Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Avery
“Thank you,” Avery said for what had to be the hundredth time of the night.
Everyone was so nice giving him hugs or pats on the back. His closest friends, friends from the club, his co-workers, boss. Everyone that Avery cared about was there.
“Hey,” Mitch whispered in is ear. “Come with me.”
Avery smiled at the friends from the club before allowing Mitch to draw him away from the small group. “Thanks.”
“You look like you need some air,” Mitch said.
“It’s just a lot of people,” Avery replied. “I know they’re my friends and I’m glad everyone came but—”
“But you need a break,” Mitch finished. He held open the door before allowing Avery to slip out.
“I’m peopled out,” Avery admitted. He strolled over to the side of the building and leaned against the cool siding.
“Me too.” Mitch stood next to Avery, nudging his shoulder. “It was fun though.”
“Good party,” Avery agreed. As tired as he was, Avery was slowly bringing his thumb to his mouth.
Slipping an arm around Avery’s shoulder, Mitch pulled him close. “I’ve got you. Go ahead.”
Avery slipped his thumb between his lips and started to suck then buried his face in Mitch’s chest in case anyone found them.
Closing his eyes, Avery sucked while giving his brain a few minutes to rest. Big groups were hard for him. Even if all the people that were there Avery genuinely liked. Being rejected his entire life, Avery still had moments when he wondered if his friends would turn their backs on him.
All he wanted in his life was to fit in. To be normal. The normal kid at school, or work, or wherever. Turned out that Avery still wasn’t normal. He was special.
Jace had shown him that Avery didn’t have to try to act like everyone else did when that wasn’t what made him happy.
Being a little to an amazing caretaking Daddy was what made Avery truly happy.
“There you are,” Caleb whispered. “We were looking for you.”
“Just need a moment,” Mitch said.
“Hugs?” Hayley asked.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Jayme said.
Avery lifted his head. All his closest friends were standing around him. Caleb was the first to move, closing in on the opposite side as Mitch. Hayley and Jayme separated to cuddle into their sides. Sammy and Marco were smiling and Avery waved them closer as well.
“Group hug!” Jackson declared before picking up Michael and practically crushing the rest of them.
Thumb still in his mouth because he didn’t have to hide his true self from his friends, Avery laughed. They were really in a large group hug. Avery had such an amazing group of friends, of family, and they’d come to him just to make sure that Avery was okay at his own party.
“What’s going on here?”
Avery lifted his head before he pulled out his thumb from his mouth. “Group hug, Daddy.”
“I can see that,” Jace said with a soft smile.
“It was a very important job,” Jackson claimed. “And my idea. You’re welcome.”
“Is that so?” Master Finn questioned as he strode forward. “I released you from your cuffs to allow you to go to the bathroom. I turned around and all you boys were gone.”
Jackson shoved Michael in front of him. “Michael made me come out here.”
Avery giggled. Watching the three of them together was so much fun.
“Really?” Michael smacked Jackson’s stomach.
“You did!” Jackson cried. “I was going to straight back to Finn.”
“You were eating another piece of cake,” Marco said.
“Traitor!” Jackson dramatically staggered back. He grabbed Avery, this time using him as a shield as Finn strode closer.
“I also said no more cake,” Master Finn said sternly.
“Someone is in trouble,” Jayme singsonged.
Avery did not want to be in the middle of this. He glanced over at his Daddy.
“How about a walk?” Jace asked, holding out his hand.
“Sure.” Avery wiggled out of Jackson’s hold just before Master Finn caught Jackson’s chain and fastened it to his pants.
Mitch caught him and kissed Avery’s forehead. “Love you.”
Avery beamed back. “Love you too.”
“Good. Have fun.” Mitch ushered Avery toward Jace who immediately captured his hand.
“Come on, baby boy,” Jace encouraged.
“It’s okay?” Didn’t they have guests that they needed to worry about. Avery didn’t want to be a bad host.
“Yes, Clint knows where we’re going and Grant and Lance are breaking up the party so everyone goes home. You were very good tonight but you don’t need to be there as they leave.”
Avery didn’t want to admit how relieved he was. The party was super fun but he was tired. As Jace held his right hand, Avery returned his thumb to his mouth. Usually he’d ask for one of his binkies but he didn’t want to have to go back inside in case Jace didn’t bring it with him.
It was so nice out of the property of the camp.
When Avery had first started working there, everyone referred to the property as a training center. And that made sense since that was where the dogs worked toward their certifications, but that wasn’t all they were.
