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

Epilogue

AUGIE

I woke up to the sound of Dexter's soft snoring next to me and smiled. His arm was still wrapped protectively around my waist as it usually was when we slept.

I snuggled back against Daddy’s warm body and just listened to him breathe. Nothing in the world was better than waking up with my Daddy every day.

It had been a month since I moved into his house, and each day still felt like the best dream ever. Daddy took such good care of me and always made sure I had everything I needed and wanted…even before I knew I needed or wanted it.

After a few minutes of just admiring his handsome face, I carefully slipped out from under his arm. I hardly ever woke up first, so I wanted to make the most of this special occasion as I tiptoed to the kitchen.

Dexter opened his eyes and stretched just as I returned to the bedroom with a breakfast tray. "Good morning, Daddy!" I said cheerfully. "I made you breakfast in bed!"

"You did?” He sat upright and leaned against the upholstered headboard. “That was sweet of you, baby boy." He smiled sleepily at me and then inspected the tray. "What a nice surprise. Come cuddle with Daddy while I eat."

I put the tray down over his lap and carefully climbed back under the covers beside him.

Daddy picked up a piece of the buttered toast I made for him and took a big bite. "Mmm, delicious. You used the cinnamon bread that I love. Such a good boy."

I beamed with pride, feeling a warm glow inside at making Daddy happy. Every time he praised me was like winning the lottery. Which, I kinda did as far as Daddies were concerned. "I love you, Daddy. Thank you for being my winning ticket."

"Um, you’re welcome.” Dexter chuckled and held up the center bite of his toast to my mouth. “I love you too, Augie. My precious boy."

I was bustling around the kitchen when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it!” I ran to answer it. It was my friends for a cupcake decorating party. Daddy baked them for us and put out a huge assortment of decorations. He even said we can make as big of a mess as we needed without any consequences. I just had to help clean up, which was fine with me. I loved helping Daddy in the kitchen.

Brayden walked in first and gave me a hug. “Hey, Augs.”

Dylan and Max were right behind him and each gave me hugs too.

"Hey, guys! I’m glad you all came." I closed the door and ushered them toward the kitchen. "I've got all the supplies already set up for us."

The four of us took over the kitchen, and within minutes, the quiet space erupted in giggles and silly songs as we carefully frosted and decorated our cupcakes. It was a bit of a mess, and there were sprinkles scattered everywhere, but we were having so much fun that I didn’t even worry about the cleanup.

It was worth the effort.

"Augs, you're so lucky to have a Daddy who doesn't mind us making a mess like this." Max licked frosting off his fingers. “My Daddy doesn’t like sticky messes.” He giggled and then made a funny face with his eyebrows up high. “Well, some sticky messes are okay, but not the kitchen kind.”

I chuckled and then sighed in contentment. "I know, Daddy Dexter is the best. He takes such good care of me and never gets mad.” I looked at each of my friends. “I finally get why you guys love your Daddies so much."

"Aren't we the luckiest boys in the world?" Dylan grinned. He had two Daddies, so he was doubly lucky.

"Definitely."

Just then, Dexter appeared in the doorway. He grimaced at first and then just smiled and shook his head as he surveyed the chaotic scene. "You boys having fun?”

“Yes, Daddy!” We all responded in unison. A stranger would have thought we had rehearsed it, but we were just used to answering the Daddies in sync.

“Good.” He came in and took a closer look. “They look amazing. Good enough to eat.” He poked my side in my ticklish spot.

"They are!" I giggled and arched away from his poking finger. "Did you see the special one I made for you?"

I pointed to a cupcake decorated with a big red heart.

Daddy’s eyes shone a little brighter as he smiled. "I love it, baby. It’s perfect." He kissed the top of my head. "I'll leave you to your party. Just give a shout if you need anything."

As Dexter left the room, I looked around at my friends and never felt more at home. My heart was bursting with happiness because I had the most caring Daddy and the best friends anyone could ask for.

“Daddy!” I shouted, just like he told me.

He appeared just a second later. “What, sweetheart?”

“Just wanted to tell you I love you.”

He smiled and nodded as he held my gaze. “I love you too, baby boy. Always.”

Living on the edge has its advantages. Like feelings that come without anyone else’s help.

Johnny Sutter is bored ninety percent of the time. His job is boring. His friends are boring. His life is, you guessed it. Boring AF. But ten percent of the time, he’s scaling mountains, jumping off cliffs, or flying through the air on a dirt bike. Those are the times he lives for because they’re the only time he feels anything. Excited. Happy. Alive.

Sawyer Maddox is over the apps. Meeting guys who just want to sneak in and out of his house in the dead of night is not his idea of finding love. But what else is there? He’s a bit of a loner and can’t just walk up to a guy and drop pickup lines as if he had game. He didn’t.

So when Sawyer is out for a walk in the park and an out-of-control boy comes flying down a hill on roller blades, he doesn’t expect a simple save to turn into anything real. But when it becomes clear the boy needs a Daddy to keep him from doing dangerous stunts for attention and affection, he’s ready to step into the role.