Page 19 of Lost Little Boy (Pride Camp 2025 #5)

Chapter Fourteen

Wex

We ordered a sausage board with beer cheese dip and hot pretzel bites. We were sitting at the end of the patio where we could still hear the band, but it didn’t drown out our ability to converse.

“So, Daddy, what are your rules?” Perry had an inquisitive expression with those big brown eyes and sassy grin that I loved to see.

My head was filled with things I wanted to tell him, but it was best to start slowly and add rules as necessary. If I barked out the things I was thinking, I was sure I’d scare him away.

“I already told you I want you to let me know where you are. Texting is fine, but since you’re going to live in your old apartment, I want you to call me before you go to bed so I can tell you a proper goodnight.

Also, I expect you to eat regularly. I get the impression that you don’t always eat a full meal, and that’s not good for you, sweet boy.

Working in the center in the afternoons, those kids will run you ragged, so you’ve got to take care of yourself.

If I need to step in, I can promise you won’t like it. ”

I was so grateful the part-time position in the daycare center had worked out. At least he had something to look forward to, and he could decide if it was what he wanted to pursue.

I took a breath before I told him the rest. “I went today and signed the six-month lease at your old apartment in my name. I paid the rent up front and the security deposit. The workers were already in the apartment filling holes and getting ready to paint. The leasing agent is going to change the locks on Monday morning, so you can move back that evening. We’ll drive by there to get the keys on the way to work. ”

His face flushed, and I could see he was gearing up for a fit.

I reached over the table to take his hand again.

“Another rule. No arguing with me if we don’t agree on something.

I will do anything for you as long as I believe it’s in your best interests, Perry.

If you have a specific issue with something I want to do for you, I’ll listen to your reasons against my proposal, but I may not change my mind. ”

He pulled his hand away and crossed his arms over his chest, staring at me with a snarl—just like a disgruntled child. “Another rule. If you act out because you don’t like something I’ve said or done, you will be punished.” That wiped the snarl off his face in a heartbeat.

“Punished? Beaten like I was when I was a kid? That’s a hard no for me.

Excuse me. I’m going to the restroom.” He stomped away, and I chuckled.

He was a live wire as I suspected. I didn’t want to break him.

I could see he’d had a hard life, and I wanted to replace those horrible memories with much better ones.

I had to show him I wasn’t like whoever had been responsible for the hell he went through.

“You can be mad and disagreeable if you want, but we need to have these discussions so we both know what to expect from each other and this relationship. Now, what pissed you off? When I mentioned punishing you, you immediately got angry. I want to know why.” I started the car, figuring he needed to stew on what I’d said so I drove us to the building where I lived while in Virginia.

We got out of the car, and I grabbed my messenger bag while Perry got his backpack.

I reached for his hand, but he jerked it away.

I longed for the connection to him as we talked, but I wouldn’t force him.

Seemed as though a lot of people had forced him to do things in the past that he didn’t want to do.

I needed to make one thing very clear. “Perry, I will never ever put my hands on you in a way you don’t want.” The elevator dinged, so we stepped on—the silence between us hanging in the air like a foul stench.

He’d said nothing since he’d returned from the restroom at the restaurant, and it was maddening. I had no idea why he wouldn’t talk to me. When we got to the eleventh floor, we stepped off the car, and he followed me down the hallway. I unlocked the door and opened it for him to go inside.

I put my messenger bag on the chair by the couch and took off my suitcoat, hanging it over the back. Perry stood in the middle of the room looking around for a few moments before he stared at me. “Where are my things?”

It was a two-bedroom apartment with two full bathrooms. I didn’t want him to feel trapped, so I’d put his things in the second bedroom so he could decide where he slept and dressed. I hadn’t opened the suitcase, and I had put the box with his private things in there, too.

“First bedroom down the hall. You want a beer or wine? You didn’t eat much and you didn’t drink your beer at the restaurant.” Without responding, he dashed down the hall.

