Chapter 7 #2
"Whoa, easy there,” Taylor says, reassuring me. “Breathe, Danny. No one's judging. Hell, if anything, we're jealous. That chef's got serious Daddy Dom vibes."
Mikey nods vigorously, his eyes sparkling. "Totally. And trust me, you're not the first to get a little on-site discipline. Remember that time my Daddy showed up during the beach condo build, Taylor? Pulled me behind the tool shed for a quick reminder after I sassed him on the phone."
Taylor grins, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah, and mine caught me slacking on safety protocols last year.
Bent me over a sawhorse right there. The guys heard everything and didn't let me live it down for weeks, but it was all in good fun.
We're a crew of Littles, man. This stuff happens. No shame. It’s fun, even when it stings. "
Relief washes through me, loosening the knot in my chest.
They're not freaked out.
They're sharing.
Like it's normal. Part of the bond. I let out a shaky laugh, leaning against my truck. "Really? I thought... I don't know, that I'd blown it. Being new and all."
"Nah," Taylor says firmly. "If anything, it makes you one of us. Spill the deets. What happened? He spank you good?"
I glance around—no one's close enough to overhear—and nod, the words tumbling out now that the dam's broken.
"Yeah. Six on each cheek. Over the timber stacks. Hurt like hell, but... felt amazing too. The way he took charge, no bullshit,” I say, settling into things.
“Called me boy, made me thank him after each one.
" My voice drops, a shy grin creeping up.
"And after... he, uh, took care of me. With gel. Front and back."
Heat prickles my skin again, but this time it's mixed with that thrilling buzz.
Mikey whistles low. "Damn, newbie. First day vibes and you're already getting the full treatment. Jealous."
Taylor chuckles. "Sounds like a keeper. You seeing him as Daddy material already?"
I hesitate, then nod, leaning back against the truck door.
"I can't help it. He's stern but caring, you know?
Sees right through the big guy exterior to the Little underneath.
Made me feel... safe. Small, in the best way.
" I sigh, staring at the gravel. "But we live in different cities.
He's here, we're back on the coast after the build. Long distance? With his chef hours and our travel? That sucks. I don’t even want to think about it. "
Mikey waves a hand dismissively. "Pfft, details. If it's meant to be, you'll figure it out. Daddies like that don't come along every day."
"Speaking of Littles and fun," Taylor says, eyes lighting up. "Mikey and I are hitting up a Little club tonight. Local spot—playrooms, stuffies, the works. Low-key, just us and a few others. Wanna come? Could use a wind-down after your, uh, eventful lunch break."
My heart skips.
A Little club?
With them? It's exactly what I need—space to let go, no judgments. And after opening up, it feels like an olive branch. Or more like a stuffie hug.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'd love that," I say.
"Cool," Mikey grins. "Meet at the hotel at seven? We'll drive together."
As they head off to their trucks, waving goodbye, a warm glow settles in my chest. No more hiding. No more cringing over last night or today.
Taylor and Mikey get it.
They're like me.
And inviting me along? That's crew stuff. Real crew.
For the first time since joining, I feel like I belong. Not just the new guy hauling loads, but part of the family.
Back at the hotel, I devour the lunch box—turkey club perfection, apples crisp, cookies melting in my mouth like heaven. The juice washes it down, sweet and fresh.
Olivier's number stares up from the note inside: Call me.
I punch it into my phone, heart racing, but save the text for later.
Tonight is for Littles. For me.
The club is tucked in a nondescript building downtown, the kind you'd miss if you weren't looking. Inside, it's a wonderland: colorful play mats, blocks, crayons, a ball pit in one corner.
Soft lighting, stuffie piles everywhere.
A few other Littles mill about—some coloring, others building forts—chaperoned by their Daddies or hanging with friends. No judgment, just joy.
Taylor and Mikey dive right in, grabbing crayons and paper. I hesitate at first, but Mikey shoves a stuffie into my hands—a fluffy bear that reminds me of Lexi. "Come on, Danny. Let's color superheroes. And don’t forget your stuffie next time!"
“LOL, I’m such a doofus,” I giggle, suddenly feeling Little. “Silly me!”
We sprawl on the floor, crayons flying. Taylor sketches a muscly hero, while Mikey adds silly hats to everything. Laughter bubbles up, easy and free.
For the first time in ages, I let my Little side out fully—no hiding behind muscles or machismo. We build a block tower, knock it down with giggles, then raid the snack table for juice boxes and animal crackers.
"See?" Taylor says midway through a fort construction. "Told you it's all good. We're family here."
Mikey nods, munching a cracker.
"And about Olivier? Text him. Worst case, hot fling. Best case... Forever Daddy."
I pull out my phone, thumb hovering.
Why not?
DANNY: Hey, Chef. Thanks for lunch. And... everything.
Send. Butterflies erupt. But surrounded by these guys, it feels right.
As the night winds down, we pile into Taylor's truck, exhausted but happy. My phone buzzes:
OLIVIER: Good boy. Dinner tomorrow? My place. Be ready at 8.
I grin like an idiot. "Guys... he wants dinner."
“I bet that’s not the only thing he wants to eat!” Mikey howls with laughter.
They whoop, high-fives all around. Yeah. Part of the crew.
And maybe, just maybe, on the way to something more with a certain stern chef.
The drive back is filled with chatter—stories of past playdates, Daddy mishaps, site shenanigans.
I share a bit about my old crew, the rejections from Daddies who couldn't see past my size, and a whole ton of other stuff too.
Mikey and Taylor listen, nod, share their own scars.
By the time we hit the hotel, that knot of isolation I've carried for so long is gone and replaced by belonging.
"Night, Danny," Mikey says, yawning as we part in the hall. "Welcome to the fam."
Taylor claps my back. "Yeah. And good luck with Chef Daddy."
In my room, Lexi's waiting on the bed.
I cuddle him close, whispering sweet apologies for forgetting to take him along to the Little club but promising that from now on, he’ll be coming everywhere with me.
Sleep comes easy, but as I drift off, I see a site that makes my mouth water… Daddy in nothing but his chef’s hat.
Tomorrow can’t come soon enough…