Page 31

Andry

People flood the entrance the minute the gates open. I tighten my hold on Rodney’s hand as I guide us through the mass.

“It’s this way,” Bellamy calls out from the front of the group.

We’re all at the stadium today to support a new Bellport venture. This time around, instead of buying a hockey team or a football team, the family has invested in baseball.

Royce, another Bellport sibling I met recently, has taken on the role of owner of the team. They are in the early stages of the process; however, everyone swears it’s going to be amazing.

I’m not as sure.

Especially not after I heard Royce muttering to themself about how they fucking hated the previous owner and wanted nothing to do with them. I didn’t bring it up to anyone else since it was an accident that I walked in on them.

The Bellport family home is confusing, ok. It’s easy to get turned around in that place.

Besides, Royce is fiercely independent.

They’ve built their own success outside of their family’s name and influence. I’m sure some people find them because of it, however most don’t. It’s actually kind of cool how talented they are.

Hopefully that talent can be used for this team.

We manage to make it to the private family box Royce told us to take for today’s game. It’s up high enough to see everything on the field, yet secluded in a way that means none of us need to worry about people overhearing us. The boys can chat freely or drop into little space while us Daddies observe the game and how the stadium runs.

Royce asked us all to come as part of their evaluation of things. I think they hated asking for help; however, they know we might see things they can’t.

As professional athletes, our attention to detail is unmatched.

Well, most of us are professional. I’m still waiting for the day I get to be part of the draft.

Jake has already promised me a spot on the Bears if I want it. I’d be a fool to not accept. It’s my dream team, and it gives me the opportunity to be close to my boy.

“This is amazing,” Rodney says from my side at the glass.

We watch as more fans settle into their seats. According to the data, this won’t be a sold-out crowd. It’s another thing Royce wanted us to watch out for.

“Is there anything making the people not want to come?” They’d mentioned. “Can you spot anything that we can fix?”

As my eyes take it all in, I spot a few things that could be improved, though overall it looks good. My boy bounces beside me, his excitement palpable. It’s only when they set up a play area on one side of the room that I convince him to go hang with the others.

I think it’s hard for him since he believes he’s not truly little. His desire to call me Daddy isn’t rooted in regression the way his friends’ roles are.

Because of it, I have had to reassure him a few times that I’m not looking for diapers and bottles as part of our time together. I only want him. If he ever changes his mind down the road, I’ll be there with baby powder in hand and a smile.

Aries and Bellamy come to stand beside me after the boys get lost in their playtime. We discuss the baseball game a bit. Bishop pops in at one point, though he can’t stop staring at his boy Atlas long enough to keep up with the conversation.

Leon and Maddox are here too, along with Coach Swift — or Luke as he reminds me to call him. There are a couple of other guys I recognize in the space as well, though I’m not close enough with them to start up a conversation.

Besides, they’re not part of the Daddy Alliance either. If they were, I’d make the effort.

“Daddy,” my boy tugs on my shirt.

“Yes, little genius?”

“I need to go potty, but Atlas is in this potty.” He wiggles as if he’s seconds away from losing control of his bladder. I chuckle at how cute he is while I also spin him toward the door.

“There’s a bathroom right around the corner.”

Aries nods when we pass, his eyes asking where we’re headed. I mouth the word ‘bathroom’ to him to prevent him from following us. The man worries about his brother less now that Liam is taken care of; however, he can’t drop his big brother mode all the time. Not even when I remind him that as Daddy, I’ve got it under control.

My boy makes it to the restroom just in time. I step outside to give him some privacy.

When I’m out in the hall, the noise of the stadium picks up. It’s like a muted sound given we’re in the private areas.

A grunt echoes through the hall as I’m waiting on my boy. Curiosity has me going to check out what it is.

“Royce,” a guttural voice whimpers. “Please.”

I freeze.

Who is that? And what are they doing with Royce? Is it the same Royce who invited us? How many Royces can there be in this damn town?

“You wanted my attention. Now you have it.” Their voice answers the question for me.

The sound of the door opening behind me breaks through my frozen state. I grab my boy’s hand the second he comes out, then I rush us back to the room.

“What’s wrong, Daddy? Why are we running?”

We’re not running. My boy just doesn’t exercise.

Gosh, he’s fucking adorable.

“There was something going on down the hall. I didn’t want you to have to deal with it.”

I also didn’t want him to accidentally spill the beans to the others. If Royce has secrets, then they can keep them. I have no desire to take on another person’s burdens.

“Thank you, Daddy. You’re the best.” He bites his lip, concentrating in that way he always does when he wants to say just the right thing.

“What’s on your mind, little genius?”

He reaches up, his hand laying on my jaw as he tells me, “I love you.”

“I love you too, little genius.”

We don’t exchange the words often since our actions show how much we care for each other every day. I can admit I love hearing them though.

A few minutes later, I have to bite my tongue when Royce comes through the door of the suite right as the game starts. They thank everyone for coming before introducing the man beside them as the previous owner of the team and the person helping them with the transition.

I recognize the other guy’s voice right away.

Seems like they might be mixing business with pleasure. Can’t say I blame them. I did manage to win over my tutor’s heart.

Sometimes we can’t help ourselves when it comes to getting what we want.

Want to see Andry’s moving day?

Hint: Kendall and the guys keep it interesting.