Kenzie’s Perfect Daddies (Little Hearts Club #3)

2. Chapter One

Chapter One

Beau

“I’m sorry to have missed your niece’s birthday, but the wedding sure was fun!” Beau said excitedly, sliding into his Middle mindset as his Daddy drove them toward Little Hearts Club.

“She’s more than happy to be the first to come stay at our house instead. Sure, we missed the chance to see everyone else, but Carly is not at all disappointed. She said this arrangement is even better than us being at her birthday.” Sebastian placed his hand on Beau’s thigh. “Besides, there’s no way we would miss a chance to not only attend Addy and Tobias’ wedding but to get to visit Vegas as well.”

That was very true. Beau had never been to Vegas, and he had been telling Daddy he wanted to go for a long time. He’d finally seen the sights there. Daddy had kept them in Vegas a few extra days so they could explore. It had been so much fun, and Beau was super grateful for the reprieve from the unsettled feeling he’d been having of late.

The last time Beau had felt this kind of restlessness, he ended up losing Kenzie. Now he was feeling that way again, and it made it hard to concentrate. He hated keeping secrets from Sebastian, but since it hadn’t ended well when he’d tried to discuss his feelings with Kenzie, he was terrified that if he tried again, this time he might lose Sebastian. He couldn’t— wouldn't — lose another person he loved so deeply.

Beau knew that his Daddy understood and accepted that he still had feelings for his ex-girlfriend although Sebastian hadn’t met her yet since Kenzie had disappeared from the club before he had joined. They’d talked when they first started exploring their relationship and when Beau had told Sebastian he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to love Sebastian the way he deserved because he loved Kenzie so much, Sebastian had told him they’d see how things went.

“It’s possible to love more than one person deeply.”

The words Sebastian had used, while they had surprised him at first, echoed in Beau’s head for months. He’d never considered that as something he’d want or need, but Sebastian’s wise words had opened his eyes to what had been missing. It felt right, somehow. He just didn’t know how to tell his Daddy.

Letting his wandering thoughts go, Beau settled back to enjoy the drive and slip into the headspace he needed to have the best time he could at the club that night. It was his time to lose his worries and just be. He couldn’t wait.

Sebastian

S omething was bothering his Little boy and Sebastian was at a loss for how to drag the information out of Beau. He needed to know what had made his boy unhappy. How was he meant to fix it if he didn’t know what was broken? Maybe he was simply being daft.

“Stupid”, not “ daft”. Almost twenty years since I moved to America, and I still fall back on the British expressions my parents use.

It seemed that no matter how long Sebastian had been away from England, he couldn’t seem to completely wipe the British words and phrases from his speech. It had gotten better over the years, but he still reverted back to them occasionally. Especially if his emotions were high.

It certainly didn’t help that his parents had continued to use the terms and phrases throughout his life. Sebastian had always wanted to have as few differences from those around him as possible. He wasn’t one to want the spotlight and somehow a British accent in America drew a lot of attention. More times than not it was the kind of attention that was unwelcome.

Sebastian parked the car as close to the club doors as he could and rounded the vehicle to help his boy out of the car. It had taken a bit to get Beau used to waiting for him to come open the door. When Beau was in Daddy mode, it had been his job to open the doors for others, and it had been almost automatic. When he was in his Middle mindset, it was sometimes hard to remember that the different dynamic led to different expectations. Being a switch was hard, and Sebastian didn’t envy Beau.

That led to another worry Sebastian had lurking in the back of his mind. How long would it be before his boy needed to take back control and Daddy someone? Sebastian had done quite a bit of research of late. He’d looked into options he hadn’t initially thought he’d consider; but he was finding the idea more appealing every day. Sebastian planned to broach the subject with Beau soon, but he knew Beau was still in love with Kenzie, his ex, and Sebastian wasn’t sure how open to the idea Beau would be at this point. It was probably better to hold off for now.

Taking Beau’s hand in his, Sebastian led his boy into the club for a much-needed Thursday night release. It had been longer than they usually went between visits. Beau was perfectly happy going into Middlespace at home, but he also needed time with his friends. He was a social butterfly, and thrived on regular interaction with other Littles and Middles. Their membership fee might be considered a luxury to some, but to Sebastian it was a necessity. It did so much for his Boy’s mental health.

They showed their IDs and membership cards at the front desk and entered the public playroom. Sebastian tensed immediately when Beau froze in place and gripped Sebastian’s hand so tightly he was afraid he might crush it.

Looking at him, Sebastian saw the color draining from Beau’s face, his eyes as big as saucers and his mouth hanging open. “Kenzie.” The whisper was barely audible but Sebastian’s complete focus on Beau helped him hear it and that one word sent Sebastian’s heart racing.

Shit! So much for a relaxing evening.

Kenzie

“ A re you sure you’s not cheating?” Kenzie studied the board before her. She was a Candy Land expert. How in the world had she lost three whole games to River?

“I’s not a cheater,” River said indignantly. “You knows it!”

Kenzie huffed and pinned her friend with a challenging look. “Best four outta seven.”

Kenzie wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, and she didn’t like to lose. She wasn’t a sore loser, but if she could find a way to give it her best she would. She could do this. She could win this Candy Land marathon, if River would agree to extending it. It didn’t always work as River usually liked to bounce from one activity to the next, but tonight seemed to be Kenzie’s lucky night.

“You’re on!” River exclaimed.

Kenzie and River were halfway through the next game and River was somehow winning again, when the air in the club changed and Kenzie stiffened. She’d only ever felt that tingling sensation racing through her body in the presence of her Daddy.

Ex Daddy, Kenzie. Ex.

There was no way this was from him, though; he was supposed to be out of town. Slowly, scared of what she’d find, Kenzie turned her head toward the door where she found the sight she’d been avoiding for more than a year and a half. There stood Beau, his hand gripped tightly in the hand of another ridiculously handsome man.

Shit, shit, shit. Not yet, please!

Kenzie slowly blinked her eyes hoping she’d open them and find it had been a mirage, but when she opened them again, she saw it had indeed been real. Kenzie had to fight the urge to run. She didn’t realize she’d been gripping the card she’d drawn so tightly until River tugged the wrinkled mess from her hand.

“Kenzie, I’m—”

Kenzie held her hand up at her friend, it wasn’t their fault. “No, River.” Her voice was choked and a wave of grief so strong she couldn’t fight the tears went through her. “It’s not your fault but I need to find somewhere else to be.”

Kenzie had barely gotten the words out before she hurriedly stood and rushed from the public room. She needed to get out of there before she embarrassed herself.

Lucky night, indeed.