Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
I t was so good to finally have everything out in the open. Theo woke up without any nagging guilt or fears that his secret would be revealed and Dewey didn’t appear to be holding a grudge.
“Mornin,’ Your Highness.” He growled the words in Theo’s ear as they came awake, naked and blissfully intertwined in the Winnie. “Why don’t you hop up and have a seat on your throne,” he suggested.
Theo did just that, grinding his ass all over Dewey’s beard before riding his cock like a jockey. They came fast and hard, breathlessly crossing the finish line at the same time. After, Dewey went back to his place to shower and change because there really wasn’t enough space or hot water for two grown men to shave and get dressed in the Winnie.
“Servus!” Theo said cheerfully when they met behind the front counter and pressed a quick kiss to Dewey’s cheek. “My throne,” he added quietly, making Dewey blush and stammer as Bryce and Chase joined them.
Chase said he wouldn’t feel right, keeping Theo’s advance and returning to Syracuse after being in Oslo for just a day. His fiancé, Sam, was visiting family in Virginia so he had offered to stay for a week to help Bryce with some bigger repairs and upgrades that Dewey hadn’t been able to manage on his own.
Even Dewey agreed that a week with someone like Chase at the alley would be a godsend, especially with Bryce there to make the most of it. Between the two of them, the alley would be in tip-top shape by the end of the week and easier to run until Dewey could find a proper permanent manager.
But the real challenge would be in getting Dewey to take a step back so they could do the work themselves.
“Damn it. I told Chase I’d take care of it,” Dewey muttered when Chase pushed the lane machine out of the workshop an hour later. “The on and off toggle is sticky,” he said and went to intercept him.
Theo sensed that Bryce wanted to get something off his chest so he lingered, leaning against the counter and pretending to read the paper.
“Now that it’s just the two of us…” Bryce offered Theo a wide, awkward grin. “I’ve said some harsh things and I want to apologize, but I hope you understand that none of that was personal. I think you’re a great guy, just not bowling alley material,” he explained and Theo shushed and waved dismissively.
“You were right about nearly everything and I don’t blame you at all. You love Brooks and this place is much more than a business to you, it’s your family’s pride and its legacy.”
A soft laugh huffed from Bryce as he turned and watched Dewey push the lane machine out and unwind the cord. “Leaving Doobie and Oslo was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t want to go away for school and was all set to do most of it online, but Mom and Doobie wouldn’t hear of it and he promised they’d be fine without me.”
“It must have been a shock, returning and finding an incredibly handsome, but practically useless stranger when you were hoping for someone like Mr. Callahan,” Theo mused, then winked so Bryce knew he was joking. Mostly. “I understand that I overstepped by hiring him, but we still need help here,” he said and Bryce’s eyes narrowed.
“We?” He looked over his shoulder at Dewey before stepping closer. “I like you, Theo, and I think you’re a good and decent man. But Doobie isn’t…worldly and sophisticated like you are. He isn’t the kind of guy who can hook up with someone and forget about it. He doesn’t know how to use people.”
“Ach so…” Theo hummed thoughtfully, ignoring the offensive bits and focusing on Bryce’s loyalty and protectiveness. “I admire and respect your uncle and have come to care for him deeply,” he said with a lingering glance at Dewey. It was a relief, being able to openly lust after Dewey, now that Theo didn’t have to hide it from himself or anyone else. And how could he not ? “There is so much of him to admire,” he said dreamily, enjoying the view of Theo’s backside, thick thighs, and big, capable hands as he fixed something on the lane machine. Theo leaned for a better view, then gave himself a shake.
Bryce frowned as his gaze flicked between Theo and Dewey. “Okay… But could you do me a favor and go easy on Doobie? Make sure you’re ready to be serious before things…get serious,” he said and pressed his hands together. “It won’t be just a fling for him, if something happens between you two, and he’ll be a wreck after it’s over.”
If?
“Natürlich!” Theo nodded quickly. He wasn’t going to be the one to tell Bryce. That was up to Dewey. “I will keep that in mind. I promise,” he said with a salute, just as Dewey stepped off the lanes and joined them.
“Chase is a good kid,” he stated with a tug at his ball cap’s bill.
“He’s not the only one,” Theo said as he clapped Bryce on the shoulder. “He was just reminding me to be a gentleman with his uncle. Or else,” he added, giving Bryce an affectionate shake.
“Just looking out for Doobie,” he said with a shrug.
Dewey arched a brow at him. “It’s none of your damn business, but it’s too late. Theo’s already taken my maidenly virtue,” he said and snorted at Bryce.
“Oh!” he blinked back at Dewey, turning a deep shade of red. “That’s cool and you’re right: it’s not my business. Whatever makes you happy is great. I just didn’t want you to get hurt.”
That earned a hard glare from Dewey. “I’m not a child and I’m not fragile. And I don’t need you to protect me, B. I’ll be fine.”
“I’m not going anywhere any time soon, if that’s what you’re afraid of,” Theo said to Bryce. “Not unless Brooks decides he’s tired of me and runs me out of Oslo.”
Dewey nodded. “Which could happen, if everyone doesn’t stay the fuck out of my business and leave us alone,” he muttered and Bryce held up his hands, laughing.
“Yes, sir. The last thing I want to do is mess up your game.”
“What game?” Dewey countered with a scowl, making Bryce and Theo laugh. Then, Dewey’s scowl darkened and he muttered a curse. “This is gonna suck ass,” he predicted with a nod at the parking lot.
They turned and Theo groaned as Keith arrived. “Everyone, brace for impact,” he said out of the side of his mouth, receiving an amused snicker from Bryce.
“It won’t be that bad,” he said and winced when Keith pointed at Theo and laughed.
