Page 15

"Are you all set for the meeting?" Austin asks Thursday. We don't have enough staff for both of us to go on break together, but I've started pulling one of the chairs up at the counter. I take my break after the lunch rush comes through, so the place isn't too busy and Austin and I talk between customers.

"Considering he cancelled the first one with ten minute notice, I'm not holding my breath." I roll my eyes, letting him know I'm just playing. I did go through the checklist today to make sure that everything was done. All the chocolates and syrups are up to date, the nozzles are clean and sanitized. I've even reorganized the fridge under the counter to make it easier to get the things we use the most. The only thing left to do is sweep off the carpet rug at the register and mop the floor.

"He texted and said he'll be here. He's bringing his nephew, too."

"I'm sensing some tension there?" I tilt my head and try to study his face. His nose scrunches up and there is definitely a grimace to his lips. I try to hide my smile at his obvious distaste.

"I know Remi says it's not nice to hate other people, but his nephew is rude. His dad apparently owns some bigger chain so he comes from money and looks down at those that work for someone else."

"Gross," I say before I can think better of it. "I mean, our Daddies own their own companies and don't look down on us."

Austin smiles and I don't get why for a few seconds. Then it hits me what I said and my cheeks blush. I didn't even check to make sure no one was around. Thankfully, there isn't.

"So, you two are getting close?"

"You could say that." I hide my smile behind a bite of the food. It's something that Garrett made for me last night, to bring in today. I ran out of food at my place, but I'm too embarrassed to let him know that. He's supposed to be picking me up after work today. It's Friday, and tomorrow we have Austin and Remi's party. "He's great. I really like him."

"Are you two still coming tomorrow?"

"We are," I say. Nerves fill my tummy at the thought of being Little in front of other people. "I don't know if we're going to stay the whole time, though."

I know Austin knows what I mean without saying it out loud. They're planning a playdate after the party. I won't know anyone else in their group.

"Everyone is super nice," Austin assures me. "But I totally get it if you're not comfortable. Just know that we won't judge you or anything. I once had a full meltdown in front of all of them and we're still friends."

"You did?" I don't know why that makes me feel a bit better. Maybe they wouldn't judge me if I cling to Daddy or don't talk much then.

"Yep." Austin turns around to make sure there's no customers. I can't see the two on the other side, but I don't think there are even any customers in the whole place right now. "We were at the camp and Remi had to work. I was in Little space and got scared. Knocked over blocks and cried in Garrett's lap, actually."

"It's a great place to cry," I say jokingly. I don't elaborate when Austin raises his eyebrows. "Anyway, I'll talk to Gare about tomorrow and let you know."

Austin goes to say something, but a customer walks in, the bell above the door chiming. I finish out my lunch and clock back in ten minutes later. The only good thing about a meeting after work is that I'll hit a few minutes of overtime. I'm keeping up with my bills. Being at Garrett's on the weekends and one or two nights during the week is helping keep the electricity bill down and the amount of food I need to buy for the apartment.

We work together to close the shop down before the owner walks in with his nephew. The owner is in his sixties, but he looks older. His nephew, though, looks like he's in his thirties maybe. He has hair that falls into his eyes and is wearing jeans and a tee shirt. It's very casual and is definitely not enough for the cold weather. I can hear Garrett's voice in my head telling me that I need at least two layers in this weather.

"Is everyone ready for the meeting?" Kenny, the owner, asks. We all find a seat at the tables while Kenny and his nephew remain standing. Austin has a notebook open and a pen ready to take notes. I'm not sure what kind of notes need to be taken, but he's the manager and has probably done one or two of these before. "I wanted to start out the meeting by saying that we're going to be making some big changes around here this year. The first being that I'll be retiring in May and I'm handing the business off to my nephew, Cade."

I look around to see how everyone else is reacting. Austin is writing something down, but I can see that worry line between his eyes. Tyler's jaw ticks but there's nothing else in his expression. The new girl, Daniella, who was hired after me when Amir left for college, also looks around. We lock eyes for a brief moment before Cade starts talking.

"I'm going to start taking over some of the duties while we're in the process of transferring paperwork. The first thing I want to implement is a uniform."

