“Yeah, sounds great. Honestly, Jamie, thanks for going out of your way. It means a great deal. I can’t wait to give you a huge old hug and meet your man, too,” he says tenderly, emotion flooding the tone of his words.
“Okay, well, I’ll send you the details of the club. I’ll see you soon, Christian.”
We disconnect the call, and I send him the location before telling John, the bouncer, to keep an eye out for an older, dark-haired version of myself.
I change, spending some time telling the guys about Christian, and they all seem happy for me reuniting with him after all this time. My life last year versus now has me taking the stage with a massive, enthusiastic smile on my face as I dance for those that holler and whistle for me to shake my glittery butt.
***
I held my older brother, squeezing the life out of him for what felt like forever. Christian was a hit at the club. Everyone loved him, and soon he was crossing the road to Corricks for late-night drinks with some other workers as I headed home for the night with Freddie on my arm. The brat had shown up asking for mocktails and chatting up the bar staff before I dragged him home with me to keep me company while Arnie was away at an interview.
Christian had felt guilty about staying out, but I had told him we had forever to catch up on old times. Arnie was away, and I would be at home waiting so see him in the morning. I’d given him a spare key, then sent him on his merry way.
Freddie and I had kept it PG13 when we got back, opting for hot chocolate and watching episodes of Buffy, describing all the filthy things we would do if Giles ever crossed our paths. Eventually calling it a night, I fell asleep questioning why Christian’s sudden appearance had seemed like an act of urgency and what tomorrow would bring.
Chapter 44
Arnie
Things were changing.
After a call from the head of a community college on the other side of the city, I decided it was now or never to leave the university and work with those less fortunate. Something I had wanted to do but was unable to until I found my financial footing in the world.
Jamie had been supportive but apprehensive, which was a given. I reassured him, though, that even if I took a drop in salary and turned left at the end of the road instead of right when my commute changed, it wouldn’t be massive overnight changes that would have the potential to impact us.
Having his support in life is something I’ll never take for granted. When he found out about my parent’s death, the upbringing through foster care, and my inevitable need for control, he was more than understanding.
He had even gone as far as researching and putting together a schedule for our new lives if I got the job I was on my way to interview for.
I was staying in a hotel provided by the college and with Jamie working tonight night; he was unable to join me, instead insisting I order room service and finish marking my students work I had been putting off so I could instead prep for this interview. Authoritative Jamie was just as sexy as submissive Jamie.
I left instructions for him; he could have Freddie over if they could control themselves. With an eye roll and a huff, Jamie earned himself a spanking right there in my greenhouse, where we had been having our discussion. Freddie’s bratty behaviour clearly at work there.
***
The interview went well. They told me more about the role in working with teens from alternative backgrounds that would attend the funded college classes on ‘living essentials’ such as how to do taxes, cut their grass and even how to cook for themselves once living alone at eighteen when the foster parents said bye to them. Clearly, since they would no longer earn them an income.
The next stage would be to meet the tutors and go over how their curriculum would go in the next semester, meaning that if I were successful with the job, I wouldn’t be starting there until September.
I filled Jamie in when he called that night.
“So, you’re back at the hotel for the night?”
“Yes, is Freddie there already?”
“Yeah, about 20 minutes ago. He met Christian at the club before we left, and it must have caught him off guard as his usual bratty shenanigans have been down to a minimum,” he laughs.
I laugh back, knowing full well that Freddie wouldn’t be able to hold it for long.
“Well, I hope he does. The last thing you want is Christian locking himself in his room for the next two weeks of his visit.”
Learning that Jamie’s brother would visit delighted me. Having only met him briefly through calls and whenever he and Jamie FaceTimed, I looked forward to getting to know him more after my interview was over and I was back home.
“No, Freddie was well warned. I may have threatened to drag him into the attic and show him the bench he would be gagged and strapped to next time the four of us scene together for him to take me seriously, but it worked.”
I grin like a proud parent. “That’s my boy.”
“You know it,” he says, winking with that cheeky boy smile I love so much.
