Two
Shaun
Condensation from my glass slicks my palm as I lift it to my lips. The amber liquid burns as I take another sip. Ice clinks against the glass as my shaky hand sets it back on the sleek black bar top.
"What's got you on edge, friend?" Jasper asks.
Jasper has been a friend of mine for a few years.
He took me under his wing when I first started experimenting with the BDSM lifestyle.
Introducing me to a couple of other daddies in Rockport Ridge, and over the years, we developed a tight bond.
Jasper owns the club here in Bedford City and was dating a middle named Carlos back in Rockport Ridge; commuting back and forth a few times a week.
When Carlos graduated, he moved up here to be with Jasper and has more opportunities for working with his degree in graphic arts.
When Carlos moved out, his roommate didn't take it well and was heartbroken. Noah and Carlos are both middles and tight like brothers. The only thing that eased Noah’s pain was having his boyfriend, Marcus, asking him to move in with him.
He promised that they would have playdates as often as possible with Carlos.
It's been four years now, but feels like yesterday.
Jasper clears his throat, and I look up at him through my lashes as if I wasn't just lost in memories of the past.
"Seriously?" I quirk a brow.
"Ah…the lawsuit." He pulls the small towel off his shoulder and wipes the already clean bar top. "How's that going? It's been a hot minute, hasn't it?"
"Over a year. I'm in town to meet with the law firm tomorrow morning. Something about a new settlement deal they want me to sign." I inhale deeply and try to relax my shoulders.
"That's good. Right?"
I shrug. I have no idea. "It's the prosecution, so anything can happen."
Jasper leans over the counter and talks quietly. "I still think the whole thing is bullshit, and something isn't adding up. You need a better attorney. Yours is a fucking wimp."
I let out a soft chuckle because he isn't wrong. "I agree. But who? It's so late in the game nobody would dare touch it at this point. All I can hope for is to not lose my license in the end." Malpractice lawsuits are touchy. Even if I'm cleared of all charges, it tarnishes my name and reputation.
"We're all behind you. You know that, right?
" I nod. I did know that. Barrett, Marcus, and Jasper have been by my side for years.
"And you will always have a place here behind the bar with me at Pierre's.
" The kink club named after his French heritage. He says it means solidity and reliability. I tease him that it just means rock. But in a way, that fits too. Ha has been my rock for years, and he doesn’t even know it.
Shaun slides another drink over, and the alcohol helpings.
"The little room is having a special event tonight.
Why don't you go check it out to get your mind off things?
" He holds a hand up as my mouth falls open to decline.
"Not to play. Maybe just being around all the cute littles will help you relax more.
Who knows? Maybe one will catch your attention, and you can do a scene tonight. No pressure."
Walking through the dim club, it's impressive how Jasper turned a kink club into something so classy.
I've been to some that were nothing but sectioned-off areas for demonstrations; the smell of lube and leather filling the space. Here, the central area is clean and masculine. The rooms for playing and demos are located down one hallway, with the middle space set up for gaming. At the far end of the hallway is a massive nursery–every little’s dream space.
Stepping into the nursery, Jasper wasn't lying. The event is in full swing, and I take a seat along the wall with a few other mommies and daddies. After making introductions, I glance around at the activities that are going on. And of course there’s glitter.
My chest pangs at the sight of sparkles, reminding me of my time with Kai. That boy loved anything that sparkled.
"What's the special occasion?" I ask Amber, sitting next to me. Her little is currently frosting cookies. I think. There is more frosting on her than on the cookie, but Amber is just smiling away at her.
"Tonight is a fundraiser that I spearheaded for the LGBTQ+ center here in town. We’re raising money for homeless youth who have been kicked out of their homes.
All funds are going to be donated to the shelter to help them with essentials.
" Her eyes look a little glassy when she looks back at me. Emotional.
"I grew up in a home that was full of toxic masculinity. I didn't come out until I was in college, in fear of the same outcome. These kids are so brave to take a stand for who they are at such a young age. Can I make a donation?" Trying to swallow the lump in my throat.
"That would be great. And generous. Thank you."
She gave me the information, and I pulled out my phone to send a few hundred dollars through Venmo. "Sent. Let me know if there is anything else you need."
"Your donation will help a lot." She places her hand on my thigh and gives a gentle squeeze. "Hey, Jasper. Taking a break?" She looks up to see Jasper hovering over the two of us.
"Yep. Just checking on the doc here." Jasper says, grabbing the seat next to me before pushing a cold water bottle into my hand.
"Y'all know each other?" Amber asks.
"We've been friends for a few years," I tell her with a genuine smile.
"Wait. Did you call him doc? As in...doctor?" Amber lifts an eyebrow in question.
"That's right. One with the best bedside manner I've ever met." Jasper brags a little. I take the time to ensure my patients are comfortable. Not very many people actually enjoy going to the doctor.
I nudge Jasper in the side with my elbow. "She's not looking for a business reference." I tease.
"But I might." Amber chimes in.
