Chapter 21
21
Z eke bundled up, staring out of the cabin door at the snow. The car was waiting to take them to the ferry.
The ferry was going to take them to the town.
He could do this.
He would do this.
For Wesley.
“Whoa, tone it down, boy. You’re thinking very loudly.” Wesley caught him in a hug from behind and kissed his cheek. “You’re ready.”
That wasn’t a question, it was the kind of statement that he wasn’t meant to argue with.
“Uh-huh.”
He got a not-too gentle swat.
“Yes, Sir!”
“Good boy. Come with me.” Wesley took his hand and held it tight, leading him out the door.
“Hey, Master Wesley. Zeke. You guys picked a great day to go exploring.” Caleb opened up the back door to the company Jeep and held it for them.
“Good morning, Caleb. In you go, boy. Little step up.” Wesley held his hand out to help.
He almost—almost—found a smile for Caleb, but he did manage to step in. Wesley climbed in behind him, closed the door, and put an arm around his shoulders. “Caleb has driven me to and from the airport each time. He is an excellent driver.”
Caleb chuckled softly. “Thank you, Sir.”
He nodded and ducked his head, telling himself not to panic, to keep his eyes open and focus.
“So, one of the cool things Caleb pointed out to me on the road the last time was?—”
“Actually, we’re not—uh, sorry to interrupt, Sir, but we’re not going that way today.”
“Oh, cool. We’re going somewhere I haven’t been yet?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Wesley seemed pleased by that and sat up a little to look out the window.
“This way has some neat things too; not as many, but it’s a much shorter drive. Up on the left are a bunch of smokehouses, you know, for fish? They’re owned by one of the fisheries at the wharf.”
“Do you like smoked fish, boy?” Wesley asked him, and he nodded.
“Yes, Sir. I didn’t think I would, but yes.”
“I haven’t had anything here that I didn’t like. I’m looking forward to finding a good local place for lunch. Do you have any suggestions, Caleb?”
“Oh, you should stop and get soup and sandwiches at Millie’s. It’s local, not touristy, just perfect.”
“That sounds great.” Wesley held him close even while talking with Caleb. He knew Sir had an eye on him.
He was in a car.
He hadn’t been in a car since he arrived here. He hadn’t been off the grounds.
Oh god.
Was he off the grounds?
Wesley kissed his temple. “You’re okay. We’re fine.”
He nodded, because his mouth was so dry he couldn’t speak. He was breathing, though, and that was good, right?
That didn’t seem to go over well with Wesley. “Tell me you’re okay.”
He swallowed hard, took a deep breath. “I-I’m okay.”
“That’s right. You’re fine. You’re safe with me and you’re doing great.” Wesley sounded so sure.
He wasn’t sure, but whatever. Wesley was with him. They were safe. He was okay.
Or something.
He felt pretty safe. Hopefully.
“That’s the bay there.” Caleb pointed out the passenger side. “We’re almost to the dock.”
Wesley looked over him at the water, a part of the bay he hadn’t seen before. “Look, boy. The bay is lovely this morning.”
He glanced, then looked again, because it was beautiful, wasn’t it? “I think it’s going to be a nice day outside.”
“I think it already is,” Wesley whispered in his ear.
“I’m telling you, you picked the perfect day,” Caleb agreed. “No wind, no snow expected. Just sun. I’m going to stay in town and run a couple of errands, since it’s so nice.”
He sat there and watched. Stared. Breathed. And he was… basically okay if he didn’t move.
“Ooh. That’s the ferry?”
“Yes, Sir.”
The ferry was bright orange. It wasn’t big as he was afraid it would be, but it wasn’t small, either.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
It could be a bad damn idea.
It felt like a bad idea.
“The car ride is over, and now, we’re going on a boat ride.” Wesley took that heavy arm from around his shoulders and took his hand instead.
Caleb turned a corner and pulled into a U-shaped drop-off area. “Have a great time.”
He doubted it. He was focusing on not passing out. That was good enough.
Wesley pulled him out of the car and held him by the shoulders. “Boy. Look at me. Who are you with?”
He realized, all of the sudden, that he wasn’t breathing, and he was about to gray out. “You. You, Master.”
“Good boy. Take another breath and then tell me, are you safe?” Wesley was watching him, holding his gaze intensely.
He sucked in another breath, staring into his Master’s eyes. “Yes, Sir?”
