Page 33 of Matthias’s Protective Embrace (Cardinal Falls #3)

Yeah, I can’t imagine saying that to him, but it’s not bad advice.

I’m used to fending for myself and figuring out how to put things together.

It’s not that I don’t want help. It’s that no one has ever reliably been there to help me.

At least not without a lot of yelling. Dealing with all of it on my own is easier, safer.

“Did Matthias tell you about the time I got stuck in a tree?”

“What?” I’m not sure I heard him correctly.

“Yep, back in college. I had this big engineering project that I was working on. I got it in my head that I wanted to build a pulley system that would… never mind, the details aren’t important.

What’s important is that I needed a space high enough to test things.

Most of the windows on campus didn’t open, for safety reasons or something.

So I thought I’d use one of the big elm trees on campus.

” He pauses as the waitress shows up with our food.

“So, anyway, I managed to climb up and get my whole system going without issue. It worked perfectly, better than I could’ve imagined.

Then, it’s time to climb down, and I can’t.

I’m not sure what happened, but I couldn’t find any of the footholds I’d used to get up.

No matter what way I moved, I couldn’t get myself down. ”

“Let me guess, you called Matthias, and he came to your rescue?” I can see it. Matthias has been my knight in shining armor so many times. Only makes sense that he’s been practicing for years.

“No, that would’ve been way too reasonable.

I sat there feeling sorry for myself for hours.

I was at my breaking point when it got dark, still trying to work out my own solution, when Matthias showed up.

” He takes a few bites of his meatloaf, humming his approval.

“When I missed our usual meet-up, he got worried and came looking for me. It’s a big campus, but he knew my usual areas, saw my pulley system hanging down from the tree, and figured out what happened.

It took some work, but he was able to get some additional people and help me work my way down from the tree. ”

“I bet you were thrilled.” More reasons to avoid being outdoorsy.

“Embarrassed is more like it. Even more so when Matthias took me back to his room and lectured me for over an hour about how I should’ve called someone and that no matter how stupid it is, the most important thing is that I’m safe.

” Of all Matthias’s friends, I think Aaron’s my favorite.

He gets me and my constant embarrassment in a way I’m not sure the others can.

“That sounds like the same talk I’m going to get.” So far, I’ve managed to avoid breaking any of the rules he’s set for me. It hasn’t been that difficult. Doing homework is easy when he sits close to me. Staying hydrated and eating enough is simple when he provides both the food and water.

“Probably about right. Though yours will probably include more cuddles and kissing than mine did.”

My face flushes because Aaron knows that, even if it is probably obvious.

“Eat up.” He motions to my plate. “But not too fast. When we’re done, I’ll take you to Matthias’s house. ”

“Oh, I’m not going there tonight.” I thought I’d said that already. “I’m going to go home since he’s working.”

“Yeah, I texted Matthias. He’ll be waiting for you.” Aaron smirks.

Shit . Maybe Aaron isn’t my favorite.

MATTHIAS

“Are you okay?” I pull Frank into my arms as soon as he steps onto the porch.

He wraps himself around me, not answering the question.

At least he looks physically alright. I wave at Aaron as he pulls away.

I’m so thankful that he found Frank today.

More thankful right now that he knows I need some time alone with him.

“Come on, Firecracker. Let’s get inside where it’s warm. ”

I pull him into the house, steering us toward the living room.

I’ve got the fire going for warmth and some snacks and drinks on the coffee table.

Even though I know Aaron fed him, I worry.

Plus, it’s hard to know if there was enough for him to eat wherever they went.

Finding food out is hard, and Frank wouldn’t say a word if the menu didn’t meet his needs.

“Now, tell me what happened,” I say, pulling him into my lap. I keep my voice soft. Aaron didn’t say much over text message, only that he had car trouble.

“My car battery’s dead. Again.” The dejected tone in his voice pulls at my heartstrings. “I swear I didn’t leave the light on. I don’t know what happened.”

“There’s a lot of things that could be wrong with it.

” It’s an old car and might simply need a new battery.

I don’t say that right now since it won’t solve anything.

“These things happen sometimes, even if you do everything right.” I rub my hand over his back as he buries his face into my chest. I can feel the stress coursing through him, unable to relax even now that he’s back. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“You were in meetings.”

“None of which are as important to me as you are.” I hide my surprise at the words that came out of my mouth.