I opened the cabinet over the refrigerator and pulled down a bottle of something harder than wine or beer. I grabbed a glass and poured two fingers of Jameson before shooting it back and adding another two fingers before going to the living room.

I put my glass on the end table and untucked my shirt to get comfortable. I took my drink and stepped out onto the balcony to take a breath of the night air.

There was a small outdoor table and chairs, so I took a seat, watching the traffic on Wilson Boulevard as everyone had a better time than me. I’d had such high hopes for our talk, but obviously, that all went to shit in a hurry.

“Does that offer of a beer still stand?” I glanced over my shoulder to where Perry stood at the doorway .

I put my glass on the table and stood, stepping closer to him. “Yes, sweet boy. I’ll get you one. Do you want to come sit outside with me?”

He gave me a sheepish nod, so I went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of beer, opening it and walking outside.

He was sitting in the chair across from me, but that wouldn’t do.

I took his hand and gently pulled him to sit on my lap so we could talk.

I hoped if I held him while we discussed what happened earlier, things might go smoother.

I wrapped my left arm around his waist and put my hand on his thigh before I kissed his temple. “Can we talk now?”

Perry sniffed. “I’m sorry. There are things I don’t like to think about that happened in my life. You need to know some stuff about me, but it’s hard for me to get the words out.” His voice was soft, and I could feel him trembling in my arms.

I gave him a gentle squeeze. “Sweet boy, we all have baggage. I’ve done some shit I’m not proud of, but it’s all part of growing up. We make mistakes and we learn from them. I can wait until you’re ready to tell me, but please, don’t shut me out.”

Perry put his bottle on the table and rested his head on my shoulder.

“When I aged out of the foster system, I was kicked out of the boys’ home.

No explanation or assistance in any way.

I didn’t have much stuff, a few clothes and a little money I’d made working as a janitor at a homeless shelter in Nashville.

I’d saved enough to buy a bus ticket to Bristol, Virginia.

From there I hitchhiked to get to DC, and sometimes I had to give favors to the truck drivers who gave me rides. ”

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, so I kissed his cheek. “Okay. I get it, but honey, you were doing what you had to do to get where you needed to go. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, sweet boy.”

“I didn’t stop doing it when I got here. I worked the streets in DC until I got a job at a little coffee shop and one of my coworkers told me about an employment agency that helped sex workers get off the streets. That was how I got connected with a job as a janitor at Howard University.

“I shared an apartment with the other guy who worked there until he moved to Baltimore. It goes on from there, but long story short, I did it off and on until I got the job with Grassley. Thankfully, I’ve been paid enough as a janitor to be able to take care of myself.

I can pay my own rent, and I can buy my own food.

I don’t need your money, Daddy. I just need you. ”

He wrapped his arms around my neck and when I felt the moisture on my skin, I held him as tightly as I could.

“ Baby boy, you’ve got me, but I’m afraid there’s money I want to spend on you, so please, don’t be mad at me.

I have no greater desire than to take care of you.

I would go to the end of the earth for you, Perry.

I don’t think this is something we can’t work through, okay? ”

I kissed his temple as we sat together quietly. My sweet boy needed to know his worth, and I’d be damned if I wasn’t the man to teach it to him. In my heart, I had the feeling we could help each other, because at the end of the day, I believed I was as lost as my boy.

I was able to convince Perry to share my bed, though nothing happened except a few kisses and lots of cuddles.

It wasn’t because I didn’t want to do more because I damn well did.

Perry reasoned that it would be best if he had another round of testing before we were intimate, and I could see he felt strongly about it by the squint of his eyes and the tightness of his mouth, so I didn’t push him.

“I’m scheduled to get tested when we get back from camp, but I have my results from March that I’m disease and virus free.

I will admit that when I was going to business school, I caught crabs from a stranger I met while on spring break in Nassau.

