Page 9

This time, I’m not feeling tired or sick.

I greet them with a smile and wave before heading to the back and hanging my things up.

I still carry a jacket with me in case I get cold.

My next stop is the drink cooler we have for bottled water.

I’ll get Austin to ring me up for it. I take my medicine before joining the other two by the espresso machine.

They are always getting their coffee right before we open.

“How are you feeling?” Austin asks. It feels like Deja vu with how many times I’ve heard that question in the last couple of days.

“Much better,” I say. I take another gulp of the cold liquid. “I’m feeling better each day.”

“That’s good,” Orion says. “You didn’t answer your texts last night, so we weren’t sure.”

“Oh sorry.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and try to click it on, but nothing happens. “I guess it died last night.”

“You didn’t notice that your phone died?” Austin asks, sounding skeptical. Or suspicious. I pocket my phone, reminding myself to grab my spare charger in the car on my break.

“I wasn’t home,” I say, offering no other information. They both look at me suspiciously, not relenting. I sigh. “I’m not telling you any more than that.”

“Was it the club?” Orion asks, trailing behind me as I get ready for the morning. The case is already filled with the goodies, but I’ll be making a few sandwiches during the morning rush.

“It wasn’t,” I say. “I just went over to a friend’s house and hung out.”

“Fine, don’t tell us.” Orion pretend pouts and leans against the countertop.

“There's nothing to tell,” I say. I’m not annoyed, I know I’ve given them crap about their Daddies coming around.

It doesn’t help that they both live with their Daddies full time now so there isn’t much to say about Remington or Garrett waiting outside to pick them up.

I can’t lie that I’m a bit jealous of that aspect.

I slip an apron over my head and tie it around my waist. I don’t always wear one, but today this isn’t my shirt so I don’t want to risk getting it dirty.

By the time we’re done with the day, Austin and Orion have already asked me three times about where I was.

I’m grateful for Brandt not saying anything when he comes in for his usual sandwich and coffee. He kept it simple with the usual pleasantries, but gave me an extra smile when I handed the sandwich over to him and our fingers met.

I hear the background music Austin plays from a speaker cut off, letting me know that the last customer has left the building. I finish up the last of the tasks, wiping down the counters and making sure the deli top is properly covered.

My phone buzzes in my pocket as I’m grabbing my jacket. It’s still light outside, but after a long day I’m craving the comfort of the long sleeves and weight.

I smile at the text from Brandt. I haven’t been able to check my phone much during the day, but we’ve texted a few times back and forth. He’s checking on me once more, asking how I’m feeling. I promise him that I've taken my medicine and joke back that he should focus on his actual patients.

Orion is already gone for the day when I walk back out from grabbing my things. Austin is leaning against one of the counters, tapping a pen against his cheek while staring at a binder with a lot of papers. He glances up and smiles at me.

"What's that?" I ask, nodding toward the binder.

The whole place is still bright with light from outside. It's not meant to rain this evening and even though the store front doesn't face the direction of the sunrise or set, it's still clear out.

"It's our calendar for the next couple of months," Austin says. "We're going to be hosting a few after hour events to bring in some more money and I'm just trying to figure out when they can happen."

"What kind of events?" I haven't heard anything about this and I'm not sure if we'll be required to work. If so, I might have to adjust some—

"Don't worry," Austin says, cutting my thoughts short. "It's not an event where you have to work. It'll be small events and we'll have food catered. Drinks will be made here, but we can only fit so many people so I'll be working them. We'll be hosting a Munch in a couple of weeks."

"A Munch?" I've heard the term, but I don't know exactly what it is.

"It's a casual thing for those in the BDSM community to get together, hang out, talk, all that. Nothing nefarious goes on, just a place to hang out."

"Oh, that sounds fun." My first thought is of Brandt and if he could make it.

Then I kick myself because I need to stop thinking of him in a Daddy role.

Those few times over the past couple of months that I've been able to dip into the Little world have been great, but it doesn't mean that everyone is as willing to jump into it like that.

"If you have anyone in mind to invite, I'll have links with invites and sign ups. Space will be limited." I lock eyes with Austin and I know my thoughts are showing on my face. Brandt picked that out quickly last night.

"I don't think so," I say instead. "Everyone I know, you introduced me to."

Austin looks at me for a second before nodding. I do appreciate that he refrains from asking any follow up questions. I heard the story of how he outright asked Orion about the whole lifestyle.

"Any plans this weekend?" I change the subject.

"Not much. Remi is heading to the camp next weekend to get it ready for the group that's using it at the end of the month. Some type of summer camp for preteens or something. So we're going to the club tonight and just hanging around the house this weekend."

"Preteens. Yikes." We both laugh at that. "Did you ever go to summer camps growing up? I went to one and it wasn't the best experience. I woke up with a spider crawling on my face."

"That's terrifying." Austin's hand reaches up to his cheek. The small gesture makes me laugh, but I nod.

"Yeah, never went back. Are you not going with him?"

"No, he's going to be working the whole time and Rachel is doing something so Luke is going to be coming over. Did you want to join us? We could make it a movie night and I'll see if Orion and Quinton could come too."

I can see the level of excitement rise at the prospect of a Daddy- and Mommy-less Littles night with each word he says. I don't know if Remington, or any of the other Daddies or even Rachel, would be okay with that. I don't want to be the one to burst his bubble, though.

"I don't think I have any plans, but if you do anything in the evening, let me know. I'm going to look at that apartment tomorrow and depending if I find anything I like or if I'm approved, I might be looking next weekend too."

"I remember you mentioning that. Good luck." Austin is aware of my situation, how I was living with Amir and then back home. I don’t know if Brandt is going to want to hang out tomorrow. If so, I know what I’ll choose.

"Yeah, it's a bit awkward having to tell my parents if I'll be home that night or having them ask what I am getting up to."

"Oh, yeah." Austin smirks, like he finds a bit of amusement at the thought of that. "That would not be fun. I'll let you know what we decide to do this weekend, though."

"Sounds good." I start walking toward the front door. "Have a good night."