Daddy ran a finger over the spot. “Yes, you’ve got a knot. We need to ice it.”
“On it,” one of Henry’s daddies called out. Mitchell came in with a towel and a bag of ice a couple minutes later.
“Thanks, Mitchell.” He left us alone again. Daddy wrapped the bag in the towel and set it on my head.
“Owie. Owie. Owie.”
“I’m sorry, little one, but this is the best way to get the swelling down. Now, back to why you were running.”
“I was excited to give you the picture I made. For your fridge. Do you like it?”
Daddy picked it up with his free hand and gave it a look. “I do, it’s perfect and you did such good job. It will look wonderful on my fridge.” He kissed my forehead, away from the owie. “But what’s the rule about running in the house.”
With a heavy sigh, it was time to be a big boy and admit I’d been bad. “Not to do it. I was excited, Daddy butI’m sorry.” Would he punish me? We hadn’t talked about punishments or limits.
Daddy was quiet for a long time. Too long. It worried me I’d already screwed this up.
“Sweetheart, you’re thinking too hard. Want to tell me what’s got you tensing up?”
“You’re gonna break up with me. I messed up again.” And back into tears I went.
“Jamie, I just got you and I have no intention of letting you go. You had an accident and while I’m not happy about you getting hurt, I’m not mad at you either. If we’re going to do this, be in a relationship that is, we have to communicate or there’s no hope.”
Daddy’s words sizzled in my brain before they sunk in. “You want to keep me?”
“Yes, Jamie. I fully intend to keep you though you’re making yourself sound like a pet.”
“Daddy’s pet. Can I be a sloth?”
“Sweetheart, you can be any animal you like as long as you take good care of my boy. Deal?”
I snuggled in, all warm and comfy. “Deal, Daddy.”
Chapter Four
Timothy
After I helped Jamie get into his cute animal print pajamas for bed, I tucked him in beside Henry under the unicorn canopy. “Goodnight, sweet boy.” With a quick press of my lips to his forehead, Jensen, Mitchell, and I left them to sleep.
“Scotch?” Jensen tipped the bottle at me.
A warm welcome from a nerve calmer was just what the doctor ordered. “Yes, please.” The three ofus relaxed, drinks in hand. The silence between us was almost comforting. Had I ever had friends who lived the lifestyle before? Other couples outside of the club? Even with Jensen, we never met away from Cordes. Man, I’d really lived my life in a shell. This right here, was what my life needed. Good friends and an adorable boy, the path was getting brighter with each passing day.
“Isn’t it funny how quickly things change? Take for instance Mitchell and I,” Jensen kissed his partner, having somehow read my thoughts. “We’d been friends for decades and I’d been in love with him for equally as long. One day we wandered into Henry’s bookstore, and everything clicked into place, and our lives were forever changed for the better.”
“Yeah.” I stared at the glass and contemplated his story as the clear cubes swirled through the amber liquid. “That’s a beautiful meet-cute though.”
“That it was, and it was also at a time when our three hearts were in need. Tim, I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and when we second guess the chances we’re given, we lose out.” Jensen was wise beyond his years and watching as he and Mitchell gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes, it really hit me how badly I longed for the same. Not a poly relationship, per se, but a soul deep love such as theirs and what they had with Henry.Anyone who saw the three of them together witnessed their love firsthand.
“Understood. But what if,” I paused for longer than I’d intended but they didn’t push me to finish. “But what if I fuck it up? Again?”
“Each relationship is different. Each boy is different. Hell, as Daddy’s we’re different with each boy. We may claim to be the same, and while we possess the same values, cares, and concerns, the boys are actually what molds and shapes us into their ideal daddies. When that doesn’t happen, in my opinion, it’s because it wasn’t the right Daddy-boy combo. Does that make any sense?” This was Mitchell’s first time having a boy, but Jensen had lived the lifestyle for years and knew what he was talking about. I’d do well to listen.
“There’s just something about Jamie that calls to me. I’ve never had that happen before. With each boy it’s always been about playtime and really what they could get from me to be honest.”
Jensen chuckled. “Yes, I’ve had a few greedy boys myself.” Mitchell sat beside him on the couch, his feet on Jensen’s lap as he mindlessly massaged them. “If it feels right, there’s a reason, and the way that boy looks at you says it all.”
Whether or not I could do this was no longer a question. That sweet boy wanted me, and my heart was ready to try.
