23. SAMMY
SAMMY
Sammy was thrilled to be back with Harrison and knowing that Tucker was out of his life for good was such a great feeling.
Zane had also confirmed that he had sent the evidence of Tucker’s misdealing and criminal activity to a Daddy friend who worked in the police.
This was the right thing to do, and hopefully Tucker would have plenty of time to consider exactly where he had gone wrong in his life and how he could live better in the future. Well, that was the hope anyhow.
Zane was attending some business with his financial management team and Lars was meeting up with his Little friends Sammy and Stevie. The plan was for everyone to get together later on and have some fun at The Cuddle Corner.
This suited Sammy as it meant some one-on-one time with Harrison.
But as much as Sammy would have liked to let Harrison ravage him and show him exactly what he had been missing over these last few days, Sammy did actually have something else planned…
‘You booked us a table where?’ Harrison said, momentarily taken aback.
‘La Zizou,’ Sammy giggled, knowing exactly how shocking that must have sounded given that La Zizou was arguably the most in demand restaurant in the whole city, and had been for many years.
‘But how did you get us a table?’ Harrison said, in such a state of shock that he actually stopped dead in the middle of the sidewalk.
‘Not telling!’ Sammy laughed, squealing with delight as he saw the puzzled look on Harrison’s handsome face. ‘But all will be revealed!’
‘Grrrr. You’re close to a spanking, boy!’ Harrison said, his frustration at not knowing exactly what was going on getting to him. ‘But… I’ll allow this to play out.’
The truth was that Sammy had needed to call on some special help to get the table at La Zizou. And that special help came in the shape of Harrison’s literary agent Chris King.
Although he knew it was very naughty, Sammy had been reading Harrison’s new manuscript and loving every single word. Sammy maybe wasn’t an expert when it came to matters of literary fiction, but he knew a good book when he was reading it – and Harrison’s definitely fit that bill.
So just before leaving to go back to the city, Sammy had emailed the manuscript over to Chris.
Sammy knew that usually Harrison wouldn’t send work out before it was one hundred percent ready, but Sammy truly felt like this was so special that Chris just had to see it.
Harrison may have sent the odd chapter draft or idea to Chris, but nothing like an unfinished manuscript.
Daddy would go nuts if he knew.
Super-serious spanking kinda nuts.
Gulp! He might just be about to find out too…
As the pair of them enter La Zizou, Sammy decided that he would keep the truth about sending the manuscript under his hat for as long as possible. After all, they had only just made up and were both feeling so happy. Why risk that over something that might not come to anything?
‘Wowzers, this place is… fancy!’ Sammy said, his eyes wide open as he took in the plush interior of La Zizou. ‘I don’t think I’ve seen anything as elegant as this outside of a movie!’
‘Yeah, it’s pretty damn incredible,’ Harrison said. ‘But honestly, I’d be happy anywhere if you were by my side, kid.’
Sammy felt all warm and fuzzy.
To hear Harrison speak to him like that was something that Sammy would never, ever tire of.
What Sammy had realized very early in his time with Harrison was that he had the kind of protective, firm aura that a true Daddy should – but as well as that, Harrison was more than capable of being a big softy too.
‘But… love and romance to one side, I for one am ready to introduce you to the delights of the La Zizou menu,’ Harrison said, pulling a chair out for Sammy to sit on.
Sammy smiled.
‘Thank you, Daddy,’ Sammy said, a sneaky grin on his face. ‘You might want to turn around…’
With that, a confused looking Harrison turned around and was faced with the sight of a positively ecstatic Chris King.
‘Harrison Hawk… what a shock to see you here!’ Chris said, his over-the-top delivery making it perfectly clear that the whole thing had been planned.
‘What… is… going… on?’ Harrison said, bemused. ‘Is this down to you, boy?’
‘I think it’s best that Chris explains,’ Sammy giggled.
‘Yes, I think that’s best,’ Chris said, a huge smile on his face. ‘Your special boy sent me something. And that certain something has just been sold for a huge advance!’
‘Wait… not…you didn’t… but it wasn’t ready…’ Harrison said, the look on his face a mixture of joy, confusion and even a little bit of frustration. ‘I don’t know whether to kiss you or paddle you!’
‘I’d suggest both!’ Chris laughed, taking a seat at the table and then explaining how Harrison’s manuscript had been the subject of a five-way tug of war between the major publishing houses in New York.
‘Harrison Hawk, you are well and truly back. Not that you ever went away, my friend. I always knew you’d produce another masterpiece.
And this one could well be your best yet. ’
‘Chris, thank you,’ Harrison said. ‘Thank you for sticking with me over the years. It can’t have been easy.’
‘Harrison, we’re friends. Daddies stick together, you know that,’ Chris replied, eagerly picking up the menu and scanning it for his favorite dishes. ‘I think you absolutely need to stick with Sammy. He brings out the best in you. Creatively and as a person. This boy’s one of a kind.’
