Daddy’s Picky Eater (Blue Collar Daddies in the City #8)

5. Dexter

5

DEXTER

I stared at my phone, hurt and disappointed that I’d done something to really upset Augie, especially when he wasn’t feeling well. I didn’t understand what I’d done, and I couldn’t stop beating myself up for it.

After two days of single-word responses or being left on “read,” I decided to get some real answers…from Brayden.

And that meant a text to Ethan. Can I bring your boy dessert and see what he knows about Augie? I think he’s mad at me but I don’t know why.

Ethan read it quickly but took a few minutes to respond, probably checking with Brayden first. Yeah, come by. We’re having spaghetti and meatballs for dinner if you want to join us. Dinner at 6. Dessert after 6:30.

I’ll be there at 6.

Bray says he doesn’t know much, but he’ll call Augie to make sure he’s okay.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about the fact that Augie hadn’t shared his concerns with Brayden. It could have meant that Augie wasn’t that upset and he just wasn’t into me. Which I would respect. But it could have also meant he was so upset that he didn’t want to tell Brayden out of fear it would get back to me. Either way, I wouldn’t rest until I had a real answer, so I packed up some eclairs and headed home to shower and change before meeting my friends for dinner.

Ethan was a decent chef. He didn’t use exotic flavors, but everything tasted good, and a giant plate of pasta was exactly what I needed after the past few days. By the time I was fully stuffed and Brayden was itching to see inside the pink box, I couldn’t keep my questions at bay any longer.

“So, has Augie mentioned anything about our date on Saturday?” I opened the box of eclairs and shoved them toward Brayden as a bit of incentive to start blabbing.

“Ooh, chocolate canoes!” He reached in and pulled one out before I could snatch the box back. “Thank you, Mister Dexter.”

I grinned and nudged the box toward Ethan.

He took one, but I didn’t expect him to take more than a bite. Ethan was one of those healthy types. As an actual chef, I didn’t have that kind of restraint. I loved food and liked to try everything. As it was, I spent way more time in the gym working off what I taste-tested than I wanted to…and still had a nice layer of padding around the middle.

“You’re welcome, Little one. So, have you talked to Augie?”

Brayden huffed dramatically and leaned back in his chair with a smudge of chocolate on his cheek. “He had the best day of his life, okay!”

“He did?”

“Brayden!” Ethan spoke deep and quiet in his Daddy voice. “Manners.”

Brayden flinched and looked contrite. “Sorry, but yeah, he had a great time with the kites and really likes you. A lot.” He glanced at me and shrugged. “So much that he can’t see you again.”

“What?” Ethan and I both asked the obvious question at the same time.

“Why, Brayden? Did I do something to upset him?” Not only was I confused by that, but I hated that Augie felt like he couldn’t see me again. “Please tell me what he told you.”

“It’s cuz you’re a foodie.” Brayden popped the last bite in his mouth and reached for another, before Ethan shook his head to stop him.

“You can take the rest to work tomorrow to share with your friends there.”

I ran my palm behind my neck and considered that. “Why does being a foodie matter to Augie? Does he not like…foodies?”

“Augie has…food issues. Like, he’s picky. And not in ways that make sense. He thinks it makes people mad or something.” Brayden reached for his juice and finished it off. “I don’t get it, but he’s weird like that.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “He’s not weird. He’s just…particular about what he likes to eat. It’s not a big deal.”

I scoffed. “Well, Augie thinks it is since he never wants to see me again.” I tapped my fingers on the table and considered my options. “Is there something he does like that I can try to win him over with?”

Brayden thought about it for a moment. “Well, he loves French fries, but not the crinkly kind. Or the skinny kind. Just the regular kind.”

“The regular kind?” That was wholly unhelpful. “Okay. Anything else?”

“Um, bagels. But only the plain kind and plain cream cheese. But not too much or too little, so let him spread it himself.”

“Okay, I can work with that.” I finished the water in my glass, ready to excuse myself so they could get on with their evening routine. “Anything else?”

“Bananas and grapes are fine. But not grapes with seeds. And…” He scrunched his eyes up as he worked really hard to concentrate. “Oh, oh, oh. Pancakes and butter. No syrup.”

“No syrup, huh?” That was surprising, but I was starting to understand why Augie was acting the way he did. Kinda. “Well, thank you so much, Brayden. I really appreciate your help, and I just hope Augie is willing to give me one more chance to at least be his friend.”

Brayden nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll tell him you’re nice and won’t get mad at him. Bagels will help.”

“Of course I wouldn’t get mad at him for not liking some foods. That’s the last thing he has to worry about.” I pushed back from the table and stood up.

“Actually, it’s the first thing he always thinks about.” Brayden turned to Ethan. “Right, Daddy? Right? He always thinks you’re gonna get mad at him.”

Ethan looked up at me with a sad smile. “Yeah, he kinda does. But if you let him choose his foods, you should be okay.”

“I can do that.” I grabbed my dishes and carried them to the sink. “Thanks so much for dinner, Ethan. That was delicious.” I walked over to Brayden and squeezed his shoulder. “And thank you for the intel. I hope the eclairs are sufficient payment for your services.”

“Yup. I work for snacks anytime you want, Mister Dexter.” He briefly hugged my waist. “Good luck with Augie. He needs a Daddy like you.”

“Thanks, I’m gonna need some luck with him.” Because I needed a boy like him too.