It was cliché that I hooked up with some rando in a bar, but back then, I threw caution to the wind more than I should have. I don’t do that anymore, I swear. ”

Perry laughed before he shivered. “God, my little brother got head lice once, and then we all got it. I can still remember the itching on my scalp before Dad shaved all our heads. I can only guess how much torture it was to have something that itched as much down there .” I joined him in laughing. It had been hell.

“Let’s go to bed. Those kids wore me out.” We finished our drinks and went inside, each taking a bathroom to get ready for bed.

We climbed in, and I held him in my arms. “So, are you going to move into the apartment? Those roommates of yours screwed you, but please let me make it right. It takes nothing away from your ability to take care of yourself, sweet boy.” I kissed his neck as I played the part of the big spoon.

We were both in our boxer briefs, which was a damn shame.

At least, I convinced him not to wear his T-shirt to bed. His skin was warm, and he smelled like every good thing I’d ever smelled, along with a little antiseptic. It was likely a hazard of his job.

“Thank you, Daddy. I might still fight you on some things, but I appreciate that you care.”

He rolled in my arms and tucked himself under my chin, which was fucking perfect. “We have a long way to go, sweet boy. Let’s just keep talking, okay? I think we’ll be good together. Sweet dreams.”

“What would you like to do today, sweet boy?” I poured two cups of coffee and put them on the little table in the apartment as Perry came into the kitchen area rubbing his eyes. He looked so fucking adorable.

I was still in my boxer briefs, though I had put on a T-shirt because I’d ordered breakfast and was waiting for the delivery.

“You said you wanted to go to New York to get your car, so could we do that? I’ve never been to New York.”

I stared at him for a moment, not sure what to say. “You’ll go with me to New York?”

“I, uh, yeah. If you want me to go with you, I’d love to go. I know I was a brat last night—”

I reached for him and kissed his mouth to shut him up.

“You were a sweet boy who was upset, and you’re allowed.

Yes, I want you to go with me. We can get a flight up, go for dinner and maybe see a show if you want, or we can just do some sightseeing around the city.

It won’t be the only time I go back to New York.

I have stuff to handle there, and I’d love it if you’d come with me. ”

Perry grinned. “If you want me to come with you, I’d love to. I’ve never been on a plane, but I’d be happy to do whatever you want.”

I nodded. “If you’re going to allow me to plan things for us, you have to accept the way I do them, okay?”

“Yes, Daddy. We need to keep talking, and I promise I’ll be honest with you.” He leaned over me and kissed my cheek. That was all I needed.

Four hours later, Perry and I were on a shuttle flight from Reagan National to LaGuardia. We hadn’t checked any bags, so we strolled through the airport and got into a taxi without a problem.

I gave the driver my address and took Perry’s hand. He seemed stunned, or so I thought as I noticed his blank stare out the back window and the rigid tension in his body. “You okay, sweet boy?”

“I’m a little overwhelmed from the plane ride, but I’ll be fine.” He squeezed my hand, and I squeezed his in return.

We arrived at my midtown apartment, and I paid the cab driver before I picked up our bags and entered the lobby. “Mr. Grassley, sir, it’s good to see you back. May I help you with your bags? ”

It was Harvey, the daytime concierge and doorman, who was an exceptionally nice man. “Harvey, this is my boyfriend, Perry. Perry, this is Harvey. He runs the place, and if you need anything, Harvey is your guy.”

Harvey chuckled. “Mr. Grassley is being kind, but yes, if you need anything, sir, you just call downstairs on the intercom in the apartment, and I’ll take care of it.”

My boy flashed his eyes at me with raised brows. I smiled. “Thank you, Harvey. We’ve got the bags.”

I took Perry’s hand and led him to the elevator. Harvey hurried over to slide his card into the reader and pressed the button for the fortieth floor since my hands were full. “Welcome home, Mr. Grassley.”

The doors closed, and I turned to Perry. “Welcome home, sweet boy.”

His smile made my day.