Chapter 5
5
Excitement bubbled up inside me and it was so hard to contain.
A daddy not only took me on a date, but one where we got to be outside with bees and nature and all those fun things. And best of all, he let Bumble come too.
But was he for real or just another poser?
As soon as Daddy Jayger opened the door, I flew out and ran straight for the playground. I didn’t know what it was about him, but since we first met all those hours ago, hee-hee , it was like I’d known him forever and the years of repressed fun burst from me.
“Daddy Jayger, this is the best place ever!”
“Why is that little one?”
I took his hand and led him around to all my favorite spots. “A sunflower garden. It’s my favorite flower, just so you know.”
“Why sunflowers?”
“Because they’re a happy flower, Daddy Jayger. They’re always smiling at you.” I smiled as wide as I could. “See, they make me smile and now you’re smiling, too.”
“Sweetheart, I can’t help but smile when I’m around you.”
That might be the bestest thing anyone had ever said to me.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Look at all the bees!”
“Careful, don’t get too close or you’ll get stung.”
“I know, Daddy Jayger, and I’ll respect their space. They make the flowers happy when they pollinate them.”
“Yes, they do. You’re a very smart and a very good boy.”
Good boy. I was somebody’s good boy and if it was only for today I’d be the best boy I could be. Happy memories for everyone! I’d try not to think about how sad I’d be when it was over. Live in the now, Trevor.
“How about we eat first, then we can explore and play on the playground. Deal?”
“Deal. Does everybody call you Daddy Jayger?”
“At the club, yes. I’m one of the handful that prefer the moniker. Is that okay?”
“Yes, makes it easier and more real for me.”
“More real?”
I shrugged. “I’ve played with some daddies that made me call them that, but it never felt right, and they weren’t very nice. With you, it does, and I like it, but I didn’t want to upset you.”
“Dear boy, it would take quite a bit for you to upset me. I’m fairly relaxed when it comes to all but your health and safety.”
Daddy Jayger grabbed the basket, and I followed him over to a beautiful, huge oak tree and watched as he placed the blanket in the shade beneath it.
“Can Bumble and I help, Daddy Jayger?”
“Why don’t you two get comfy and let Daddy spoil you today.”
“Yes, Daddy Jayger.”
Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy—I couldn’t stop saying it.
He set the containers out and removed the lids and revealed the yummy surprises.
“Oh, Daddy Jayger, you outdid yourself.”
“I did, didn’t I. What’s your favorite here?”
While I answered, he scooped out a bit of each and put it on our plates.
“Chicken strips for sure. And fries. And mac and cheese. Oooh, and a teeny tiny eggroll. Umm, I can’t choose.”
“You, dear boy, are adorable beyond words. Now, I selected many sauces for you to try. Do you have any food allergies? Probably should’ve asked that first. See, even daddies make mistakes.”
“No mistakes, Daddy Jayger. You did great. I don’t have any allergies, just stuff that’s yucky but you don’t have any of it here.”
“Good deal. Okay, sweet boy, dig in.”
I didn’t realize how hungry I was until that first bite hit my tummy. When Daddy Jayger’s face turned green when I mixed ketchup and ranch it made me giggle. Guess it wasn’t really funny, but the face he made was.
“I see how you are. You’re gonna be a boy to test his daddy, aren’t you?”
“Hee-hee, maybe. But I’m a good boy.” Whose fingers and toes are crossed Daddy Jayger will want to keep him.
“I’m sure you are. Eat up, then we can play.”
Daddy Jayger was super smart, he even remembered juice boxes and bite sized brownies for dessert.
“That was nummy, Daddy Jayger, thank you. Can we play now?”
“Let me clean this up and put it in the car, then I’ll be ready to chase you.”
“Here, Daddy Jayger, can you put Bumble in there too. I don’t want him to get dirty.” I gave Bumble a kiss and handed him off. I knew Daddy Jayger would take good care of him as he had with me.
“Will do. Be back in the shake of a lamb’s tail.”
“You’re silly, Daddy Jayger.” But it made me wonder, did lambs even have tails?
But having the attention span I did, or lack thereof I should say, a shiny ladybug flew right by me, and I had to find out where she was off to in such a hurry.
“Little one, you didn’t wait like daddy told you to.”
“Sorry Daddy Jayger, but a pretty ladybug flew by, and I had to follow her. Look, she’s taking a break on the giant sunflower.”
“That sunflower is nearly as wide as your head.”
I giggled. “They’re taller than us both!”
“Some are for sure. Now, let’s let this pretty lady enjoy her siesta . Where too next?”
“To the peacocks!”
“To the peacocks it is.”
Daddy Jayger bought some bird seed from the dispensers they had around the park and we fed them. One of them poofed up and I jumped back.
“That scared me.”
“They put on quite the show but look how beautiful it is.”
At this point, Daddy Jayger and I both had our phones out and snapped a ton of pictures. I couldn’t wait to look through them later and remember all the fun we had. Saying goodbye was gonna be so hard.
“Sweet boy, what time do you go to bed?” Daddy Jayger asked during the drive home.
“Well, I don’t sleep much but I try to be in bed around ten. Sometimes I read or play on the internet until my brain fizzles out.”
“How about when you get in bed at night you call Daddy so I can read you a bedtime story?”
My brain completely stopped.
“You— you want to read me a bedtime story?” I couldn’t stop the tears if I wanted to. They had a mind of their own.
