Page 101 of B is for Beg

“For grown-ups,” Calvin adds. He nudges Lexi’s shoulder. “See? Grown-ups do get to have fun.”

“I want to go to a grown-up party.”

Everyone laughs.

“You’ve got to grow up first,” Corey tells her. “And you said you didn’t want to.”

“I’ve changed my mind. Can I go when I’m ten?”

“Eighteen,” Archie says.

“Twenty,” Corey amends.

“But that’s…” Lexi counts on her fingers. “Agesaway.” She folds her arms. “That’s not fair.”

“Do you know what else isn’t fair?” Gabe asks.

“What?”

“They only make soft play centres for kids.”

“I would pay good money to go to an adult soft play,” Calvin says.

“That would be pretty amazing,” Archie says.

“I like soft play,” Lexi says. “Daddy, can we go to soft play after dinner?”

“Uh… maybe…” Corey says.

“See? There’s plenty of fun things to do while you’re still a kid,” Gabe says. “Enjoy being young.”

My heart goes all fuzzy at his words. Not because of what he’s said but because of the way he’s interacting with Lexi and cheering her up. He’s amazing. So is Calvin. And I’m about to get all soppy, thinking about how perfect they are.

While everyone else talks, I stay fairly quiet. I’m enjoying watching everyone interact and marvelling at how easily they are getting along. I’m also a little awed by how accepting Archie, Corey, and Lexi are of my relationship with Calvin and Gabe. It gives me hope that everyone will accept us as a triad, even my parents. Unfortunately, that’s probably a wish too far.

22

Gabe

It’s Saturday night, and Cal, Blake, and I are going out for the first time. That’s assuming we don’t count Sunday dinner last week.

I throw a shirt on and do up all but the top two buttons. I don’t bother to check myself out in the mirror. We’re going to a nightclub, not a fashion parade. I turn to find Blake leaning against the doorframe. The sight of him steals the breath right out of my lungs. He’s wearing a loose-fitting sheer, black crop top. Underneath, he’s wearing a stretchy harness in Pride colours that criss-crosses over the top of his chest. He’s also got a pair of tight-fitting black jeans on, which sit low on his hips, revealing a band of black lace underwear. For the first time since I’ve met him, he’s put gel in his hair and spiked it up. He’s also wearing a lot more make-up than I’ve seen on him before. His base of foundation, highlighter, and blusher gives him a flawless complexion and makes his already high cheekbones look razor-sharp. He has matte red lipstick on and is definitely wearing false eyelashes. He has lots of dark blue eyeshadow, creating a smoky-eyed look, with silver glitter on the inside corners.

“You look amazing, baby boy,” I say once I can finally speak again.

He steps away from the doorframe and does a twirl, letting me see the back of the harness. I can’t wait to grab hold of it and pull him to me for a kiss.

“I wanted to look pretty for you both, Daddy,” he says, leaning against the door again. “It’s the first time we’ve gone out together.” He purses his lips and flicks his stare up and down me. “That shirt doesn’t fit you very well, nor do the trousers.”

I glance down at the baggy clothes.

“You’re hiding your body. Why?”

I laugh. “I’d have thought that was obvious.”

“No. You’re beautiful. Why would you want to hide?”

I blush. “I love that you think I’m beautiful, but we all know I don’t have a figure worth showing off.”