“I know you like that sort of thing, and I should have thought of it sooner.” Especially since I’d been thinking about what to buy for bath time. This was all new to me, and I hated that it took him pointing out what I was lacking, but I needed to learn and that had to come from him. “We can shop online or go out.”
“If we go out, then we get things right away. I don’t have to wait.”
I raised an eyebrow. “My, that sounds like someone is getting spoiled.”
Joey bit his bottom lip and squirmed, which I was learning were his tells for not wanting to admit something. “Me?”
“Come here.” I pulled him onto my lap and kissed him. “I love spoiling you. Let’s get dressed and see what stores we can find.”
“Yay!” He ran around the living room with his arms in the air before dashing up the stairs.
I was in so much trouble, and I was going to love every second of it.
Chapter ten
December
The proverbial shoe was going to drop. Right? Or an anvil? That’s what I expected since that’s how my life had been going. Instead, things were getting better, and I had a hard time trusting that.
We were almost finished with the fundraiser. I’d done a ton of promotions, Vince had personally reached out to a lot of new people, and the event was coming up soon. We had enough RSVPs already to show it would be a great turnout, and even better, those who weren’t going to be there were still donating. Win-win!
But Daddy’s best friendwouldbe there. He was coming early to spend time with Vince. Meeting him had my stomach in knots. If he didn’t like me…
I squashed that thought.
I got cleaned up and ready to go. And headed over to Daddy’s house. Despite my brain reassuring my anxiety that it would be fine, my tummy was still queasy when I opened the door. “Vince?”
“Upstairs, Joey.” Vince’s deep voice floated down from the upper level.
I took a deep breath and went up. At the top, he grabbed me, pulling me into a nice, warm, and tight hug. “Mmm…” I nuzzled against his solid pecks. This was rapidly becoming my favorite place—even better than my closet.
“Meet Grant.” He kissed the top of my head before turning me to face the game room.
His friend stood there, leaning his butt against the pool table. I would have known him without Daddy Vince introducing him, because he looked exactly like his picture, with his charming boy-next-door looks and unruly mop of blond curls. Vince had more than a few pictures of them up around the house, making it obvious that they were as close as brothers.
Grant smiled, his dark blue eyes sparkling with mirth, and extended his hand.
I shook it and smiled back. “Hi.”
“Nice to finally meet you. Vince has told me a lot about you.”
“Not bad, I hope.”
“No. Actually, surprisingly good. For once, seems as if my man Vincent has some taste.” He slung an arm around Vince’s shoulder.
“Well. That’s all super interesting but Daddy has said next to nothing about you.” When I realized I’d called him daddy, I slapped my hand over my mouth and looked at Vince with wide eyes. Had I screwed up?
Grant snorted. “Don’t worry about that, man. I always suspected this guy had a well…less than straight side.” He laughed again, shaking Vince’s shoulders. Vince’s face turned pink, and he flipped Grant the birdie finger as he pulled away.
“I was just kicking Grant’s ass in pool.” He cleared his throat and pointed to the table, obviously to change the subject.
But Grant was having none of that. He threw his arm over my shoulders next, and winked at me, slyly. “Guess this means I’mUncleGrant to you, right?”
“Oh dear God.” Vince covered his face with one hand.
Grant’s teasing fit my evil streak, though. And my internal little was eating this up. “Unca Grant! Yeah. Is Daddy really beating you?”
“Nope. Your daddy lies.”