‘He certainly is,’ Harrison said, putting his hand on Sammy’s knee and giving it a friendly squeeze. ‘I’ve learned a lot from you, boy. And I want to keep on learning. Together. How does that sound?’
‘It sounds perfect, Daddy,’ Sammy said. ‘Please can I have three deserts? They all sound so good!’
‘Three deserts? You can have one,’ Harrison said. ‘We’ve got a long day and night ahead of us, I don’t want you having a total sugar crash!’
The three of them laughed and as they ate their food and talked, spirits were high. But Sammy could sense that Harrison wasn’t entirely relaxed – and he knew why too.
‘It’s Dean Hoffman, isn’t it?’ Sammy said.
Harrison nodded. As stoic and controlled as Harrison was, Sammy could see that the problem with Hoffman wasn’t getting any better. In fact, when Harrison did begin to speak on it, it became clear that the situation had only gotten worse.
‘That’s not fair! He’s the worst Dean in the world!’ Sammy said, stomping his feet on the shiny, super-polished floor underneath the table.
‘Ah… Hoffman,’ Chris said, a knowing look on his face. ‘I might just have some news for you on him too.’
‘Yes?’ Harrison said, arching his eyebrow.
‘I’d heard on the grapevine that you two were having some issues,’ Chris said.
‘You know me, I hear everything. Well as it turns out, Hoffman has been bullying and sleazing onto colleagues for years. He’s a bad egg and exactly the kind of bully that has no places at colleges – or anywhere for that matter. ’
‘Okay, I’m listening,’ Harrison said, intrigued as to where Chris was going with this.
‘I’ve got some contacts on the college board of directors,’ Chris said. ‘Trusted people. The kind of long-term friendships where the trust goes both ways. I told them my concerns and they were disgusted. They’ve done some digging and have decided to remove Hoffman from his position.’
‘Wow! Daddy! That’s awesome!’ Sammy squealed.
‘He deserves it,’ Harrison said. ‘I came so close to quitting. I love inspiring students, and he nearly took it all away from me.’
‘But here’s the thing,’ Chris said. ‘Hoffman doesn’t know yet. He’s actually speaking at an academic conference in the city today. Perhaps you should pay him a visit and break the good news…’
Sammy looked at Harrison.
Harrison looked back at Sammy.
This day was going from strength to strength. It was time to pay Dean Hoffman a visit – but only after desert had been served!
* * *
The conference room was packed with all of the leading Deans and college board members from across the country. It was exactly the kind of environment that Dean Hoffman enjoyed being in – it was a perfect place for him to luxuriate in his sense of self-importance and power.
But Sammy knew that Harrison was about to put a stop to all of that.
‘Harrison? What on earth are you doing here?’ Hoffman said, the arrogance in his voice palpable. ‘Shouldn’t you be struggling away with that manuscript of yours?’
Hoffman laughed, but his attempt to impress the fellow Deans didn’t go down well. Sammy saw that they were not impressed by Hoffman and his cruel, dismissive tone.
‘With respect, I think I’m doing just fine,’ Harrison said. ‘You, on the other hand…’
Sammy stood and listened as Harrison explained to Hoffman exactly what the situation was.
Harrison could have been a lot crueler than he was.
In fact, Sammy was shocked to see just how calm Harrison was being.
This may have been his chance for revenge, but being a true Daddy, Harrison still had his standards to maintain.
The same could not be said for Hoffman however…
‘You think you’re so smart,’ Hoffman said, his voice teeming with fury. ‘Well, let’s see how smart you really are!’
With that, Hoffman launched a punch in Harrison’s direction. Sammy gasped, but he needn’t have worried. Harrison simply stepped out of the way of the punch and watched as an off-balance Hoffman crashed into the drinks table, covering himself in horrible mixture of white and red wine.
Hoffman was soaked, his white shirt stained, and sitting on the floor in disgrace. Sammy giggled in delight and watched on in awe as Harrison stepped toward a flattened Hoffman and towered over him.
Daddy’s so big and strong.
But he’s smart and creative too.
He’s like a superhero!
Sammy wasn’t sure what Harrison was going to do next. Hoffman was an easy target now, totally helpless and with a despondent, pouty look on his face.
‘I’d offer you a hand up, but you might try and punch me again,’ Harrison said, shaking his head. ‘But thank you, Hoffman. You’ve given me a great idea for how to finish my novel. You’re quite the inspiration.’
With that, a triumphant Harrison took Sammy’s hand and they walked out of the conference room.
With Tucker and Hoffman both out of the picture, there were no longer any barriers for Harrison and Sammy. The path was clear for them both to achieve their dreams and live happily together as Daddy and Little.
It had been a day of good news and celebration so far.
But the day was far from over…