“Well, la-di-dah, Your Highness .” He bent forward and attempted a grand bow and almost toppled forward. “Was gonna wear my good suit for you but it’s at the cleaners.”
“Quatsch! You look dashing as always. I almost wore the very same overalls but I knew they would look better on you,” Theo said, making Dewey pull a face.
“Bet you don’t own a single pair of overalls. Shut up, Keith,” he said and went to get his shoes and start lane 6.
“Don’t know why you’re so cranky, Doobie. You kissed a frog and woke up with a prince.”
“I’ll tell Theo to make another sign if you keep it up,” Dewey told him, then shooed Keith off.
Theo sidled over and gave Dewey his most charming smile, resting an elbow on the counter. “I’m really sorry. On the bright side, I can do this now,” he said and offered his lips as he stretched across the counter.
“Um…” Dewey leaned forward, his face burning red beneath his beard. He brushed his lips against Theo’s, then grumbled about everyone looking before escaping to the office.
“He just needs a little more practice,” Theo said to himself, rather pleased with how well his first morning as a prince in Oslo was going.
The other customers were far more subtle than Keith and gently teased him about fetching rental shoes for commoners and “slumming it” in Oslo. But Cassie made a very big deal about it.
“A prince! You’re an actual castle-owning prince!” she shouted and pointed at Theo after throwing open the bowling alley’s doors.
“Listen, Cassie…” he began, but she laughed as he planted her hands on hips.
“A prince ! Can you believe it?” she said, her voice getting louder and higher. Her eyes watered as she stared at Theo. “A prince!” Cassie giggled and dabbed at her lashes. “I’m just so happy for Doobie. So, so happy !”
“Are you going to be alright?” Theo asked, concerned as she let out another shrill giggle.
“I’m wonderful!” She nodded quickly. “If it was anyone else, I’d murder them, but I am so, so happy for Doobie.”
“And me?” Theo said hopefully. “Brooks is a lovely man and I think I’m very lucky?—”
“Yeah, yeah… Congratulations. Where’s he at?” she asked as she waved Theo off.
“In his office.”
Theo chuckled as he watched her throw open the door and shout about how happy she was for Dewey before it swung shut behind her. Fifteen minutes later, a downtrodden Dewey trudged out of his office and back to the front desk.
“Ahem… Your Highness…” He scrubbed the back of his neck as he traced the edge of the counter between them.
“You don’t have to call me that. In fact, you shouldn’t,” Theo said quietly, but Dewey mumbled a rushed “Don’t give a fuck, honestly” as he turned red again.
“Cassie is insisting we go on a date tonight.”
“A date?” Theo cheered, snatching the front of Dewey’s flannel and planting a loud kiss on his lips. “I’d love that!”
Dewey gestured for him to calm down. “She said she’d handle things up here while Bryce and Chase ran the workshop and watched the lanes. I couldn’t think of where I’d take you on such short notice but she said she’d take care of that too. She’s making dinner at my place, I guess. It won’t be anything…fancy,” he explained with a particularly harassed grimace. Theo had learned that because of Dewey’s condition, his smiles often pulled downward when he was tired. But that didn’t appear to be the case this time. Dewey seemed legitimately harassed.
“I don’t want fancy!” Theo insisted and grabbed Dewey’s hands, giving them an encouraging squeeze. “Dinner with you, in any place that isn’t here or the Winnie, sounds like a perfect night. And I’m dying to see your place,” he admitted.
“My place?” Dewey’s head cocked. “It’s…okay. Nothing like you’re probably used to.”
Theo gave him a flat look. “I’m used to a Minnie Winnie.”
“You know what I mean,” Dewey muttered, rolling his eyes. “You own castles and a chalet, Theo.”
“I do,” Theo conceded, then curled a finger so Dewey would come closer. He leaned in and Theo hummed in approval as he traced the top button on Dewey’s Henley. “Castles are fine, I suppose. But not one of them has a large, grumpy bear with hands the size of boulders for me to climb,” he said in a low, sultry purr and bit his lip, winking at Dewey. “Can’t fuck a turret or drawbridge. Not without getting splinters.”
Dewey’s lips pursed and stretched and twisted as he blinked back at Theo. “You really don’t think of anything else.”
“Nee. So there’s really no point in worrying about the state of your house,” Theo said with a wide grin, but Dewey shook his head.
“The ‘state’ of my house is fine. It’s just not that grand, like a castle. No turrets or drawbridges.”
“Very unsexy. I’ll have to settle for fucking a grumpy bear,” Theo said seriously.
“Whatever. Cassie should be here around 5, if you want to take off early. Bryce is already trying to get rid of me. Figured I’d pick you up around 7:30, if that’s alright.”
“Leiwand!”
Theo waited until Dewey lumbered off to his office to panic. What was he going to wear for his very first date with Dewey and how in the world was Theo supposed to get ready in two-and-a-half hours? That would be a challenge under ideal conditions, but in the Winnie?
He glanced down and Walter was stretched out on his side and snoring but Theo knew he would appreciate the conundrum they were in if he was awake.
“My gut is telling me that it has to be a suit. Dewey might think he doesn’t want me to make a big deal about this and dress up. But he is a big deal and deserves my absolute best,” he murmured and nodded as he mentally considered the suits hanging in the Winnie’s closet. “No shortcuts tonight!” he said, then leaned over the counter.
Aside from Keith and a couple on 4, the alley was empty and everything was running smoothly with Bryce and Chase. Theo decided he’d sneak out to the Winnie and lay out one of the navy Loro Piana suits. You could not go wrong with a two-button, single-breasted suit and he had another tie with even bigger pink roses.
“And I have the perfect vest for you,” he said as he lowered to give Walter a shake and wake him up. “We’re going to look stattlich for Brooks tonight.”