Chapter Seven
Jacob
Having money was nice.
Without the unlimited amount of funds, there would have been no way for Jacob to turn an empty room into a little paradise in just three days. Standing in the entrance of the room, Jacob was amazed at what he had done.
He’d barely seen James since their intimate conversation out on the steps of the garage apartment. James was working long hours at either the fire station or coffee shop. James’s schedule was chaotic. At least Jacob had plenty of time and energy to prepare for when James was ready.
James might not have come to Jacob for in-person engagement but the boy was full of questions.
Jacob answered every text honestly before sending James a link to an article or blog that he thought would come in handy. While James complained that it was like getting homework, he also had replied with additional thoughts.
Four days ago, Jacob had respected the boy for his hard-working attitude and drive. Now Jacob was delighted to find that James was smart, passionate, and funny. Weird as it seemed they were getting closer even if it was just over the phone.
Oh, the snark was still there. James was quick-witted and showed his bratty side often.
He also wasn’t playing around. It was obvious to Jacob that James was really considering their new dynamic and taking things seriously.
He’d even shared a series with him from an author who wrote gay age play.
Jacob had quickly become hooked on the author’s books.
Jacob and James had been comparing notes on the books as they made their way through the series.
Their likes and interests aligned so perfectly.
Jacob had promised to be patient. It was harder than he imagined keeping that promise. With the room transformed, Jacob was finding his days filled with pleasure instead of just existing.
He loved being a professor. Having the students in his lecture halls fulfilled his need to be a part of something. Preparing a little space for James gave Jacob a sense of personal accomplishment.
Playing in clubs was different than having a specific space in his house to indulge.
After working all day to put the final touches in place, Jacob found admiring the room filled him happiness and contentment.
Jacob had somehow convinced himself that the room would be wasted without a little of his own.
He’d put it off until even Jesse had questioned what Jacob was doing with the space.
Jacob wasn’t going to look back with regret.
No, the room was perfect for how Jacob planned to introduce age regression to James.
Slowly, without pressure. He’d provided toys for younger littles and all the way up the middle regression that included a new gaming station.
James would be able to explore to his heart’s content.
And as close as he was with his twin, Jacob should have thought about doing this for Lake alone.
Meaning when James was more comfortable and eventually moved on like Jacob knew he would, the room would be utilized by Jesse’s boy.
The room catered more toward an older little like Jacob believed James to be but Lake would appreciate it fine.
His cell phone ringing drew him from thinking about how James would respond to the space.
Pulling out his cell, Jacob rolled his eyes as he answered.
“Don’t you have a boy to worry about?” Jacob said as a greeting.
“My boy is perfectly happy lying in my arms as I talk to you.” Jesse’s side of the conversation was echoing, telling Jacob that he was on speaker phone.
“Hello, Lake. I hope you are keeping my brother in line,” Jacob teased.
A sweet giggle of response made Jacob smile.
“Hi, Uncle Jacob,” Lake replied. “I miss you.”
“Aww, precious boy. I miss you as well.” Jacob had enjoyed visiting during Christmas.
His brother had moved into Lake’s house with Remi and Dom soon after they’d started dating.
That had left Jesse’s old penthouse suite at the casino/ hotel for Jacob to stay in.
He’d been close enough to visit but not be in the way.
“Don’t miss him too much,” Jesse growled out in warning.
“Daddy!” Lake admonished. “Be nice or Uncle Jacob won’t come back to see me.”
“I’ll always come back to see you,” Jacob vowed.
Jesse cleared his throat. “I regret calling. Stop flirting with my boy.”
Pushing off the doorway, Jacob headed to the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea. James would be home soon from the fire station and Jacob hoped that they’d have another late-night texting session.
The boy had worked the morning shift at the coffee shop before going into the fire station for a few hours. James worked so hard that if the boy was ready, Jacob knew that he had the perfect way for James to relax and recharge. Soon, he told himself, soon.
“Are you listening to me?” Jesse demanded harshly.
Jacob winced. “Sorry. I was trying to make myself a cup of tea.” Not a total lie. He flicked on the light to the kitchen before walking over to the stove to get the kettle started for hot water.
“Is everything okay? You’re usually getting ready for bed at this time of night,” Jesse responded.
