I hang up and change my clothes right there, kicking my adult outfit into the floor of the closet. The outfit is a t-shirt and shorts, dark blue with spaceships and stars on them. I love this outfit, even more so when I'm diapered because the extra padding can be easily seen under the thin fabric. Maybe tomorrow.
My food is cooled enough to eat quickly and I grab a bottle of water to take back to bed with me. I make a pitstop to the bathroom to brush my teeth and relieve my bladder beforegrabbing Koka and Kola and going back to the playroom. I pull the blanket over us and settle in with a book. It's nearly ten now and I make sure to set the alarm on my phone before snuggling in.
When I wake up the next morning to my alarm, I'm surprised. Not because I'm in the playroom or even because I'm hard. Those two things make sense.
I'm confused because my thumb is firmly in my mouth and I was sucking on it. I give myself plenty of time to wake up, but keep my thumb in my mouth. I've sucked on my fingers before, mostly when I'm shy. Like when Remi took me to the club or usually when I'm overwhelmed too, but sucking my thumb? I haven't done that in a good while. It's usually my body and mind's way of telling me that I want to regress more than I typically do.
I shake those thoughts, unsure if Remi is cool with that. We've talked about it before, but I like the dynamic we have. He cooks for me, plays, colors, even does bath time. He's okay with the diapers, but I don't know if he would be okay with me regressing to nearly nonverbal and needing a pacifier and bottle.
My morning routine is the same as it's been for a while. I shower, dress, remember to grab my clothes from the playroom and toss them into my dirty clothes hamper. Remi texts me a good morning right at six-thirty, his usual wake up time.
As I'm walking out the door, my phone starts to ring. I pray that it isn't Tyler calling out again but instead it's my sister. I can't remember the last time she's called me this early in the day and I'm immediately on edge. "Bea? Is something wrong?"
"Of course something's wrong," she says. I rush to the car, planning on breaking all the laws to get to her or my parents. "Mom told me you have a boyfriend?"
I stop in my tracks, hand on the door handle. My heart is still racing, but the adrenaline is leaving my body quickly. "I thought someone was hurt."
"Well, I am." I roll my eyes at her dramatics. "Why didn't you tell me you were dating someone?"
"It's not like we talk all the time," I say as I get in the car and turn the key.
"Seriously, Austin. Why didn't you say anything?"
Because while I've been living my most lonely life and not socializing, you and your husband are doing well for yourselves. Because every time I come to a family function, I'm asked over and over when I'm going to "put myself out there" or "stop spending all my time alone". I don't say anything like that so I sigh instead.
"It's new," I say instead. "We're still learning about each other, but he's coming to Mom's next week so you'll meet him there."
I can't remember if any of my family has met Remi and if they had, if they would remember him.
"I'm happy for you," Bea says. I open my mouth to say something but she beats me to it. "We've been wondering if you were going to date again after what happened."
After what happened?
After what—
"I have to go," I say. "I'm going to be late to work."
I hang up the phone and focus on driving before I start crying.
Chapter Fifteen
"Someone'sallchippertoday,"Clara says as she enters my office. She is holding a single file and I'm hoping it's what I think it is. She stops on the other side of my desk and hands it over.
I don't have much in my office as far as personal items. It's not huge, just a typical room in a three story building. The rest of our office is one large room, sectioned off for each department. My office, as much as I don't like it, is the only one with walls and a door I can close if needed.
I flip through the file and smile. It's the payment agreement from the late payment resident and she's holding up her end of the deal so far. Every fortnight, when she gets paid, she's giving a set amount on top of her monthly rent going forward. It'll take about two more months and as long as she doesn't miss a payment to us, she won't be evicted.
"I'm just ready for the holidays next week." A whole week off. I haven't told Austin I've been able to secure the wholeweek just yet. I'm not technically off, but I'll be working from home. Which means I'm going to try and work from Austin's home or have him come to my house. I fully plan on taking him and picking him up from work for the three days he works next week.
I'm going to be working on looking at the campground we'll be visiting, doing some research on previous owners, what the camp was used for, potential for it. I'll have to put together some spreadsheets and reports for cost to upkeep and bookers and such. All of that can be done while Austin is at work.
"Are you doing anything with that new boyfriend of yours?"
I didn't lie to Austin when I told him I've told everyone about us. Even those in my office know that I'm in a relationship. They don't know all the details, of course, like our dynamic or the fact that Austin was my best friend's fiancé at one point. They know I'm crazy about him and that's more than enough for me.
"Just doing the family thing," I say. "How about you and your family?"
"Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in the morning. The kids go feral for Santa at the end. Then we're going to be going to my Dad's. After which, Dave will have to rummage around in our closet to find the elf so we can bring her back this holiday season."