The Canine Companion Camp was so much more.
They accepted donated dogs and even purchased some from other programs like theirs.
Except there no dog was turned away if they didn’t pass the program.
Sometimes the canines didn’t have the motivation or will to be a service animal.
So they got to be a companion. Not every veteran needed a dog that could alert or help with a disability.
Sometimes the person just needed to meet their furry best friend.
In a little over three years the program had grown to be recognized around the country.
Pride filled Avery every morning that he pulled on the collared shirt with the paw logo. Sharing a walk with Jace around the massive property made Avery just as proud.
While his Daddy often dropped by and was a familiar face around, Jace was always focused on Avery. That Avery was happy and getting everything that he needed. Or when a dog left with their forever human Jace reminded Avery that the canine was completing their journey.
They didn’t often get to just stroll around the grounds like this.
The building except for the main office and kennels were spread out around the property. Clint had managed to buy more land that surrounded the camp to expand someday. He had big plans for the program.
Clint wanted a place where veterans could come and heal. Where the canines would never know loneliness. Clint often sat with Avery and talked about his grand plans because he knew that Avery would be with him every step of the way.
Jace started to lead Avery toward the kennels.
“I think the dogs are sleeping,” Avery told him. He was glad his furry friends had been able to join for the beginning of the party where they fetched balls and got lots of love and pats. Gio had taken them away hours ago so they could be settled in for the night.
“We’re not going inside,” Jace said.
That was fine with Avery. He’d spent a lot of time petting Gus and explaining that he would only be gone for a week and that Gus needed to be on his best behavior while Avery was out. He’d also once again told his grump that Gus needed to give Thomas a chance.
Hopefully by the time Avery returned, Gus had formed a bond with Thomas. Even if it was just the start of one.
The property was well lit by floodlights on the edges of buildings as well as standing lampposts that made walking around the paths easier. That was the reason that Avery easily spotted the dog sitting in front of the kennel building.
Avery gasped his thumb falling from his mouth. Gus shouldn’t be out.
“It’s fine,” Jace gave his hand a squeeze. “Clint is there.”
He had to squint but eventually Avery spotted his boss leaning against the side of the building.
“What’s going on?” Avery asked suspiciously.
Jace stopped walking before turning Avery to face him. “Remember that surprise?”
“Oh!” Avery had totally forgotten. He hadn’t even managed to call Mitch and ask for help figuring it out. There had just been so much work that needed to be done before Avery felt comfortable leaving for a week.
He knew that the camp would run without him but Avery still worried. There were applicants waiting for their paperwork to be processed. Dogs that were on a shortlist to be added to the pack. Avery didn’t want any human or dog to fall through the cracks when he was gone.
Since Phil was taking over Avery’s duties, Avery had spent a full hour explaining the status on every file on his computer.
“Baby boy?” Jace took his other hand, holding them both between them.
“I forgot, Daddy. I can’t believe that I forgot!”
“You had a big day,” Jace assured him. “It’s okay.”
“I already got so many presents tonight from everyone,” Avery said. “I don’t need anything else. I promise.”
Jace smiled at him. His eyes sparkling in the dim light. “This isn’t the kind of present that you’re used to.”
“So not a toy,” Avery said.
“Not a toy. This is something very serious,” Jace replied.
That brought anxiety. “Is something wrong? Did I do something?”
“No, baby boy,” Jace said. “Everything is perfect.”
“Perfect?” Avery repeated. Yeah, he thought that. Avery couldn’t be happier but why was Jace telling him this. It was… “You’re acting weird, Daddy.”
That made Jace laugh. “I guess I am.”
“Why?” Avery asked. “Did you not have a good time at the party? Oh! Did you not get the week off? That’s okay—”
“Baby,” Jace said quickly. “I’m going to ask something super important.”
“Okay.”
“I need you not to worry. This is a good surprise,” Jace said.
Then why was Jace acting so weird?
Jace cleared his throat. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
His Daddy nervous? That just wasn’t possible. Avery opened his mouth but Jace shook his head. Okay, he needed to give his Daddy a moment. That Avery did understand.
“Okay,” Jace whispered before clearing his throat again. “I know I’ve told you how proud I am of you.”
Avery nodded. Jace had told him several times.
“You worked hard to get your degree. It wasn’t always easy but you did it because you love these dogs so much. Because you believe in the program.”
“I do,” Avery assured him.