People have always been the most important to me.

Ask my friends, and they all know I would drop work for them in a heartbeat, no questions asked, no second thoughts.

In fact, at some point over the years, I’ve done exactly that for all of them.

I don’t think my past partners would say the same. They always claimed that work was the most important thing in my life. I didn’t argue with them either. Probably because they weren’t entirely wrong.

For once, it isn’t true. Frank is more important to me than my work, and I want him to feel that every single day.

“It’s not that far. I could’ve walked. It’s not rainy or anything.” No, but it’s cold out there, and dressing to drive somewhere and dressing for a long walk are two completely different things.

“Can you look at me, please?” It takes several seconds before he pulls away from my chest and tilts his head up.

When his eyes meet mine, I lean in and kiss him softly.

“You, my Firecracker, are the most important thing. Not work. Not social outings. If you need me, I will be there. But for this relationship to work, I need to be your first call. If something’s wrong, no matter how big or how small, I’m your first call.

The only exception is if you need to call nine-one-one.

Then you call them first and me second. That’s a rule. ”

“Okay.” A long silence hangs between us, his shoulders still tense. “Am I in trouble?”

“No, Firecracker. I’m sad you didn’t call me, but now we have an agreement. If you don’t call me next time, then I’ll have to come up with a suitable punishment.” Frank’s eyes get comically large at the mention of punishment.

“Hopefully, there won’t be a next time.”

“There’s always a next time.” Though I hope he’ll remember and call me.

“These things happen. It’s an unfortunate part of life.

Cars have issues. Plans get messed up.” Deep down, he believes that if he works hard enough, there won’t be issues like this.

Sure, he can work to not leave the light on in his car, but eventually, it’ll be something else.

“I have to drop out of school.” The statement comes out as a sob. Before I can say anything, he’s crying against me, his whole body shaking.

“Firecracker, what happened?” This night has taken several strange turns. I let him cry for a few minutes, rubbing small circles against his lower back. When his breathing evens out, I ask, “Did you not do well on your exams?”

“No. I mean, I don’t know yet.” He turns toward me, not meeting my eyes. “I—I’m moving out of my parents’ house, but that means spending a lot more money on rent. I can’t do that and make tuition payments this next term.”

I bit my tongue before I start problem-solving. I’m tempted to fix the whole thing, tell him to move in with me, and I’ll pay his tuition. Then he can focus on work and school and not worry about any of this.

I know Frank, though. He’ll never agree to all that. Plus, as much as I want him here every night, it’s probably too early to move him in. Even though he’s here most of the time .

“Firecracker, what if you let me handle your tuition?” It’s a compromise. I can take one thing off his plate and let him work on the rest.

“I can’t do that.” He sniffles. “What if we break up? Or I fail a class? Or—” I put a finger up to his lips.

“It’s a gift. I have the money, and it’s something I want to do for you.

I’d pay for this spring semester all at once.

Even if something happens between us, your school would be covered until the fall.

” I’m not answering the question about if he fails on purpose.

I think the likelihood is very small. Even if he did, I wouldn’t care. I’ve seen up close how hard he works.

“I—” Frank stutters.

“Don’t say no. At least not right away. Think about it, but know that I’m serious.

I wouldn’t offer otherwise. This is one of the things I can do to take care of you.

As your Daddy.” I kiss him gently, not wanting to push anything at this moment.

“Let’s get to bed.” He hesitates for a second.

“Both of us.” There’s no way I’m letting him out of my sight tonight.

Not solely for his sake. Right now, I need to have him close to me, knowing he’s safe and warm.

Aaron’s first text message tore my heart apart, thinking that my boy might be hurt or in danger.

Cardinal Falls is relatively small, but that doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen.

It only takes us a few minutes to get ready and in bed.

We’re both too exhausted for anything else.

Tucked in, I pull him up close to me, making sure I’m touching as much of his skin as possible.

It takes a few seconds before Frank relaxes, but when he does, I can feel all the anxiety and tension leave his body.

That’s what I want to give him every day, the ability to relax and know he’ll be taken care of. That I’ll take care of him .

“I think Aaron knows you’re my Daddy,” Frank mumbles as my eyes close.

“Shhhh…” I say. “Sleep now.” He does, but I’m wide awake after hearing the words my Daddy come out of my boy’s mouth.