“Yes. You’re with me and you’re safe. Let’s breathe again.” Wesley breathed with him. “In and out.”
He was an idiot, but he focused on his Master and inhaled deep, filling his lungs until his chest screamed.
“Okay. Let it out, Zeke.” Wesley put a hand on his belly and pushed gently. “Forget the boat. Just be here with me.”
“I used to love boats,” he whispered, remembering hours with his famous parents, laughing and singing on lakes, on the Gulf.
“Well, maybe we’ll get on this one today. But we can take it slow. Let’s go watch it sail away. You want to? Just watch.”
“No. No, I want to try.” He could do this. He knew how important this was to his Master. “I need to try.” He stood up tall and nodded. “Let’s do this.”
Wesley nodded. “That’s my boy. Let’s go.” Wesley nodded to Caleb, then led him slowly toward the dock. “Where do you want to ride? Toward the bow? In the stern?”
“Wherever’s the least crowded, please.” The water smelled right, and he felt himself wanting to smile.
“Of course.” The ferry wasn’t crowded at all, and after moving carefully down the dock, Wesley found them a spot indoors and out of the cold but right near a window where they could see the bay. Wesley sat closest to the window and pulled him very close. “They said it won’t be a very long ride.”
“That’s all right. It’s kind of wonderful.” He loved the slow and steady rocking. It was musical and soothing, and he shocked himself as he began to cry.
He’d missed this, so much.
“Hey.” Wesley kissed his temple and didn’t seem to care who was around. “What is it? Can I help?”
“I missed the water,” he whispered. “I feel so stupid.”
“You’re not stupid. I didn’t know you had ties to water. That’s cool.”
“My folks love to be on the water. We were always on a boat, even on the road. My dad loves it.” Mom loved Dad, so it worked out.
“That’s a great memory. Are you still in contact with them?”
“I am. We email often, and they call when our schedules collide. I write for them all the time.” It was a good, if quiet, relationship.
“Maybe they’d like to come to your movie premier.” Wesley glanced at him. “I’d love to meet them.”
“They would love to meet you. I’ve told them all about you. My beautiful lover.” Mom and Dad weren’t your average parents, but they were fun and joyous and free-spirited.
“Well, that’s settled then. We’ll fly them out, whenever it is.” The ferry got underway, the engines loud at first until they reached a steady speed.
He watched the little waves, watched the car as it got smaller, and the water surrounded them. He loved that.
“So I want to try that lunch place Caleb talked about. Do you know anything about the town? Have people told you anything cool?”
“I hadn’t talked to many people about it. I know there’s a fudge store and a little bitty bookstore.” He tried to remember what else there was. “There’s an art co-op too.”
“Perfect. So we’ll wander.” Wesley leaned back, obviously relaxing. He hadn’t realized how much energy his Master had been putting into making sure he was okay until just then.
He would just be solid, stable. He would make some sense. He would hold himself together and be… reasonable.
Wesley turned and smiled at him. “You’re doing very well, you know. I’m super proud.”
“I’m trying. I want to be able to do things.” Little and big things.
“I know you do. And this is nice, too. Kind of… romantic, right? The boat and everything?”
“I like that it’s quiet. I love the sound of the water.” And he loved that Wesley was here with him.
“I’d drag you up on deck, but I bet it’s cold.”
“I bet.” And there were people up there. He didn’t want to see any people.
“So, what’s one thing you want to do in town? Anything at all. Even a small thing.”
“I—” Not panic. Not freak out. Not be a psycho. “Maybe find a new book at the store?”
Wesley nodded, thumb sliding over the back of his hand. “I like browsing bookstores. Even better if they have coffee.”
“You and your coffee.” He understood, though. Coffee seemed like one of those drinks that just worked in so many situations. Dates. Bookstores.
Maybe not scenes.
“I know, but it relaxes me. It’s comforting. And caffeine is kind of necessary in my life.” Wesley hummed. “Although less here, I think. I’m not as busy here.”
“No?” He hoped Wesley wouldn’t get bored. “I bet you like being busy.”
“Well…” Wesley looked thoughtful. “I do, but I also like this. I like it a lot. I like being on this boat and going to spend a quiet day together. I’ve never been with someone who checked all the boxes for me.”
Zeke surprised himself by smiling.
He really smiled. And he wanted to.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be busy enough when we’re not here. I think it will be good to have some of both worlds.”