I try to hide my tears as I wait for Garrett. I texted him that our meeting was running later than planned, because there was a lot that Cade wants to change "starting now". He started with the uniform thing, requiring collared shirts that I don't have, nor can I afford. Then he moved to business hours. I got cut five hours a week. I'm barely keeping up with everything now, so I don't know how I'm going to work with even less money. I won't be able to give my sisters and brother the money I planned.

When Garrett pulls up to the curb in front of the doors, I take a deep breath and wipe at my eyes once more before opening the door. I don't meet Garrett's eyes as I buckle up. I know he can sense that something is up, but the street is dark enough I know my face is in the shadows.

"Honey?" Garrett's hand rests on my knee. It's warm and safe, my brain says. He'll understand. He doesn't see me as a charity. As much as I want to believe what the back of my mind is telling me, the big part of it is saying that he's going to see me as too much trouble. That after everything he's done and bought for me already, asking him to do more is too much. I'm scared he'll start seeing me as less, as someone that's too much trouble, isn't good with their money. He owns his own accounting firm, for fuck's sake.

"Orion."

Garrett's voice is raised and serious. I look at him on instinct, shrinking back into the seat. My tears are falling freely. I'm tired of crying in front of him. He gets out of the car and opens the backseat door. He motions for me to come back with him. I do as he asks and he immediately folds me into his arms, cradling me like he did that first time only a couple weeks ago. It's hard to believe that we've only been together for less than a month.

"Honey, what's wrong?" His hand brushes through my hair and his lips touch the side of my face over and over. I know he's trying to calm me down but I'm too worked up. Worried about the future. I love this job, but I don't know if I'll be able to keep it or I might have to get a second one.

"They cut my hours and I have to wear a uniform now, which I can't afford. I don't know how I'm going to make this work. I'm scared, Daddy."

"It's okay, baby. It's all going to be okay."

I want to believe him, but I don't know how it's going to work. I'm barely making ends meet now. With less hours and having to spend money I don't have, there isn't much to look forward to.

"How can I help you, Orion?" Daddy squeezes me closer to him before moving me so I'm straddling his lap. I wrap my arms around him and bury my face into his neck. He lets me sit like that for a minute, calming down. My eyes sting from the tears but my breathing evens out and I can somewhat form my words again. I say my biggest fears, figuring if my Daddy knows everything, he can let me down now and I can go back to figuring out how to live life alone.

"I have to figure out how to afford my life," I say quietly. I sit up and Garrett brushes his hands over my face. "I don't have a lot to begin with, but now they're making uniforms a policy and I can't come back to work until I have the shirts, but we don't get paid until next week and my check is already gone this pay period. And I'm worried about my siblings because I've been seeing them in the same clothes and I don't know if they're eating." I take a deep breath and look at my Daddy. My bestest Daddy. "I'm worried that I'm too much for you now and I don't want to lose someone else I love."

The moment hangs heavy in the car. This close together, I can see the details of Garrett's face. His eyes catch the small amount of light coming in from the coffee shop front. Cade was still in there a few minutes ago. He said he wanted to take his own inventory and see what we can improve.

My breath catches deep in my chest when I realize what I said. I just told him I loved him. It's the truth, but I'm scared of that. I've never loved anyone outside of my family before. Garrett's breathing is even, so he either isn't freaked out about that confession or he's hiding it really well.

"I love you too, Orion." The words hit me hard and a fresh round of tears threaten to fall. Garrett is holding my face in his hands, though. He kisses me. It's sloppy and I'm ruining it with my blubbering, but he doesn't seem to mind. "I love you so much, honey."

"Really?" I can't believe I'm hearing this. My lips are fighting to smile, but I'm still worried.

"Yes, really. Really, really, my silly Boy." He says the words with warmth and happiness. His arms wrap around my waist and we stay like that, hugging. "I promise that you are never going to be too much for me. No matter what you need or how you feel, I'll be right here for you. I'll take care of you. Always. And we'll start with getting you the clothes you need for work because I know you love working here. It's going to be okay."

I believe him. I have to. I love my Daddy so much. The fact that he didn't push me out of the car and leave me standing on the curb to handle it on my own gives me the hope that he means what he says.

"Thank you. For everything, Daddy."

"How about we go home and you can have some Little time before bed and we'll deal with everything tomorrow before the party?"

I swallow the lump in my throat and ask one more thing before we get back in the front seats. "Can I wear one of the diapers tonight?"