Daddy Jayger pulled over into the nearest parking lot and handed me a tissue. “What’s wrong Trevor? If you don’t want me to read to you, I won’t. It’s not a must, just something I enjoy but if you don’t…”
“No, Daddy Jayger, it’s not that at all.” I tried to hug him, and the seatbelt stopped me, so I tried again, and it shot me back into place. “Stupid seatbelt.” Now I was full on crying like a big ‘ol baby.
Daddy Jayger unclipped the belt and pulled me across the center console. “Why are you crying then?”
“No one has ever been as nice to me as you are. Well, except for Mom. No one took me anywhere without expecting stuff in return and no one, not even once but my mom, ever offered to read me a bedtime story.”
“Well, if I’m being honest it’s a little selfish on my end. One day I hope to be in bed with you nursing you while I read to you.”
“Me too, Daddy Jayger.” I sniffled as I dragged the back of my hand over my face. “That would be so perfect. Does that mean you want to see me again?”
“It absolutely means that. And just for the record, I hate having to say goodbye to you. I wish our day could go on, but we both have to work tomorrow.”
“Stupid work.”
“Yes, sweet boy, I couldn’t agree more. Stupid work. Now, I need to stay in your mom’s good graces so let’s get you home at a decent time.”
“Okay, Daddy Jayger.” Real quick, I kissed his cheek and slid back into my seat. He snapped my belt on, and we were back on the road. But at least this goodbye wasn’t forever, and I’d get to fall asleep listening to Daddy Jayger’s sexy voice on repeat.
We pulled into an empty parking space at my apartment and my heart went thumpy- thump. I wanted to invite him in but that might be a little weird with Mom there.
“Trevor, may I kiss you goodbye?”
“I’d like that, Daddy Jayger.”
He undid our seatbelts, leaned over the console and cradled the back of my head in his hand. “I’ve waited all day for this.”
As soon as his lips touched mine it was like… whoa.
Daddy Jayger pulled back and kissed the tip of my nose. “Trevor, I could get so lost in you but now is not the time or place. I fear we may have an audience.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Words escaped me. Right now, I was a puddle of goo and my mind was fixated on what it would take to have his lips back on mine.
“You, my dear boy, are too adorable. Come on, let’s get you checked in with Mom.”
“Someone’s got stars in his eyes,” Mom said as soon as the door shut behind me.
“Best. Date. Ever.”
“From what I remember, you haven’t had that many.”
“True but he was so nice to me. We saw the peacocks and the bees, and a ladybug flew right by me. He got me all kinds of finger foods. Did I say he was nice?”
Mom grinned. “You did, love. I’m so glad it went well. He seemed very nice. A bit older, but nice.”
“He’s thirty-five and is in marketing and wants to read me a bedtime story.” I twirled around with Bumble and landed on the couch with a bounce. “I really, really like him, Mom.”
“I’m glad, sweetheart. You deserve to be treated like the prince you are. You have a big heart and no one has the right to stomp on it.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I hoped I wasn’t in over my head and that Daddy Jayger wouldn’t end up being just as shady as the others, but it didn’t feel that way. He felt like the real deal.
“I ordered pizza for dinner. How about dinner and a movie living room style?”
“I love that, Mom. What can I do to help?”
“Why don’t you pick the movie while I answer the door.”
The Secret Life of Bees for the win! What a spectacular ending to a fantastic day, though it wasn’t over yet. I still had a bedtime story coming.
After the movie, Mom kissed me goodnight and then I got ready for bed. I popped out on the fire escape for my nightly wish, then hurried inside to cuddle up with Bumble and call Daddy Jayger. Throughout the movie, Brandon and I had been texting, and he was super excited for me.
Right at ten, I facetimed Daddy Jayger.
“There’s my sweet boy. How was your evening with Mom?”
“Hi, Daddy Jayger.” I waved at the phone. “It was nice. We had pizza and watched The Secret life of Bees?”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” He winked. “Do you have a favorite bedtime story?”
“I do but it’s one Mom wrote for me when I was younger. It’s about a sweet prince. I don’t have a printed copy, though.” I needed to get her to write it down and try to publish it.
“Well, I have one here.” He waved a book with a blue cover and lots of shiny night stars on the front. “It’s got magic and fun new friends. It’s called Genie’s Boy by TL Travis.”
“Ooohhh, that sounds fun. Will you read it to me?”
“I’d love nothing more, sweet boy. Get you and Bumble comfy.”
Once we were situated, he began. “This book doesn’t start out happy, but I promise you it has a happy ending.”
“Okay, Daddy Jayger. I trust you.”
By the time he finished the story, I was sitting up straight, Bumble clutched tightly in my arms.
“That was so sad. I can’t believe he lost his parents, but he had a new magical daddy and lots of new friends and the bad guy was gone forever.”
“He did. This story just goes to prove that love can heal. You never forget the ones you loved but your heart can learn to love and trust again.”
“Still, I can’t imagine being without Mom. She’s the best.”
“From what little of her I know, I see that too. Now, tuck in, sweet boy, it’s time for daddy to say goodnight.”
“Night Daddy Jayger. When can I see you again?”
“How about next Saturday? Want to come to Daddy’s house and play?”
Did I? That hadn’t worked out well before. Better to know now rather than later once my heart went too far.
“Sounds fun, Daddy Jayger.”
“Until tomorrow night, sweet boy.”
“Tomorrow night?”
“Yes, our nightly bedtime story time.”
“You’re gonna read to me every night?”
“That’s the plan unless you don’t want me to.”
“No-no, I do, it’s just that this feels too good to be true.”
“I feel the same way. Sweet dreams, Trevor.”
“Sweet dreams, Daddy Jayger.”