“I’ll work when you do. I can write for days on end.”
Someone came down the stairs, and he turned so they couldn’t see him.
Wesley put an arm around him, but leaned in to whisper, “You don’t need to hide from people. No one is interested in us. They’ve got work or a date or an errand to run. They’re just living their lives like us.”
“I know.” He didn’t believe it, though. He worried.
A lot.
“Mhm.” Wesley slid that arm around his shoulders and down his back, rubbing a little at his stripes.
His lips parted, and his focus cleared, fastening on his Master.
Wesley pointed out the window. “Looks like we’re about to dock. That wasn’t a bad trip, hm?”
“No, Sir. Yes, Sir. I mean—” His eyes crossed.
“Good boy.” Wesley chuckled, then kissed his temple. “Felt that, did you?”
He nodded, his mouth dry as dust. He had felt it, in his bones.
The boat rumbled under his feet as it pulled up to the dock. People in insulated coveralls and warm hats crawled all over the deck outside the window securing the boat, and a minute later, they opened the doors and Wesley stood. “Boy, off we go.”
He nodded. Off they went. He was not freaking out. Not. He was breathing.
“It’s a beautiful day and this is going to be fun. You’re with me, remember. I have made promises to you, and I will keep them.”
“Yes, Sir.” He hoped so. Master Wesley was being so patient.
They walked up the ramp to the street with a crowd of people who were also leaving the boat, and Wesley kept him so close that he didn’t even brush elbows with anyone else. Once they got off the long dock, Wesley moved them to one side to get away from the crowd.
“Look how cute, Zeke.” From where they were standing, the town looked sort of old-timey western, but more colorful and very well kept up.
He nodded, clenching his Master’s hand, holding on tight. It was pretty, but it was different. It was new. He didn’t know about this, but he was going to try.
“There was a time when this didn’t worry you, you know. I want that back for you. We’re taking it back with every step you take.” Wesley squeezed his hand.
“Yes, Master.” He licked his lips, forcing himself to breathe.
“Come on, then.” Wesley gave him a little tug to get him moving. “You’re doing great. Hold your head up. You’ll get used to it.”
“Yes, Sir.” Never. He was never ever ever going to get used to this.
As they slowly walked along the sidewalk, Wesley peered into shop windows and looked all around, keeping a solid hold on his hand.
It was a charming little town, warm and simple, and it was almost impossible not to like it.
They stopped into the bookstore, and it was quiet and two story and crammed with books. “Wow.”
“This could keep us busy for a while.” Wesley walked right up to the counter. “Hi there. I’m Wesley; this is Zeke. It’s our first time here. What a neat place you have.”
“Welcome to Polar Books. Welcome in. What do you like to read?”
Zeke didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t think of a single book he’d ever read, all of the sudden.
Wesley spoke up. “I like a gritty forensic thriller or mystery. I also enjoy biographies.”
“The mystery thriller—all the fiction, in fact—is upstairs. The biographies are right over here down this aisle.” She beamed at them. “Feel free to look around.”
“Thank you very much.” Wesley looked at him. “Fiction?”
He managed to nod. Upstairs would be better.
Wesley gestured for him to go ahead up the stairs. “Good boy. You’re fine. I’m right here.”
He nodded and headed up, his head spinning. “Right here. I hear you.”
“You hear me, but you’re panicking anyway.” Wesley’s hand brushed over his back as they reached the top of the stairs, lighting up his stripes again. “Breathe.”
He inhaled sharply, going up on tiptoe. “Breathing!”
“Good boy,” Wesley whispered in his ear. “You’re safe. We’re in a bookstore. Find a book.”
He nodded, swallowing hard. It was a little unfair, really, that his Master could just do that.
Make him feel and focus.
Totally unfair.
Look at all the books…
“What do you want to read?” Wesley got him moving slowly.
“I love books. Seriously. Not thrillers, but mysteries are good.” He loved an off-page murder.
“Great. Let’s find a mystery. Maybe we can read it together.” The upstairs was crammed with tall bookcases arranged in a maze-like pattern, and they followed a set of labeled arrows to the mystery section.
He loved this kind of store, absolutely adored the aisles and tall shelves. It made the best echoes.
Wesley ran his fingers over the spines. “Do you have a favorite author? I kind of just read whatever jumps out at me.”
“Me too. I tend to choose covers. Shallow, huh?” But so true.