That was before Jacob had started to adjust his schedule to James’s. There was no way that James was getting enough sleep. And Jacob wanted to be available when James might reach out.
“I’m on vacation,” Jacob told his brother. “I can stay up late if I want. I’m an adult and everything.”
Jesse hummed. “That’s not like you though. Even when you’re on vacation.”
The way Jesse said that last word had Jacob’s back going stiff.
“Not that you even know how to enjoy a vacation,” Jesse finished.
Jacob snorted. “Says the man who still works seven days a week.”
“Not anymore,” Jesse corrected.
“Daddy doesn’t work Sundays any longer,” Lake said softly. “That’s our time.”
“That’s good,” Jacob said sincerely as he reached in the container for his tea bag. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“We’re not talking about me,” Jesse interrupted. “Why are you having tea so late?”
He didn’t owe his brother an explanation. Like he said, Jacob was an adult. “Because I want one.”
“Jacob,” Jesse warned.
Sometimes Jacob had to remind himself that Jesse was so protective because he loved him.
It had been the two of them against the world for so long that it had just become habit for Jesse.
And maybe sometimes Jacob needed Jesse checking on him.
Hadn’t it been just a few nights ago that panic and fear had taken Jacob to hide in his bed?
“I’m fine,” Jacob said soothingly. “I swear. I’m actually better than fine. Happy.”
“What’s going on?” Jesse demanded.
It wasn’t his story to tell. Jacob thought about what he could say that would reassure his brother while also keeping James’s confidence. “New year, new me?”
Jesse snorted. “I don’t believe that for a second. Try again.”
Even Jacob could see how ridiculous that statement sounded. He laughed. “I’m just enjoying my nights until school starts again. I swear I’m fine.”
“You do sound better than the last time we talked,” Jesse admitted. “How are your house guests?”
Damn his brother. Jacob should never have admitted to his attraction to James. “They are not house guests,” he argued, like he always did. “They rent an apartment from me.”
“Uh-huh,” Jesse responded.
“And Scott is visiting with his older brother and friends back home until the next semester starts,” Jacob admitted.
“Which leaves your boy all alone,” Jesse said.
“Not my boy,” Jacob reminded his brother.
“I do think he protests too much,” Jesse teased. “What do you think, baby?”
Lake giggled but didn’t answer.
“Did you call for a reason?” Jacob asked.
“Can’t I call my little brother and check on him?” Jesse questioned with that cocky edge to his voice.
“Minutes,” Jacob corrected. “You are minutes older than me.”
“Still older!” Jesse said and laughed.
Jacob groaned. “How do you put up with him, Lake? Do you want to come live with me? I have a very nice house right by the beach.”
Jesse grumbled and cursed just like Jacob knew he would.
“No, thank you,” Lake replied seriously. “But Daddy said we can come visit and go to the beach when it warms up.”
“I’d love to have you.” The kettle began to whistle, alerting Jacob that his water was boiled.
Jacob turned off the heat under the kettle before carrying it over to his mug. He poured the hot water over the tea bag and set it back down. “Now I would like to enjoy my tea in peace. Is there anything else or did you just have to hear my voice.”
“Lake wanted to invite you to town for his birthday in a few weeks. We’re going to have a party at the club,” Jesse told him.
“Please come, Uncle Jacob,” Lake added.
“Of course I’ll come,” Jacob promised. “Just send me the date and time.”
“Yay!” Lake cheered.
“Feel free to bring a date,” Jesse teased. “Maybe a hot boy that you’ve had your eye on.”
“Good night, asshole,” Jacob responded as his brother chuckled and Lake giggled.
He disconnected the call before throwing his phone on the counter.
He loved his brother but now that Jesse was happily settled down with his boy and they were planning a wedding, Jesse had been on Jacob’s ass more about James.
Eventually Jacob would come clean with his brother about the arrangement that he’d offered James. If the boy accepted Jacob’s offer, they would be spending more time together. If not, Jacob might go to Vegas just to get some distance.
Once his tea was finished steeping, Jacob pulled the bag from the mug.
Turning to look out the window above the sink, Jacob stared toward the dark apartment. James hadn’t left the porch light on again. He’d reminded James numerous times. The boy never remembered.
He could investigate getting an automatic light. That might be better. James wouldn’t have to remember and it would be safer when he returned home after a late shift and tried to climb the dark steps.