A Camping Trip With My Stepdad Ch 01

The ride home was quiet, uncomfortably quiet. Dad, or more specifically my stepdad, had contributed greatly to the awkwardness of the situation. He was still in his business suit, and to see him having to come to school in the middle of the day made me feel terribly guilty. Yet, he had not said any word for scolding me. When he arrived later, he simply asked if I have already eaten lunch and if I am okay, which did not help at all to lessen my guilt.

I was stupid. The plan with my friends was supposed to only have a quick session of smoking at the abandoned building within the school premises, but the guys kept bringing out their own pack of cigarettes that the supposed short session was extended, until we were caught. It couldn't have been a severe violation, well it was still worse at some point, but it was my third time being caught, and despite the leniency of the school for the first two cases, I was suspended, along with other three guys, for a week. Although my dad had already known this when he received the call from school, he was still calm and never said nor did anything reprimanding on my part.

I slowly raised my head to meet his handsome and chiseled face, his five o'clock shadow defining his face in such a sexy way. "I'm sorry, dad." That was all I could utter.

He sighed and turned the steering wheel to enter our subdivision. "Let's talk at home." My stepdad wasn't particularly chatty, but some times, we would have a good chat with each other although right now, he was simply quiet. I wasn't nervous with how our talk would turn out since I have always known that he would not do anything that would make me uncomfortable, well, except being silent right now. I nodded and brought my gaze to the front as the familiar road took us home.

A few minutes passed by, we were already parking on by the house. I removed my seatbelt, so was dad, and both of us got out of the car. He checked a few things before ultimately locking the car and following me inside our home. I sat down on the couch and waited for him as he removed his blazer and set it on a chair. He walked toward me and stopped in front, towering me with his tall figure, which was probably around 6'4 at least. His eyes were looking at me, quite saddened and disappointed, which made my gut recoil in even more guilt. He placed his hands on his waist, still maintaining that eye contact with me.

Until then, I broke down. Tears streamed down my face as I sniffed and looked at him with pleading eyes. I knew I have mistaken, and it made me feel terrible for him. I reached out to grab his shirt, repeatedly saying sorry. He sighed and immediately sat by my side, putting his arms around my waist and pulling me closer to him. I pressed myself onto his hard chest and brought all my tears out while he continuously rubbed my back and the back of my head.

"It's okay. It's okay," he hushed me.

"I'm sorry, dad. I failed you. I am deeply sorry, so please forgive me." I cried harder and pulled on his clothes tighter.

"You haven't done anything to me, so please don't say sorry. Everything's fine. Trust me," he said, never stopping on comforting me with both his actions and words.

A few minutes passed by with my crying until I finally stopped, sniffling with the aftermath of my breakdown. "Have you collected yourself now?" he asked.

I nodded, resting my head on his chest.

"You know, calling me dad alone made me feel good always. I am always grateful for that, Louis." He rubbed my arms and lightly played with my hair.

"But dad, you're always there when I was young. You practically raised me, and I am always thankful for that." I temporarily detached my self from him to look at his eyes.

He chuckled, showing that sexy smile I always love to see. "Stop teasing me." He placed his hand at the back of my head and pushed me toward him, enveloping me with his masculine hug. "Let's just push that away and forgot nothing happened. Anyway, do you want to go camping with me for a week? It's a good one to pass time for your suspension and to relax before you return to school."

I was not expecting him to say that. "But what about your work, dad?" I said, still being embraced by his arms.

"Don't worry. I was working my ass off for the past few months, so they'll probably let me with that leave. And if they don't allow it, I'll just storm off the office. Who are they to tell me I can't spend my time with my son?"

That made me laugh a little and caressed my heart unexpectedly. After all, who wouldn't feel lucky in this situation? I was the one who messed up and should be apologizing relentlessly, yet I was being uplifted instead. I rubbed my forehead, still smiling. "But anyway, where will we go and when are we leaving?"

My question made him think for a little while and caress his chin. "For the location, I have one in mind, but I am not going to tell you that yet. As when, maybe we could go today?"

That was fast. I was expecting him to suggest that we would leave tomorrow morning, but maybe dad was really craving for a vacation. "Then, should we pack now?"

"We definitely should. Then we will reach the site before sunset, enough time to set up out tent." He straightened his back, suggesting that he would be standing sooner, so I detached myself from his muscular body, a bit saddened by it. "You can pack your clothes. I'll handle the rest," he said as he stood, patting my head when he left. But before he turned into the corner, he faced me, and added, "Don't feel guilty with what happened today, son. Let's just enjoy ourselves this week, shall we?"

I smiled, a hearty one, and made it really clear for him that what he said greatly cheered me up. He returned the smile and headed toward the garage.