Chapter Two
Nicky
“Jammies!” Liam declared, pulling hard enough on Nicky’s hand that Nicky nearly fell face first onto the couch when his feet got tangled. He grunted as his hip smacked the edge of the couch.
“Careful,” Law called. “Don’t break your friend.”
“I not break him!” Liam argued. “I helping!”
“Help him gently into the playroom,” Jude admonished. “Pick your jammies out. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Liam huffed. “Yes, Daddy.” He waited until Nicky had his feet back under him before pulling once again.
He stumbled but allowed his bestie to drag him down the hall. Honestly, Nicky was so wrung out that he appreciated Liam being over the top. It was usually him that created chaos when they were together.
“I’m so sorry that you had a bad night but I’m glad that we get to have a slumber party,” Liam said, stopping right before they entered the playroom. He slipped his arm around Nicky’s back. “I should have thought about this first. We could have dinner any time.”
“It’s fine,” Nicky lied.
“You look so tired,” Liam pointed out. “And sad.”
“I’m better now,” Nicky said. He tucked his head into Liam’s shoulder. “Just need this.”
Liam turned to fully hug him. “Why didn’t you tell me? You know I’m always up for a playdate.”
“I just don’t want to ruin whatever you and Jude had planned.” Now that he thought about things, Nicky wasn’t sure that he would’ve been good company at dinner. He should have said something. Liam was right.
“Plans change.” Liam patted his back. “It’s okay.”
Nicky drew back. “Love you.” He was a very lucky boy.
“Love you too!” Liam said with a grin. “Jammies?”
“Yeah, big boy clothes suck!” Nicky exclaimed.
“Totally!” Liam began to jump around.
The excitement inside him grew. Liam’s house was gorgeous inside and out with all the decorations, so Nicky wanted to be there way more than in his own house. And now they could get yummy messy food and play. Nicky shook his booty in his happy dance.
“Yay! Dancy-dance! Wait! Jammies! No dancy-dance in big boy clothes. Want Sharkie?” Liam was back to dragging Nicky.
They both banged against the doorframe when they didn’t quite gauge how close they were to the door.
“Liam!” Jude yelled.
“Sorry, Daddy!” Liam shouted back. He looked at Nicky with wide eyes.
Nicky shook his head. “It’s fine. He’s not really mad. No hurt yourself, remember?”
“Not mad,” Liam agreed. “Come on! Too slow!”
It really wasn’t his fault. Liam was worked up and until things were perfect again, in his little world perfect, he would remain agitated. Nicky would help his bestie settle since Liam helped him.
They finally made it into the room. Liam pushed Nicky onto the twin bed before crossing over to the dresser.
Nicky picked up the stuffed shark that was his stuffie when he was at his bestie’s house. He knew that he could trust Liam and Jude to care for Sharkie when he wasn’t around. Sharkie had loads of friends over there and liked to stay with all his besties.
Rubbing his face against the soft gray and blue fur, Nicky took a deep breath.
It had started out as a horrible night but now he was exactly where he wanted to be.
The playroom was familiar to him now that he had spent months coming over for playdates.
There were more toys in the room than Nicky could remember from his last visit, which had been a couple nights before he left for his trip.
“Jammies,” Liam said quietly as he returned.
Nicky lifted his head. His best friend stood wiggling as he held a pj set that Nicky had left there. The concern in Liam’s eyes was easy to see. Liam was such a sensitive little, which as a writer made his characters so relatable since many were just like the author.
“Come here.” Nicky held his arms open.
Liam fell into him. Nicky hugged him tight as he rolled them to the side. He pressed his forehead to Liam’s. They lay there together, breathing each other in. Nicky never should have doubted that he was wanted or welcome there with Liam and Jude. Next time he needed a playdate, he would ask.
“I don’t want you to be sad no more,” Liam whispered.
“I’m not sad,” Nicky promised. “It was just a really long bad trip. I came home and everything in my neighborhood is lit up and so pretty and my house was boring. I missed Thanksgiving with you and everything just seemed to be building up. Then the tire blew, making me feel like everything was going wrong.”
Liam kissed his nose. “We can fix most of that.”
“You already did. You called and everything started to go right again. Law showed up to take care of my car, we’ll get to eat a yummy dinner and have a slumber party. This was what I really needed.”
“Really?” Liam asked softly.
Nicky chuckled. “I got rescued by a handsome hero. I’m here with you. What else could I want?” He was downplaying everything, but Nicky didn’t want his best friend to keep worrying.
