Page 24 of Little Treat

The End . . . or continue forthe future.

EPILOGUE

Three Months Later

JAMIE

I got to meet the Maple Kings—well, me and my family. My father actually smiled, which I thought was a signal for medical attention, but it turns out he was just starstruck, and he didn’t offer anyone a single bit of advice while we were there.

We actually made it to several of the home games as afamilyunit. It was surprisingly fun. The team weren’t on a winning streak at all, but they managed to get in a couple of wins, and they were now fifth on the conference table, which was a comfortable middle position, and my father didn’t see the need to complain about that, acting like he had a stake in the team.

When Daddy came out to the team, apparently everyone took it well, and there was a piece about it in one of the hockey magazines. It was a supportive piece, and I even got mentioned by name—as did the chocolate shop, which my dad pulled from the magazine, snipped it up, and framed it. He was no longer giving me such a hard time about working hard, and I wished I was kidding but I loved it when he did. I liked being pushed to be my best.

It was now the middle of the March, and the season was almost over. The Maple Kings were playing against the Penguins, and we were winning. I was in the box, dressed completely in team colors and even the jersey. I always thought the jerseys looked a little silly, but now I got it. They were comfy, and if the team needed, I’d be out there on the ice in a heartbeat—even if I wasn’t someone who could skate too well.

There was a view of the coaches, and occasionally I’d catch Daddy Logan’s eye—he’d wink, and I hoped nobody else thought those winks were for them. They’d be sorely mistaken,because he only had eyes for me—and I had a dresser at his place it was full of onesies to prove it. He’d surprised me with a new one almost every time I’d stayed over.

Both stands of supporters were cheering and chanting, each one trying to be louder than the other. It wasn’t the first time my voice had become hoarse from excited screaming. My mom had invested in some noise-cancelling earplugs, but there could’ve been another reason and use for those back home.

***

I lay in the center of Daddy’s king-size bed, legs spread like I was a starfish. Every home game I’ve attended, I’ve stayed the night—while my folks were sent home in one of the fancy SUVs my Daddy was paying for. I didn’t dare ask him how much he was paying since my folks could’ve driven themselves, but even three months later, he still felt the need to try and impress them.

His heavy footsteps trampled up to the bedroom, slowly, and I could hear the sound of fabric shifting around on top of other fabric. He was undressing. He reached the bedroom, and I watched with my head slightly over my shoulder. In his underwear, Daddy walked so slowly, like he was a zombie with heavy limbs, and he threw himself onto the bed, his face in my ass. “Oh no, what is this heavenly pillow I’ve found myself on?” He gently banged his head on my ass as if he was fluffing it up. “So soft. I hope my baby comes home soon.”

I wiggled my bum, tensing it under his face. “I’m here,” I said in a giggle.

Daddy pulled himself up my body, dragging the hard lump in his boxers against me. He lay his warm hairy body on my back as he kissed my neck. “Mhm,” he let out in my ear. “I’m sorry I’m late,” he said.

“You were celebrating,” I said.

“You could’ve come and celebrated with us,” he said. “Other team members’ partners were there.”

“I’m still nervous,” I confessed. “What if they don’t like me?”

Daddy kissed my neck. “I love you, and that’s all that matters.”

“That’s true. Daddy’s love is the only thing that matters,” I said. “Next time I will.”

“As long as we win,” he chuckled. “You don’t want to be around when we lose.” He kissed my neck with a couple more pecks. “I also got the date of the next gen tech event, and I get a plus one.”

I tightened beneath him, which he might’ve enjoyed if it wasn’t because of the pure anxiety he’d unleashed. “You sure?”

“You, all suited and booted? I can’t think of a better way to introduce the two of us to the world.”

“I love you,” I said. “Like a lot.”

Daddy rolled off me. “Then you’ll accept my invite?”

He’d got me there. I would have to accept, and I was going to be known as his partner—boyfriend, lover, best friend. I giggled to think of how I’d be labelled. “I accept,” I said. “All you’ve got to do now is put a Ring Pop on my finger.”

We looked into each other’s eyes. I didn’t want to blink, I felt so connected to him. Like the universe had us linked forever now. His smile met my smile. His leg tucked under mine and pulled us into a lock. His arm over my back, he pulled me so close and craned his neck to kiss me.

“You’re my world, Jamie.”

I shed a single tear, quickly absorbed into the pillow. “You’re my universe,” I said with a sniffle and a giggle.

We went on and on. It started out as playful, but then it got serious. He was my universe, and like the universe, we were everlasting.

The End.