“If that’s shallow, then I’m guilty too.” Wesley pulled out a book, looked at it, and put it back.
No wonder they got along. He found one with a shiny cover, tracing it with his finger.
“I like how the house is recessed on that cover. It’s cool, right?”
He leaned on Wesley’s arm. “It so is.”
“I’ll buy it for you. Let’s pick another.” Wesley reached up and pulled a thick paperback down from a high shelf.
“Are you sure?” He beamed at Wesley, incredibly tickled. “Thank you, Sir.”
Wesley frowned at the cover, flipped it over and read the back of the book, then put it back. “Mm. Not this one.”
“No?” He searched the shelves for another one.
“Kidnapping. Not my thing.” Wesley moved them slowly down the aisle. “If I want someone tied up, I can do it for real.”
Zeke snorted out a surprised laugh. “Good to know!”
“Ooh. What did you find? It has a ghost. I like ghosts.”
“Do you? Do you believe in ghosts?” Zeke grabbed the book and glanced up at his Master, curious.
“I do, actually. I very much believe in ghosts. I’ve had some experience with them. You?”
He shrugged. “I thought so once or twice, but… I couldn’t prove anything.”
And he didn’t want anyone to think he was nuts.
Wesley snorted. “Well, that’s the thing about ghosts, right? You can’t prove anything. Ever.”
“True. You’ll have to tell me all your ghost stories, though.” Zeke wanted to hear all Wesley’s stories. Every one.
“Over lunch. I’ll tell you a couple. Let’s get the ghost book too.” Wesley kissed his cheek.
“Perfect.” They gathered their purchases and headed down the stairs.
As they made their way down, he heard a familiar tune. It was one of his. Excellent.
Wesley started singing along, tapping with the beat on his shoulder.
“You know this one?” God, that made him feel ten thousand feet tall.
“Oh, yeah. I love it. I like songs I can sing along with, you know? Catchy. Good lyrics.”
“Thank you.” Oh, he did love that, so much. He almost bounced down the stairs.
“Wait. What?” Wesley hurried after him. “Is it yours?”
“Hmm?” He nodded though, because it was one of his songs.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Wesley was all smiles. “Seriously. You have to tell me things like this. I want to know. It’s so cool.”
“I write a lot of music. It’s a good job.” And he loved it. It had kept him sane.
Wesley put the books on the counter and beamed at the salesclerk. “You should turn this song up. My partner wrote it.”
“No. Really? I love this one.” She started singing along and Wesley joined in, both of them grinning.
Zeke sang harmony—laying it down like the pro he was.
“This is amazing. I’m meeting a famous songwriter,” the clerk said when the song ended. “I can’t wait to tell my husband.”
“Just a songwriter. Not famous.” He didn’t want to be famous.
Got it. Keep it on the down-low. Wesley pushed the books a little closer to her. She got the hint and rang them up. “These look good.”
“They do. I can’t wait to crack them.”
“Well, enjoy them and come back soon. We’ll have another singalong.” She winked at Zeke and handed the books to him.
“Yes, ma’am. I look forward to it.” Zeke managed a true, honest grin.
“Thanks very much.” He took Zeke’s hand and led him out of the store, smiling. “I think I’m going to make it a rule. If we hear a song you wrote, you have to tell me.”
“What?” That was… That made him feel flushed with heat and a little unnerved.
“Hey, I’m just teasing.” Wesley stopped and caught his gaze. “I’m kidding.”
“Oh, okay, because… there are a lot. You’d be surprised.” He had a number of Grammys.
“I’m already surprised. And I really want to know. But I’m not going to make rules about things like that.” Wesley started them walking again. “Maybe I’ll just get nosy and start googling.”
“Google away.” He kept walking. “Talking about rules makes my stomach flutter.”
“Not in a good way, hm? You seemed stressed about it.”
“I don’t know. Maybe? It is… maybe something we can discuss at home in private?”
“I see. Good boy.” Wesley’s smile grew, lips curling into a hot grin. “We can definitely discuss it at home. In private.”
“Cool. Cool cool cool.” His cheeks were on fire.
Wesley touched one hot cheek. “You’re so beautiful right now.”
He searched Wesley’s eyes. “Thank you, Sir. I—are you having a good day?”
“The best. You’re making me proud. And I can’t wait to curl up with our new books. Are you okay?” He knew that question was more than small talk.
“Better than I thought I would be, yes. I feel… like you have my back.”
