"Ooh, sounds exciting." Austin wiggles his eyebrows suggestively and I roll my eyes. Orion hands over my drink and I thank him before saying bye to both and heading back outside. The weather isn't supposed to be too bad this weekend. No snow or rain predicted, which is a plus. I packed both of us sweaters and jackets just in case though.
Orion has at least a half hour before he's done. Riley is curled up in the backseat of the car. He barely lifts his head when I get behind the wheel. We're dropping him off on the way as well. I text Remi while I sip on my coffee. It's perfect. I have actually left making the coffee in the morning to Orion. After a bit of back and forth, he finally convinced me that he loves doing it and it's the least he can do for me. I tried to argue that I don't do what I do for him and expect something in return, but he wasn't having it.
I let Remi in on Austin looking tired at work while he's texting their plans for the weekend. We have another playdate scheduled for the first weekend of March, which was the only time everyone, Littles and caregivers alike, could get together. Remi calls me instead of responding with another text.
"Hey." I put him on speaker phone and place the phone in the holder on my dash.
"Sorry, it was easier to call you. I'm trying to set up this thing before Austin gets home. It's so damn complicated though."
I laugh when there's a grunt that follows this statement. "What did you get him this time?"
"I'm not telling you because you'll call me asimpagain." He spits the word out, but it just makes me laugh louder. I learned that word from one of the Littles at the club and it fit Remi perfectly. There's a grunt and then a curse that comes over the line.
"Seriously, what is it?" Riley pokes his head between the front seats and I reach up to scratch between his ears.
"It's a tent cover to go over the bed in his playroom. It's supposed to fit the frame, but I'm worried if I stretch it any further, it's going to rip. This is definitely a two person job. It's meant to look like a castle."
"That actually sounds cute, so I'll refrain from calling you names again. Send me a picture when you have it done."
"If I get it done." I can hear him take a deep breath and blow it out. "Okay, I have to get back to this. Hopefully he likes it and forgets about work for a bit. Have fun this weekend."
"Same to you," I say and click the phone off.
Riley's low throat growl catches my attention and I look around the seat at him. His nose is pressed against the glass, facing the back of the coffee shop. I turn to see what he's looking at. The sun is setting and with the taller buildings and minimal lighting back here, dark shadows are cast all around.
It doesn't keep me from seeing that some man is standing way too close to another guy. My blood boils when I realize that it's Orion this mystery man is backing into a corner. Without thinking, I'm out of the car and running across the parking lot.
I can hear Orion talking, asking the guy to leave.
"Come on, I'm just asking you a question." The guy tries to step closer just as I get within arm's reach. I grab the guy's shoulder and spin him around. His eyes go wide and he stumbles back. Orion is immediately at my side, stepping behind me slightly.
"Get away from him." I puff up my chest, rolling my shoulders, and balling up my fists to be ready for whatever this guy brings.
"Who are you?" The guy is clearly drunk. It's way too early for anyone to smell this much like booze.
"I'm that guy's boyfriend," I say, dropping my voice and stepping closer to the guy. "And who are you?"
I have at least five inches on this guy and the muscles. He seems to realize this as he steps away. "I was just asking him his name, no harm."
"When you don't listen to someone telling you no, that is harmful." I stare him down, feeling the adrenaline pumping through my body. I'm not one to actually start a fight, but I'll defend those I love as needed.
The guy seems to sense this and holds up his hands. I don't move until he's far enough away, walking toward a line of cars. I hope he isn't driving home, but I see there's a group of guys around a truck that he seems to be heading to. I turn back to Orion and cup his face in my hands. His eyes are wet and I can see his bottom lip poking out a bit.
I wrap him in my arms and hold him tight against me. His arms wrap around me as well. I kiss the top of his head. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he mumbles against my chest. I give him another couple seconds before I pull back and look into his eyes again. They're still watery, but he isn't crying. The adrenaline is leaving my body but I can see he's still shaken up a bit. "I'm just ready to go."
"Come on." I take his hand and we walk to the car. I don't let go until he's sitting in the passenger seat. I send another glare to the guy, not sure if he can even see me. By the time I'm pulling out of the parking lot, Orion's hand has reached over and taken mine in his. "Orion, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am. I promise. He just scared me. He came out from around the corner so I wasn't expecting him."
"I've told Remi and Austin before that there needs to be better lighting there." I turn onto the main road and lift Orion's hand to kiss it. "I'm glad you're okay, though."
We settle into a silence as I drive to the doggy care place. It's called Ruff-N-Ready and has a large, fenced in lot where the dogs can play and run around. Orion gives Riley several kisses and scratches before letting me get him out of the car. It doesn't take me but two minutes to drop him and all his things off. He has his bed, food, and his favorite toy.
When I get back to the car, Orion is still quiet but he gives me a bright smile. I give it another minute before I need to know what he's thinking. When I stop at a light, I turn to him. "What's up? You're being really quiet." I keep my voice quiet, filled with concern instead of accusing.
"You called me your boyfriend," he says finally. I'm confused for a second, but then I realize that despite us saying the L-word to each other, we've never put a title on our relationship. Not publicly, at least.
