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Chapter Five

Kyler

“Does everyone remember how many duckies they’re allowed to catch?”

“Five!” the group shouted in unison at Mark’s question.

“Perfect. First one to get all five, hold your net up and shout winner, winner, chicken dinner.” They giggled at him. “Just kidding. Hold up your net and shout done. Now, let’s practice. On the count of three, shout it out. One, two, three!”

“Done!” Every voice shouted.

“Perfect. Mommies and Daddies, into the canoes we go.”

We followed Mark out of the mess hall, the littles marched like soldiers until my giggling Sprite spotted the lake and took off at breakneck speed.

One of Henry’s daddies was kind enough to stay behind and help Mark get the canoes launched.

Sadly, none of the ones we purchased would seat three, which was definitely something to consider for future events.

Most of the duckies had settled along the edges of the lake, making it a bit more challenging to collect them. The sides were rocky, and the canoes couldn’t get close to every shoreline because of that, so it’d take a bit of net maneuvering to get to them.

“Almost there, Daddy,” Roen grunted as he stretched his arms out as far as they would go. “Got it. Look Daddy, this one has a bow tie on him.”

“That he does, and a tiny tuxedo. We bought a mixed box, so there’s a bunch of different ones out here. Maybe if you get doubles you could trade with some of the others.”

“Ohhh, good idea. Let’s hurry up and get four more.”

“Done!” a voice shouted, and all heads turned toward it.

“Looks like Jamie won,” Roen sighed. “He loves animals. His playroom is decorated like a zoo. It’s so cool. I’m happy for him.”

“You’re such a sweet boy. Come on, let’s finish up. What kinds do we have now?”

“Um, a bow tie one, a devil one, and a vampire.”

“Orion Michael, sit down before you…” Splash! Over the side Orion and his Daddy Alex went. Not good.

Roen shook his head. “He’s a naughty little.”

“Yes, indeed. His daddy has the patience of a saint.” Or was a glutton for punishment?

The jury was still deliberating that. The boy was cute, no doubt about it, but his horns and tail weren’t hidden well.

Maybe that was the allure? To each their own and all that, but a naughty boy wasn’t my cup of tea.

By the time we returned to the dock, a drenched Orion and Alex had just made it ashore. Richard and Jacob stood waiting for their friends with towels in hand. Alex was none too happy, but he made sure his boy got all five of his duckies, whether he deserved them or not.

“Roen, why don’t you run along with the others while I help Mark put away the canoes.”

“Okay, Daddy.” He rose up on tiptoes, gave me a kiss, and wandered off with his friends as they had show and tell with their new tubby friends.

“Ah, kissing now are we?” Mark teased.

“It’s been an interesting couple of days, that’s for sure.”

“Interesting, good or bad?”

“Good, very good.” That reminded me. “What’s pet play?”

Mark nearly choked. “I’ll send you some links but it’s really enjoyable. Why do you ask?”

“Vivienne wants to talk on Friday about scheduling a group with littles and pet play. She gave a brief explanation after I put my foot in my mouth and mentioned I wasn’t sure we could have non-domesticated animals here.

” That got my former best friend rolling with laughter. “Laugh it up, but you did this to me.”

“I’ve enlightened you.”

“You’ve done something though I’m not quite sure what it is yet.

” Possibly set me up for heartbreak when Roen leaves come Sunday.

I felt like I was lost in one of my beloved fated mate’s stories I binged, having fallen head over heels the moment we met.

Like fate had intervened or in my case, a meddling best friend.

“Come on, let’s join the others.”

As we neared the mess hall, Alex and Richard were outside chatting. Orion came skipping out of their cabin, mischief written all over his face. “Daddy, Daddy, my duckie rode the swirly toilet waves to Australia.”

It took me a minute and when it hit, it hit all of us at once. “Orion Michael, you’ve been to Australia, and you know it doesn’t work that way.”

“I’ll grab the plunger. See you in a bit.

” Mark headed for the tool shed while poor Alex stomped off toward their cabin, cursing under his breath.

When he reached Orion, he slung him over his shoulder fireman style and repeatedly swatted his ass.

Mark was right behind them with a plunger in hand.

Hopefully the duck didn’t pass the p-trap then Mark wouldn’t have to pull the toilet.