“You can quit your job then we’d play all the time,” Liam decided.
“When would you write your books?” Nicky questioned. He knew Liam wasn’t serious and Nicky loved his work usually. “The world needs the next book soon. I need the next one. You dangled that new character out there like such a tease!”
Liam giggled. “Did you like him?”
Nicky snorted in response.
“Of course you did,” Liam taunted. “The big, buff, sweet and sexy redheaded Daddy with all the protective instincts.”
“You’re not as tricky as you think you are,” Nicky told him. “Does Law know you based a character off him?”
“Who said I did?” Liam batted his eyelashes innocently.
“Oh! He doesn’t!” Nicky wondered what Law would think when he realized it. He knew that Law read Liam’s books, so it would be fun to wait and watch.
“Shh,” Liam hissed. “It’s a secret.”
“Does Jude know?” Nicky had to ask as Liam’s face turned red.
“Does Jude know what?”
“Nothing!” Liam and Nicky replied at the same time. Nicky popped his head up over Liam’s shoulder while Liam groaned into his chest.
Jude stood in the doorway, watching them with Law behind his shoulder.
“I didn’t do it!” Nicky made sure he was not getting any of the blame. This was all on his bestie. Liam just couldn’t help but make characters out of his favorite people. Nicky wouldn’t be surprised to find Josh also appearing in a book soon since Liam seemed quite taken with the young Daddy.
“I somehow doubt that you’re completely innocent,” Jude stated as he strode in the room.
“Of course I am!” Nicky said. If Liam was ever in trouble, it was usually Nicky’s fault. Not this time though! He was totally going to remember this conversation later so he could point out just how innocent he was.
Reaching them, Jude brushed the hair from Nicky’s eyes. Nicky needed a haircut. Usually, he went every three weeks but even that had been fucked up by his trip from hell. “How are you doing?”
God! Liam had gotten so lucky finding Jude.
Even though Nicky was merely the pesky best friend that was always around, Jude took care of him too.
Nicky wanted a Daddy like that. He couldn’t help sliding his gaze over Jude’s shoulder to where Law leaned against the doorframe.
He quickly cut his attention back to his bestie’s Daddy.
He needed to focus. “I’m better. It will be fine. ”
“It will be,” Jude repeated. “You’re home now. Right where you’re supposed to be.”
Nicky hugged Liam to his chest as he grinned at Jude. “I’m in bed with your boy.”
“Keep being a brat,” Jude taunted. “You know I have no problem putting you in the corner.”
Law laughed, making Nicky duck his head.
It was true that Jude had stepped in as a pseudo-Daddy for Nicky.
Neither Jude or Liam seemed to mind but Nicky didn’t know what Law would think about the dynamic.
There was nothing sexual between the three of them.
Nicky would never do that to his best friend.
Still, someone on the outside of their relationship might find it weird.
And corner time sucked, so Nicky knew better than to press his luck.
“Daddy!” Liam complained. “You make Nicky turn all red.”
And his best friend didn’t need to point that out.
“Did I?” Jude teased. “Hmm, I wonder why.”
It was like he wasn’t even there while they talked about him. And they called him a brat!
“I think it’s because Uncle Law is here,” Liam tattled.
Nicky pinched Liam.
“Daddy! Nicky pinched me!”
Nicky was going to smother his best friend. He swore if he made it through the night of embarrassment, Liam would pay for the teasing. That was usually his job! He loved to tattle on Liam to his Daddy. Getting a taste of his own medicine was not as much fun.
“Should I be concerned that Nicky doesn’t call me Uncle Jude? Do you think he doesn’t like me as much as you do your Uncle Law?” Jude asked.
Now that wasn’t fair. Nicky popped his head back up to find Jude grinning at him. He scowled. “Mean!”
Reaching over, Jude started to tickle him.
Nicky squirmed and laughed while trying to get away. Liam rolled away from them with his back to the wall to remain a safe distance from the torture.
“Am I mean, Nicky?” Jude asked, still attacking him with his fingers.
He tried answering but ended up nodding instead. He could barely breathe, so speaking was not happening. Jude kept tickling him until Nicky had tears in his eyes and was trying to catch his breath.
“There!” Jude said proudly. “That’s the smile that my boy’s bestie should always have.”
Yes, he was smiling. Warmth and love filled him. He climbed to his knees then launched himself into Jude’s arms. Liam gave the best hugs but sometimes Daddy hugs were just needed.
Jude held him tight as he started to rock Nicky back and forth. “It’s okay. You’re home with us now. We’ve got you.”