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My advice—make that man your Daddy.

Adrian

F or the next several days, Theo and I text each other during any spare moments we get. I don’t mention the whole fake dating thing again, because I don’t want to put any pressure on him, and oddly enough, I’m okay with it. I like what’s growing between us.

We only see each other once during the week, meeting right before Mr. Higgens’ class. He treats me to an iced mocha before we walk to class together. Every time our arms brushed together, I thought about the kiss we shared and wished we could hold hands.

Over the weekend, while my team and I were on the bus to our next away game, he texted me.

Wishing me luck and giving me all kinds of great advice.

And when we won, he was there texting me his congratulations, before reminding me to celebrate with a nice meal and making sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Some people might think it’s strange that he’s reminding me to eat and drink, or to get plenty of sleep.

But I fucking love it.

Theo is everything I ever could have wanted in a boyfriend, and my crush on him only grows the more I get to know him.

Right as practice ends for the day, I message my brother.

Adrian: You know, you were supposed to give me advice on Theo the other day. And I totally just realized you didn’t!!

Adrian: Help! What did you think? ADVICE NEEDED ASAP.

Stopping by my favorite restaurant, I order their seasoned grilled chicken, a large spinach and arugula salad, and a side of their garlic asparagus.

I snap a few photos and send them to Theo.

My phone vibrates so quickly, I think it must be Felix replying to my earlier texts, but instead, it’s Theo.

Theo: That looks good, sweet boy. Are you eating now?

A small smile fills my lips as I reread the message he sent.

He’s recently started calling me ‘ sweet boy ’ through texts, and I love it.

I’m desperate to hear him call me that in person, though.

The morning we met up for coffee, he confessed that Felix had mentioned seeing him at the local kink club.

A part of me was wildly jealous until he said that he never played with anyone there and probably won’t be back for a while.

I secretly hoped that I was the reason he didn’t need to go, especially with the way he already seems to be Daddy-ing me.

I ended up making a confession of my own: that I was a boy looking for a Daddy. Did he purposely send me all these caring, sweet texts because he wants to be the one to fill that role, or is it just in his nature?

Adrian: I am. I walked down to the open patch of grass in front of the quad and picked a bench to sit at.

I don’t admit I’m avoiding Delfy House since there’s another party everyone is setting up for. Felix is right; I need to find somewhere else to live. But I don’t have many options this deep into the school year, or with my limited funds.

Theo: I wish I could be there with you, but this next exam I have on Monday is a big one. Forgive me?

Adrian: Nothing to forgive. I’ll see you soon.

God, why did I have to meet Theo now? Why couldn’t we have met sooner?

With the Ice Dragons being so close to getting into the playoffs, Coach Wilson has us starting practice half an hour earlier, which means from now on, I’m attending one of Professor Higgens’ other classes, rather than the early morning one with Theo.

Theo: I’ll be studying all night. Text me in the morning and tell me how your night went.

Adrian: I will. Have a good night, Theo.

He doesn’t need to know I accidentally typed in Daddy and erased it before hitting send.

When another text message comes through, this time it’s from my brother.

Felix: My advice—make that man your Daddy.

I smile to myself, half tempted to reply to Felix that it’s too late.