Orion would be screwed if it did 'cause it’ll be bye-bye duckie when it gets diverted to the septic tank instead of Australia.

Richard and I went inside the mess hall to help supervise. Some were coloring while others swapped and played with their ducks. What a wonderful group, so vibrant and full of life. Laughter being shared between new friends and old ones. No one was excluded nor sat alone.

“We’ve created something truly amazing.” I jumped and clutched my chest. “Sorry, thought you saw me come back in.”

“Did the duck make his flight?”

Mark laughed. “No, thank fuck. It didn’t even hit the pipe. I reached in and pulled it right out. When I left a very red assed Orion was sobbing in the timeout corner.”

I glanced over at Orion’s BFF Jacob as he merrily chatted away with the others, glad to see the incident and his missing friend hadn’t affected him any.

“But you’re right, this is beyond my wildest dreams.” A packed house full of happy faces was a dream come true. And had I found love too?

“You got it bad, my friend.”

“Isn’t it too fast?” That and Roen leaving were my two biggest fears.

“This is a very fast paced lifestyle. You and Roen move at your pace and no one else’s.

The best way to be a proper daddy is to dive right in.

Taking Roen out for a date is always a great idea too, don’t get me wrong.

But when you know, you know and your little has known you were his daddy for a while now. Deep breath, Kyler.”

“Remind me again on Sunday morning when he’s checking out and leaves forever.”

“Forever doesn’t have to be.”

Mark wandered off, leaving me to ponder his parting words.

The rashest thing I’d ever done was to sell everything I owned including my home, co-purchase this property with him and move up here.

Beyond that everything I did was calculated to the nth degree.

Analyzed and overanalyzed until I knew every possible outcome.

Until now.

Two days. That’s all it’s been but I fell into the role of Roen’s daddy with an ease like never before. Was this just a playdate? According to Mark it was real for Roen. Could that hold true for me as well? A better question was did I want it to?

My heart said yes but it warred with my analytical brain.

Time to clear my thoughts was warranted. I slipped out the back door of the kitchen and returned to the office and buried my head in the sand in the form of paperwork. As usual, I lost track of time only realizing it when someone tapped on the front door glass.

There he was, smiling back at me. Roen stirred everything inside of me and I came alive whenever he was near.

He greeted me with a hug and a kiss after he stepped inside. “Thought I might find you here. Did it get too noisy for you?”

“No, just had some paperwork to do.”

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Shut it, brain.

“Do you um, do you think we could hang up the bird feeders tomorrow?”

I eyed the box on the counter, feeling like a complete and total ass. Roen was sincere and he was real about who he was and what he wanted. I was nothing more than a pansy ass hiding away from his feelings.

“I think that’s a great idea.” Tomorrow we had a light day event wise. I left it open for the guests to explore the town or swim or fish. Whatever they wanted.

Buckle up, daddy and don’t disappoint your boy.

“I actually came to get you for dinner but saw the box there,” he pointed to the desk where it sat.

“Let me grab my keys and lock up.”

Deep breath, Kyler. You’ve got this.

And don’t fuck it up.

“How about a lazy day tomorrow getting to know each other?” I took his hand in mine and swung them between us.

When he turned his bright smile on me I knew there was no way I was going back.

Yeah, it may only be a few days in but long distance or not we could make this work.

Besides, we’ve actually known each other for months, so it’s not like life dropped a complete stranger on my lap.

And I really, really, wanted this to work out. Whatever this was or came to be.

“I’d like that. We could swim and swing and play on the jungle gym. Ooh, do you think we could fish? I haven’t fished in like forever. My dad used to take me all the time.”

Immediately, I conjured a plan for a lovely day with my boy. “We can do all of that.” I held the door to the mess hall open for him. “After you, sir.”

Roen giggled, “Thank you, Daddy,” he said then laid a sweet peck on my cheek as he skipped away.

Big Roen and I had many things to discuss. Sure, Mark said that Roen had feelings for me for some time now, but those were words I needed to hear from Roen himself. Tomorrow, this could wait until then. Tonight, we’d enjoy dinner with our friends, and I’d read my Sprite to sleep again.

How had that become my favorite way to end a day after only one reading?

As with each meal, we dined with another group. This time it was with the overzealous Orion, and his Daddy.

“May we join you tonight?”