“Good. That’s how I want you to feel, because it’s true. Shall we?” Wesley took his hand again. “There’s more to see here than I expected. I was picturing someplace smaller, you know?”
“Yeah. It’s kind of pretty, though. Rustic. I can see why they built the Barn here.”
“I actually wondered about that. Like, how do you just pick a spot in Alaska? Are the owners from here? Or did they know someone? It seems odd. Cool, but odd.”
“There is one Texan, one New Mexico, one local—I don’t know about the others.” He knew that there were a bunch of employees, but he thought there were four owners.
“Well, they have a local, so that must be it. I’m sure once I’m here long enough, I’ll start asking questions. We have to figure out how to keep the cabin after all, right?”
“Yes, Sir. It’s my home. Our home here, together, right?” He couldn’t bear the idea of losing it. He needed the place.
“One of our homes. It’s important to you, so it’s important to me.”
He nodded, because that was how he felt. That was why he was here. It was important to his Master, ergo it was important to him.
“All right, you pick the next place we go into.” Wesley moved closer to the street, putting him on the inside. “Hm. We don’t need a kitchen store…”
“No. I don—” His eyes went wide. Custom guitars.
There was a shop with custom guitars.
Wesley chuckled and gave him a nudge. “Did we stumble across your kryptonite?”
“I—” Was that real? It couldn’t be real, could it?
“Come on, let’s go in.” He got another nudge. “How cool is this?”
It was almost too cool, too right, too scary. “W-wild.”
“What shocks you about this? That there is such a thing? That it’s here?” Wesley kept steering him toward the door. “Or maybe that it’s been here this whole time?”
“Yes.” All of the above. Seriously. How could that be here and no one had ever said? “Yes, Sir.”
Wesley opened the door for him. “Today really is an adventure.”
* * *
Wesley picked up his wine and leaned back in his chair, watching Zeke finish off the last of the cheesecake they’d ordered to split for dessert. He didn’t drink when he was in-scene, and one could argue that this counted, but it had been a good day and they’d both had a glass.
“I know they feed us well over at the resort, but this was very nice.”
“It was. I liked the goat cheese appetizer a lot.”
His boy was a bit of a cheese fiend.
He nodded. “I saw that. I can’t remember the last time you ate so well.” Next to them on an empty chair was the paperwork for the guitar Zeke had ordered. What a neat experience. It had been a very satisfying day.
Zeke flushed for him. “Everything tastes good today. Weird, but true.”
“Fresh air and fun make a man hungry.” And he meant that in every way.
“Yeah.”
He fastened his boy with a look.
“Yes, Sir.”
“It is time to walk off this late lunch and think about heading back, don’t you think? Leave the other end of town for our next trip?”
“Yes, Sir. It’s been a good day.”
And Wesley had zero intentions of doing anything to disrupt that.
“Better than either of us imagined, I think.” He waved down their server and handed him his credit card with a thank-you. “I’ve really enjoyed your company, and this town is so cute.”
“It is, and we have books.”
And there was a custom guitar ordered that had made his boy almost cream his jeans.
“Mhm. And a private conversation I am very much looking forward to.” He was curious, unsure exactly what Zeke’s feelings were on the subject of rules. The boy had been surprised when he’d mentioned it, but whether for better or worse, he would have to wait and see.
Zeke blushed, but this smile felt—heated, loving, pleased, all rolled up into one.
He signed the credit card slip and stood, picking up their books and putting the paperwork for the guitar in the bag. “Let’s get on that boat before we lose the sun.”
He was still trying to understand the sunrise and sunset times here and mostly relied on Zeke to tell him what was what. He assumed the days would get shorter as they moved into winter.
“Sounds good. It’s a beautiful day, which means at least a week of snow and rain, right?”
“That does seem to be how it’s been going lately. I just kind of wake up and look out the window.” He took Zeke’s hand again and led him out of the restaurant. “I’m really liking this holding hands thing, by the way.”
“It’s been a while since I held hands with a man.” Zeke offered him a shy little grin, cheeks pink.
“Me too, honestly. It’s nice, right? Feels good.” He liked that they shared that experience, so Zeke didn’t feel like he was the odd man out all the time.
“It does. It’s not something I thought about, you know? I figured I was…” Zeke shrugged. “Done.”
