James was curious about that answer as well. Mentally he made a note to remember to look up Liam Groves later once he got home. He wasn’t much of a reader, not like his brothers, but the series did sound interesting. And with James’s suddeninterest in age regression, it would be easier to read about the dynamic than talking to Michael. James did not want to go to his older brother. Not when it was something that Mchael lived for and James was merely curious.
Josh lifted his chin as if in challenge. “I enjoy the series. Liam has personal experience with age regression and it shows in his stories.”
Luca leaned forward. “Wait! Are you a Daddy? How did I not know this?”
James wanted away from this conversation. There were certain things about his friends that he just didn’t want to know. And the subject was hitting too close to the thoughts that he’d been trying to shove down.
“That is quite a personal question,” Josh responded with a frown.
Not that his stern tone mattered to Luca, who bounced with excitement. “Do you belong to a club? I’ve been to the private one couple hours from here. Have you? It’s private and well run. Do you have a little?”
Dawson nudged Luca’s shoulder.
“What?” Luca asked. “Curious minds want to know!”
“You’re just being nosy,” Dawson accused.
Look at Dawson coming to Josh’s defense. Dawson barely spoke most of the time. And he was not happy about Luca bombarding Josh with questions.
“Can I have my book back?” Josh asked, holding out his hand.
“On one condition,” Luca said sweetly.
“You can borrow it once I’m done,” Josh said.
“Yes!” Luca hissed then handed the book back.
Josh shook his head as he tucked the book under his arm. He pulled a ten from his wallet and passed it over. “Thanks.”
James nodded.
“I guess I’ll go upstairs and be bored on my couch!” Luca said dramatically.
Dawson chuckled. “Don’t eat all the pizza this time.”
Luca rolled his eyes. “I would never!”
He would. He totally would. James finished Josh’s transaction, adding the change to their tip jar.
Josh had taken his book and cup to the corner table where Scott usually hung out.
James rubbed his chest. He didn’t miss Scott quite yet, but he was used to his brother hanging out at the coffee shop, doing his homework, while James worked his shift. He’d been fine with Scott wanting to spend a few weeks back home. Really, it was fine. James had work at both the firehouse and the coffee shop. He was fine on his own. Completely fine.
The door opened and three young women walked in. Followed by an older couple. A steady stream of customers kept him and Dawson hopping. For the first thirty minutes of his shift, he and Dawson worked to get the orders out. The small coffee shop filled with patrons as the sun began to set outside the large picture windows. James didn’t have time to miss his brother or wonder just how kinky Josh was.
If he did think about it, James could admit that Josh did give off the same Daddy vibes as Michael’s partner Finn, but he was also a little mischievous like Jackson.
With a shake of his head, James didn’t know why he was suddenly being surrounded by reminders of age regression.
After he and Scott had found Michael’s chest of little things, they’d talked about Michael’s needs. James had done a little research and over the last couple of years had gotten to witness Michael as a little. James thought his older brother was super cute decked out in his play clothes with a pacifier. Michael was still the person that James respected and loved. Finding out that Michael was a little hadn’t changed James’s perception of him.
In all that time, James had never been curious.
James had been so focused on the move to Surf City, getting Scott ready for school, then finding jobs. Once he had all that taken care of, James was focused on becoming a firefighter. Now…now James wasn’t sure what to do with himself.
He couldn’t fast track the next six months when he had to complete his hours of training. That was one of the reasons that James had kept his job at the coffee shop. He needed to fill his time. James hated being idle. Plus, Luca and Dawson had become family to him.
Even when James wasn’t on the schedule, he and Scott usually hung around. He jumped in when needed but James just liked the atmosphere of the Coffee Cove and the customers were great.