"What's that now?" My wide-eyed expression just stares at her.
"Look. I know you said you're only here for a few days, but would it be possible to set up a meeting with you this week? I have an idea on how you can help at the shelter. If you were serious about wanting to help out."
"Of course. Let me know what I can do." And I might be spending a lot more time here in Bedford City, depending how the meeting goes Monday morning.
I reach into my wallet and pull out a business card. When Amber glances down, her eyes pinch in the middle. "You're a gynecologist?"
"That is what I specialize in, yes," I tell her proudly.
"Wait." She shakes her head. "Jasper, how would you know what Shaun's bedside manner is like? Or were you just being a supportive friend?"
"Nope. Shaun is my doctor, and he's nothing but professional and the best." Jasper says proudly, leaving so much unsaid. I just smirk and nod when Amber looks at me.
"Sorry. Patient confidentiality and all.
" I tell her just as my eye catches a cute blonde across the room, struggling with the glue.
He's wearing a light blue wrist band signaling that he identifies as a male little, and a green wristband meaning that he's open to play.
My matching dark blue wristband signals that I'm a daddy.
My yellow wristband indicates that I'm observing, and if you'd like to play, please ask first. "Excuse me," I tell Jasper and Amber.
I get up and walk over to the table with several littles and squat next to the boy. "Hi there. I'm Shaun, and it appears you might be having a bit of trouble. Would you like some help?"
"I Ben. Dat wud be nice. It hard to glue sum stuff," he tells me in the cutest little voice ever. "We make pape dolls."
I look at the supplies on the table, along with the cardboard cutouts of the dolls. "I love making dolls, Ben. These have several parts and can get a bit tricky. How about I place the glue for you, and you can put the pieces together?"
"Deal." His grin spreading across his face.
And that's what Ben and I do. I line up the pieces that he needs, and slowly, we start gluing the pieces together.
Before long, we have a cute girl doll. During the building process, I found out that Ben loves arts and crafts, storytime, and dinosaurs.
The dinos that fly are his favorite. When I asked if he's seen the Jurassic Park movies, he curled in on himself and said they were too scary. Or in his words, 'scawy .'
"I like dat dress." He points at the selections in the middle of the table.
"I think that is a great choice." My heart pangs again with the loss of a certain little from years ago who loved dolls. I add a few dots of glue to the doll, and Ben places the dress on it.
"That's a pretty fancy dress. Where is she going?" I ask because I am now intrigued by his imagination.
"Her go to a pawty."
"That sounds like a lot of fun. Do you like parties?" I ask.
Ben nods, and his blue eyes go wide. "I love pawties. Specially ones wit prezzies."
I let out a bark of laughter. "Those are the best kind."
"Ben! Ben! Over here. It's story time." A little girl with braids calls out to Ben, and he pushes his chair back. When he stands, he looks down at me hesitantly—teeth biting on his lower lip.
"Shaund," the added 'd' to my name kills me, and I bite back a smile. "You come too? Peas."
How can I say no to this sweet boy? "I'd love to join you for story time.
" I take Ben's hand, and he tries to lift me up out of the chair.
Standing next to him, he's at least a foot shorter than my six feet, and he guides me over to the carpet for reading time.
His size reminds me of the barista back home–Caleb.
He and Barrett have invited me over for dinner a few times, and we've also had some playdates with other members of the community.
During the first story, when the knight and prince fight the dragon together, Ben crawls into my lap but doesn't take his eyes off the narrator.
I don't even think he realized he did it.
The narrator's voice is theatrical, and Ben buries his face in my chest as the dragon breathes fire at the prince.
I wrap my arms around this sweet boy instinctively and offer him a comforting squeeze while giving him a kiss on the top of his head. Ben lets out a soft sigh.
By the end of the second book, something about a dinosaur going to the dentist, Ben has drifted off.
I slowly stand, carrying him easily over to one of the mats.
Poor guy is exhausted. Grabbing a nearby unicorn stuffed toy, I tuck it under his arm and brush his blond curls from his forehead before leaning back against the wall to watch over him.
"I see you met Ben," Amber whispers as she takes the empty space on the floor next to me.
"He seems very sweet," I tell her while keeping my voice low.
"The sweetest. Ben had it rough growing up, and I'm surprised he turned out so sweet. Most kids aren't as resilient and grow up angry with the cards they were dealt. He told me once that he didn’t want to be a product of circumstance." She states with a hint of pride in her voice.
"Was he living in the shelter?"
"Yes. He moved out a year ago. Got a job, finished his GED, and even has a small apartment. He's an amazing kid. Glad you two connected tonight. He needed a strong daddy to give him a little attention." She offers me a wink. "In fact, I think you both needed each other tonight."
Wasn't that the truth. I offer Amber a small smile before looking back down at Ben.
I have to admit, my daddy heart is the happiest it's been in a while, and the stress of the lawsuit all of a sudden doesn't seem so important. It may be time I put the past behind me and find a new little. Perhaps one who enjoys building paper dolls?