While I wanted to follow and get my own licks in, I didn’t. Joey was crying, and I couldn’t have that. I wrapped him up in my arms and he sobbed, “I’m sorry,” against my chest.
“Sorry? Baby, you have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
“What for?”
“I should have been with you.”
Joey snorted. “We needed to be doing different things. I had no idea Brian would be here. Hell, didn’t know he could afford a ticket.”
“Brian?”
He nodded. “He used to have a membership at Afterglow.”
That was when Braxton walked up. “Before I revoked it for harassing Joey.”
“Oh.” That must have been what happened the first time I’d ever seen my purple-haired boy. “He’s not going to bother you again. I promise.” I kissed the top of his head.
Someone stuck out a card. “I’m happy to help you get a restraining order on the douche.” When I took the card and pocketed it, he offered a hand. “I’m Quinn Setzer. I work for Drew.” He nodded toward the doors where Drew and Ward had removed this Brian character.
“Thank you. We’ll call.”
“Please do. I don’t like my boys’ friends being harassed.” He scrunched his face up but failed to look menacing.
“Come on, hero. Let’s grab a drink and give these guys some space.” The man who walked him away with a nod was Royce Mabry. I’d met him a few weeks before at Ward’s house. He was best friends with Jax and Todd, the young man who made drinks at my birthday party. These guys were so interconnected that it was difficult to keep them all straight.
I shook my head to clear it. The only thing that mattered was Joey. I pulled him into my arms again. “You okay?”
“Am now.” He exhaled long and slow. “Maybe I need a drink.”
“Come on, let Daddy take care of you.”
We went back to the party, and the rest of the evening was busy but uneventful, and actually a great success. When all was said and done and the last guest left, we’d managed to raise two million dollars for Sage.
Joey also had a great night personally, picking up a few new sponsors and a couple of job offers. A lot of people were impressed with what he’d managed to pull off. It wasn’t only the marketing or social media, but the entire strategy. And he had great follow-up, taking a lot of pictures of the event alongside the professionals to continue promoting afterward, which could bring in additional funds. He needed to sort through all of that and decide what he wanted to do, but I wanted to make his choices easier for him.
Once the event closed, we headed over to my place. Joey practically fell asleep leaning against the car window. So tired.Inside, he headed toward the kitchen, but I put my foot down and pulled the daddy card. “Straight to bed with you.”
“What? It’s not that late.”
“You were falling asleep a minute ago. Now hush. Daddy says it’s bedtime.”
“Bedtime orbedtime?” He leered at me, seductively.
“No. Bed. Sleep. Now.” I pointed to the stairs.
“Okay, Daddy. I am tired.”
I ushered him upstairs and helped him out of his suit and into soft jammies. I tucked him into bed with a kiss and found his binkie for him. “I’m going to change and be right back.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” He popped the binkie into his mouth and closed his eyes.
“Anytime, Joey.” And I meant it. We had a lot to talk about, but that conversation needed to wait until we were rested and fresh.
When I woke up the next morning, Joey was still asleep. I was guessing it was a combination of all the planning, worry over it, and that asshole Brian fucking with him, that simply wiped him out. Well, he could sleep longer while I went downstairs and made breakfast.
The scent of coffee, eggs, and toast didn’t bring him down, so I put it all on a tray and took it up. When I opened the door with my foot and stepped inside, he peeked up from the blankets. “French toasties?”
“Nope. No syrup in bed. Here. Sit up.”