He never once thought he was done. “That’s a shame. You’re in a resort full of like-minded people.” But he’d pushed the issue with Zeke a little, tempted the boy out of hiding. Maybe he was unusual that way. “I knew I’d meet someone when I came here. Certainly not anyone I’d stay with, though. That never occurred to me. I wasn’t here to find my sub, just to relax and play with some.”
“And you could have played with so many subs.” Zeke glanced up at him and winked. “So many.”
“I could have.” He knew Zeke was relaxed when he teased. “Unfortunately, I missed out because I saw you and it was all over. You were all I wanted. Bummer, right?”
“Totally. You have to be devastated, Master.”
“I’ll suffer through.” He grinned and pulled Zeke in front of him as they approached the dock. “Ready for the ride home?”
“I am. I’m ready to be home with you.”
“Good. I kind of want to snuggle with popcorn and a movie I’ve seen a hundred times.” Something they could talk over and just check in with because they knew what was going on.
“I’d love that. We could totally hang out together and wait for the storm to come.” Zeke’s smiles were coming more often.
Zeke seemed to have a sixth sense for the weather. It was still sunny, but it was definitely getting colder. It would be a frosty walk to the cabin when they got back. “I have never been a winter person. I don’t mind it. I’m just not used to it. Boots and coats and everything. It’s a lot.”
“It is. A ton, but the Barn is amazing. They make it comfortable for us. It’s like a fantasy.”
“I definitely agree.” They hit the gangway just in time and walked right down into the enclosed section of the ferry. It was much more crowded than on the way over, probably because it was colder and most people didn’t want to be on deck. He didn’t see anywhere to sit, so he pulled Zeke over to a window and put his back to it so Zeke could face the water and have his back to the crowd. “We just made it, huh? Good timing.”
Zeke nodded, determinedly not making eye contact with anyone, simply staring at his collar.
He took both of Zeke’s hands. “Hey, look out the window. It’s pretty out there. Just you, me, and the water.”
“You, me, and the water.” Zeke tried to smile.
“My good boy. It’s nice, right? A boat ride?” He didn’t feel like he needed to remind his boy about those sensitive stripes again, not now. Zeke was trusting him.
“I do love a boat ride, Sir. It’s why I came here. The water.”
“I love it too.” He smiled at Zeke, pulling him closer as the boat started to rock a little. “Remember the beach you took me to, the one you said was your little secret?”
“I do. I’ve never taken anyone else there. I never wanted to.”
“I asked you if you actually wanted a Dom and you couldn’t answer me, or you didn’t want to. Remember that? You know why I asked, right?” This was as good a distraction as any. It was a fond memory now, even if he’d been worried then.
Not about Zeke. He’d been worried about himself.
“I already knew I was falling in love with you.”
Zeke offered him a warm smile, tears in the pretty eyes. “I’m so grateful.”
“Yeah, well. I don’t know what I would have done if you’d said no.” He chuckled, grinning. “I don’t think I actually wanted to know that answer right then anyway.”
“Me either. I was so scared and excited and stressed at once.”
That just made him smile. “It is exciting at first, but I’m glad we’re past that. I like this better. I like knowing. I like understanding. I like that you’re mine.”
“I like that we can push boundaries and love each other.”
“Mmm. Me too.” The boat lurched, and he winked at Zeke. “Guess what? We’re home.” And he was pretty proud of himself for keeping Zeke calm on the trip.
“Almost. We have a car ride, and then we’re home.” Zeke winked at him. “Good day?”
“You know it was. One of our best days, I think.” He kept Zeke right where they were until most of the boat had emptied out, and then they made their way to the dock without having to be penned in by a crowd.
Caleb waited for them, leaning against the car and sipping a coffee. “Good afternoon. Did you have fun?”
“So much fun. The restaurant you suggested was great.” He leaned closer to Caleb and stage-whispered. “Zeke ordered a guitar.”
“Oh, wow! So cool, man! That’s exciting.” Caleb grinned at Zeke. “Did you two want to head back to the resort or did you have something else you needed, Sir?”
He wasn’t going to push his luck. He wanted this to end on a high note for his boy. “I think we’re ready to go home, thank you.” He opened the back door and let Zeke climb in first.
“Thank you, Sir,” Zeke whispered, his boy’s eyes closing almost immediately. “It’s been a big day.”
“Indeed.” He put his arm carefully around his boy’s shoulders so as not to touch the stripes and let Zeke lean against him.
He was so proud. It had been a very big day.