“Yay. Let’s do it.” He rushed down the stairs.
“Walk, Joey. You’ll fall.” His steps slowed as I followed him down, and I heard him trying to stifle a giggle. “Silly boy.”
While I got our cocoa ready, he busied himself moving all the gifts he’d received for Christmas upstairs. Plus, since I’d purposefully had him put his stuff from his apartment in theextra room downstairs, he needed to move that too. It took a few trips, but before he finished, his phone binged, and I heard him answer. “Hello.”
After a few minutes of silence, he spoke again, and I wasn’t happy with his tone of voice. He was mad. “It’s none of your business. No. I don’t have to do anything. Fuck off.” I heard the phone drop, and I moved the hot water off the burner, turning it off, then rushed out to the living room.
“Joey? What’s wrong? Who was that?”
He looked like he was about to explode. “Tony, my stupid brother.”
“What did he say?” I already wanted to kill the man without knowing what he said or anything else about him. But if he put that expression on my Joey, he needed his ass beat.
“He. He.” Joey dropped to the floor. “I thought he was going to say they missed me. And he didn’t. He demanded to know where I was. He said I was a horrible person for putting my own selfish bullshit in front of the family.” Tears fell down his cheeks, and he sobbed.
“Joey.” I sat beside him and pulled him onto my lap, wrapping him in my arms. I let him cry as I rubbed his back and gently rocked him. I murmured softly. “He’s wrong. They should be missing you. You’re a jewel, and they didn’t treat you right. They don’t deserve your company. I’ve got you.”
When he finally cried himself out, and nothing was left but sniffles, he pulled away to look up at me but held onto my shoulders. His eyes were rimmed in red, and it broke my heart. “Thank you. I…” He rubbed his face over the side of his arm.
“Take your time, but you don’t have to say anything. I’ve always got your back.”
“I know. And that makes me happy. I guess I didn’t realize how hurt I’ve been over them. You know? Why can’t they be cool about things? Why can’t my brother not be such a jerk?”
I pulled him back into my arms and kissed the top of his head. “I don’t know the answers to that, but you have me. And Grant. And my folks. They love you.”
He exhaled loudly. “Thank you. That does help. I should know by now that the family you choose is nearly always better than the one you’re born into.”
“Not always, Joey. But maybe when it comes to your brother.”
Joey laughed hard and genuinely. “You’re right about that.”
“Good. Now, let’s get back to the cocoa, and then a long, hot bath before bed? How’s that sound?”
“Uh…perfect.”
“And you know what else?”
“What?”
I stood and pulled him to his feet as well. “I’m yours forever if you want me.”
Chapter twelve
New Year’s Eve
It was time for the big party at Afterglow for New Year’s Eve, and this year was going to be the best ever. This year, I had my own Daddy. I didn’t have to be sad watching everyone else. We could dance, sing, and even go back into No Limits together.
But first, we had to get dressed. I helped Vince pick out some clothes from what I’d bought him for Christmas. We went with black leather pants. They were genuine cowhide and soft as butter with laces down each side that pulled tight, and boy did Daddy Vince have the thighs and ass for them. They were lined on the inside, though, and they would get hot. Worth it for how sexy they looked, and yeah, I wanted to show my man off. But I didn’t want him to suffer too much, so his top would be a loose, sleeveless tank with alternating net panels, making it look striped. The material was also black but had silver sparkles in the netting. I didn’t know how they made it, but it looked sharp and great for the club. He wore a pair of lace-up boots and would also have his light jacket, because it was a bit chilly out.
My outfit, on the other hand, was a challenge. I had tons of clothes and wanted to pick something that complemented Vince without being matchy. Plus, it was a great opportunity to promote my site. My sponsors would love it.
I pulled out all my choices and tossed them on the bed so I could shoot a panoramic video of the spread. I tagged my sponsors who had something in the pile. And posted.
But what was I actually going to wear?
I called Tucker. It’d been a while since we got together, and he promised to come to the club.
“Joey. Hey. I’m so excited. What are you wearing?”