We bought them last weekend, but I haven't worn one yet. I want to, though. I've been thinking about them every day. Daddy smiles and nods at me.

"Of course you can," he says. "We'll play and then take a bath, but Daddy will dress you after okay?"

"Okay." It's my turn to nod and we finally break apart to get in the seats.

Garrett holds my hand the entire drive back to his place. I'm not completely over my worries, but I'm calm when we walk inside. Riley greets me with a slobbery kiss and it makes me laugh. He's so much fun. I walk across the living room and open the sliding glass door to let him out. It's my routine now whenever I come over. Garrett comes up behind me, like usual, and wraps his arms around me.

"Are you okay now?" His voice is low and the deep tone sends a shiver down my spine.

"I will be," I say honestly. "They're just changing a lot at once and I'll have to sit down and look at everything."

"Will you let me sit down with you and look?" I turn around in his arms and look at his eyes. He's serious. I'm scared he's going to see everything and decide that it's worse than he thought. "Honey, please, don't worry. This is my job. I've seen and helped people in all situations. I promise that I'm only offering to help, I'm not going to judge you."

I hesitate another moment before slumping my shoulders and letting out a long sigh. "Okay. I can get everything together next week and bring it to you."

"Thank you." He lifts his hand and does his signature move to brush back my hair. It's a simple move, but I love it. "And you'll let me buy you those shirts you need for work?"

I nod again, lost for words at how much he's helping me. "Thank you."

He hugs me to his chest. My arms are trapped between us, but I move them to rest on his hips. I snake one hand under his sweater, feeling skin-on-skin and relaxing a bit more. I run my hand over his muscled stomach, toned abs, and down to the waistband of his jeans. I tilt my head back to look at him as my fingers undo the single button.

His lips part, but he doesn't stop me. He stands still, eyes locked on mine, while I reach my hand into his briefs and wrap around his cock. His cock is hard already, but it's soft against my palm, and warm. I remember the way it felt when he fucked me. When I had him in my mouth.

Neither of us say anything as I pump my hand a few times. His hips start jerking, matching my strokes. He lets out the smallest whimper when I tighten my grip a bit and his foreskin retracts. I look down between us, watching the way his head pops in and out with each movement. The patio light is just bright enough.

"Goddammit," Daddy whispers. He surges forward and takes my mouth with his. I back up until I'm against the glass door and can't move. My own pants are undone and pushed to mid-thigh. The air around us ten seconds ago was chilly, but now all I feel is the warmth shared between our bodies.

"Daddy." The word comes out as a plea more than anything. It's breathy and telling of how close I am already.

"Hold still, Orion." I look down as Daddy takes a half step away from me. I think he's going to sink to his knees, but instead he presses the heads of our cocks together. I suck in a hiss, but watch in amazement as Daddy strokes his cock and mine at the same time. I don't know how this is going to work, but after a couple seconds, his foreskin encases the head of my cock and he holds it there. It's a whole new sensation and my legs are shaking. I can't tear my eyes from it.

He lets go and readjusts his grip. I still can't tear my eyes away. He uses both hands to stretch his foreskin around my cock, stepping closer to me as he starts pumping, pressing his hips toward mine over and over. The feeling, the sight, of it has my balls drawing up. I let out a whimper instead of words as I come like this. Daddy curses under his breath and steps back, his hand moving quickly. Watching him jerk himself off, while my cum covers his cock, has my cock twitching again, letting out another dribble.

"Daddy, you're so hot." I drop to my knees, desperate to have Daddy come on my face. To make me messy. To make me his. He does just that, giving me praises under his breath when I close my eyes and let him paint my face.

After a minute, he pulls me back to my feet and uses some type of fabric to wipe my eyes. When I open them again, I see he's pulled off his sweater and is using his long sleeve shirt to wipe my face. "You're mine, Orion. Always, no matter what. You're my Boy and as your Daddy, I'm always going to take care of you. In every way that you need it. I'll remind you of that as many times as you need."

He finishes cleaning my face. I feel Riley's body rub against us, grateful that he waited until our impromptu moment was over. Daddy pulls my pants up but doesn't button them. I wrap my arms around him in a tight embrace, hoping that it's telling him everything I can't find the words for suddenly.

"Let's get you changed and you can play for a little bit while I make dinner, okay? How do rice bowls sound?"

"Yummy, yummy." I say with a smile.