Page 16

16

JOHNNY

“Seriously, guys. He’s so nice and smart and…funny.” I looked at my empty glass and considered my next move. I promised Sawyer I would drink something non-alcoholic after each beer, but my consequences sounded pretty good too.

The server caught my eye, and I pointed at my empty cup. She nodded, and then I turned back to the group.

Morris popped a fry into his mouth and stared at me. “And he’s hot. Don’t forget to tell us for the hundredth time how hot he is.”

“Well, it’s true. He is fucking hot and rich and amazing. You guys are gonna die when you meet him.” Since most of the guys at the table were straight, I didn’t think any of them would really care what Sawyer looked like, but I got definite bi-vibes from Morris, so he might have been overly interested.

“So, why aren’t you with him tonight?” Jake, one of the field adjusters, asked. “Whenever I have a new girlfriend, I have to be with her every minute. It usually takes months before I can go out with the guys again.”

I shrugged and let his words settle a little heavier than they should. “He was really supportive about me coming out tonight. He said he wasn’t mad that I had other plans or anything.” I bit the inside of my cheek, wondering why he didn’t care more. “I think he has some housework to do.”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “Housework? If he’s so rich, why doesn’t he have a housecleaner?”

“I don’t know.” It was a good question. “Maybe he likes to clean. He seems like the cleaning type.”

Alan leaned back and nodded as if he had a clear picture of my relationship now. “Oh, I see. You barely know each other. Well, I hope it works out for you.”

“It will.” I felt like it already had worked out, but maybe I was reading more into our relationship than Sawyer was. I definitely seemed to miss him more. My fresh beer appeared in front of me, and I drank half of it in a single gulp, pondering whether or not Sawyer even liked me.

As we watched the game, I ate a little bit and drank a lot as I let my doubts and insecurities overwhelm me. By the time the first two guys got up from the table to head out, my head was spinning, and I knew I had overdone it. “Dammit. Now I have to call him.” A spanking didn’t sound as fun when I knew I’d feel pukey all night.

Morris laughed and clapped my shoulder. “Why did you keep drinking on a work night?”

“Oh, shit. I kinda forgot about work. Thanks for reminding me.” Ugh. One more reason to regret my life choices. “I gotta pee. brB.”

I left my phone at the table and stumbled my way to the bathroom. I definitely shouldn’t have had those last two beers. And maybe more than a couple fries and a jalapeno popper would’ve been smart too.

When I got back to the table, Morris and Alan were laughing at something. The way they kept glancing in my direction made me think I forgot to zip up my fly.

“What? Do I have TP on my shoe?” I glanced down to check.

Alan laughed and pointed to my phone. “Daddy’s pissed.”

My jaw dropped, and I tapped the screen. “He texted?”

Morris shook his head and held up his palm as a shield. “I told him not to do it. Sorry, bud.”

My eyes didn’t wanna focus, but I finally read what the first messages said. What the fuck? “You told him I’m drunk?”

Alan laughed even harder. “I told him you were peeing, and he asked who I was and why I had your phone, and after I told him that, he asked if you were okay to drive. I said hell to the no. So he’s coming to pick you up.”

“He’s coming now? But I Ubered here.” I wasn’t sure if I should be happy or worried about the fact that Sawyer was coming. I loved that he cared enough to come get me, but I’d never actually been spanked before. What if it hurt? Would I get an adrenaline rush from it? I didn’t think so, which meant it wasn’t gonna be the good kind of hurt.

“Yep.” Morris called over the waitress and turned to me. “Do you want another one?”

“Can I have a Sprite, please?” It was a little late to try to sober up, but even if it didn’t help much, the burst of sugar usually helped my stomach.

“So what’s with the daddy stuff?” Alan leaned forward with his elbows on the table like he was waiting for a juicy story. “Is that just a name or something more kinky?”

I shrugged. “I just like to call him that.”

Alan smirked and nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I get it. I’ve had a girl call me daddy once, and it was pretty hot.”

For me, it wasn’t just a name, it was part of who he was. But I wasn’t in the frame of mind to try to explain our dynamic with coworkers. Morris understood enough not to ask any questions, and since things with Sawyer were still so new, I didn’t completely have all the answers myself.

My Sprite arrived, and it did help settle my stomach for a bit, but as soon as I felt that firm hand on my shoulder, every muscle tensed up again.

“Jonathan.” Sawyer appeared beside me and clapped the back of my neck. “Are you okay?”

I nodded and avoided his gaze. “Sorry they had my phone. I was gonna call you myself right after I got back from the bathroom, but I got a ride here, so I wasn’t gonna drive anyway. I promise.”

He raised an eyebrow as if he wasn’t completely sure what to believe, but he didn’t seem angry. “Are you ready to head out or do you need some more time?”

“I’m ready.” I looked at my friends and smiled. “By the way, this is Sawyer. Sawyer, this is Morris and Alan. The other guys left already.”

He shook their hands and pulled a hundred dollar bill from his wallet. “Will this cover his tab?”

Morris’s eyes were wide as he nodded. “It’ll cover all of our tabs.”

Sawyer merely nodded and helped me up from where I was sitting. “It was nice to meet you guys.”

I gave a pathetic wave to my friends as I turned to leave. “See you tomorrow. I’ll be the one wearing dark glasses and nursing a hangover.”

“Feel better, Johnny.” Alan chuckled and waved too. “Nice to meet you, Daddy.”