“Please,” Alex gestured to the empty seats. “I must apologize for Orion’s earlier behavior.” The chagrined boy bobbed his head but said nothing. “A time out and a nap seemed to have served their purpose. Richard and Jacob and Marcel and Ralphie should be joining us shortly.”

I skimmed right past his apology. No reason to hash that up. “Have you enjoyed your time here so far?”

“We have. You’ve done a wonderful job putting this together and there was nothing we’ve had to call the office for. All needs were met without asking.”

“That’s fabulous, but with this being our first event, we’d welcome your feedback and suggestions.”

“If I come up with any I’ll be sure to share them.

What you guys have done here, you’ve really got something.

Richard and I have tossed around putting together lists of businesses within our community.

Contractors, accountants, and so forth. Of course, it would require an NDA be signed to maintain anonymity, but by the same token, for some there’s a certain comfort level in knowing whoever they hired won’t turn their nose up or refuse service to them because of their lifestyle. ”

I was a part of their lifestyle. Why did that feel like I’d joined the best fraternity on campus?

“Makes complete sense.” Not sure where we fit into all of that. Well, Ramsey would but how would R & R Adventures?

“With regard to this place, it would be great to have a lifestyle friendly vacation destination to share with others.”

There it was. “Yes, please, by all means share away. I have cards in the office, I’d be happy to supply you with some.” Hell, I’d give him a box at this point. So far the feedback had been consistently positive, and I was thrilled beyond belief.

“I’ll be sure to grab some before we leave. We’re taking advantage of the free day tomorrow and making a trip into town, wander around and see what’s there.”

“That was my hope. I’ve met with most of the local businesses and the town council.

They were unanimously thrilled with us revitalizing the cabins and bringing in more foot traffic.

The soaps in your units are all natural and locally sourced as well as the shampoos and conditioners.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have a children’s tear free version, but the vendor is working on it.

It’s a dream to be sustainable and unified with the community here. ”

“Hmm,” Richard said as he and Jacob sat. “I love that concept.” Something passed between him and Alex. I knew they were in business together and they were clearly in tune as well. “What say Alex and I work up a plan, search for other properties such as this and get back to you with some numbers.”

“Investing in businesses such as yours is right up our alley,” Alex added.

“Wow, I’m blown away. I mean, this is my home now, but we’d definitely entertain expansion proposals.”

“Can you put together your business model, costs, times and such and send it over?” Richard was really on board. Excitement flowed like it had when we first bought the cabins.

“I’m a numbers guy. I already have that right down to the cost of the toilet paper.” Alex and Richard laughed. “I’m honored you see our humble venture as worthy of expanding upon or branching out.”

“Very much so.”

“Gentlemen, I don’t mean to intrude, but we share similar interests. I’m Vivienne, I own Blush in Seattle.” Alex and Richard rose and introduced themselves to her. “May my Princess and I join you?”

“Please, it’s a pleasure to formally meet you both. I’m Alex and this is my boy Orion.”

“I’m Richard and this is my boy Jacob.”

“The two of you are spot on. We each have a selection of vendors we use for our clubs but putting together a list of them to share with our members is genius.” Vivienne came across as a no-nonsense woman to me.

“There are hundreds of lifestyle clubs across the US and Canada. Putting together a network of vendors is long overdue.”

Mind. Blown.

So many untapped opportunities. But our conversations had gone on long enough. We each had tired littles yawning beside us.

“This has been a wonderful, enlightening conversation. As much as I’d like to continue it, I have a sweet boy in need of a bedtime story.” Right on cue, Roen yawned.

“Spoken like a true daddy,” Alex winked at me. “But yes, let’s all exchange information and schedule a conference call for after we return home. Does that work for you, Vivienne?”

“Perfectly. Gentlemen, it was wonderful meeting you, and I look forward to further discussions with you. Kyler, I’d still like to meet you on Friday to discuss a future booking.”

“Absolutely. Enjoy the rest of your evening, everyone.” I was beaming.

In heaven if you will. How our simple venture had been viewed as something more thrilled me beyond belief.

To bring joy to others and a sense of belonging was priceless, and to think that R & R had the potential for expansion was remarkable.

But, I had a sleepy boy who wanted tubby time with his new duckies and a book to read and that had to come first. Business could be dealt with later, but my Sprite was for now.

Life was good.

Now to keep my head out of my ass so I didn’t stand in my own way.