Page 77 of Wrestling with Daddy

He’d seen a few hanging out in the puppy piles or by the wrestling mats scattered around after hours, and he’d had way too many questions. He’d also been too anxious waiting for Ken’s arrival each time to do anything about it.

It was Thursday already, though, and the clock was ticking. Trying to corner anyone once the proper event began was going to be more headache-inducing for all parties involved.

That was when he caught sight of the stocky guy with the dirty blond hair walking into one of the lounge halls, iPad in hand.

“Hey, excuse me!” Nathan waved, then ran the short distance between them. “You work here, right?”

“Shane. I’m the event manager, yeah.” The guy frowned, looking kind of annoyed, honestly. Nathan didn’t think those were good manners for someone working in hospitality, but he let it go. “May I… help you with something?”

“Yeah, I mean, do you have a minute? I’m just… nervous about the weekend.”

“Any reason why?”

“I’m…” Nathan grimaced. “I’m just a nervous person, I guess.”

“There are handlers you can talk to,” Shane deadpanned. “Or other boys.”

“Well, yes, I guess.” Nathan cursed, clenched his fists since he couldn’t quite stomp on the ground like he wanted to. Getting interviews while incognito was tough. “But can I still ask you some things? I mean, have you been working here long? What is it like? What makes you all set this up every year?”

Shane raised an eyebrow, the look careful. “I’m rather busy, you know.”

“I figured.” Nathan fidgeted on the spot. “But just… five minutes? Ten, maybe, if we’re realistic.”

Something crossed Shane’s face, a mix of annoyance and resignation Nathan didn’t quite know how to read.

“What’s your name?”

Yes!

Bumping his fists in the air—metaphorically, of course—Nathan stood taller. “Nathan. I arrived on Monday.”

“Are you a reporter, Nathan?”

“What?” He spluttered. There was no way he could be that transparent… right? “No, no, I’m just… This is my first time here. Still figuring this out.”

It wasn’t all a lie, either.

“Okay.” Shane pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah, I’ve been managing this event for the last few years. The resort owner is a handler, very invested in the community, hence why he sets all of this up every year. Really, he’d be a much better person to give you all your answers.”

Shit. Nathan frowned. He was losing the guy, and he didn’t want to go to Ken’s friend because, to be honest, he’d sounded intimidating since Nathan had first read about him in the website and saw that profile photo with the cold blue eyes and platinum hair.

Nathan was jealous of whoever snatched him up because the Dom-y vibes were all over the place, but there was no way he could’ve kept his cool with that man.

“Are all the workers here involved in the community?” he blurted out.

Shane’s brow pinched. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, are they all… pets, or handlers?” Nathan noticed more people walking inside the building. “Areyoua puppy too?”

Nathan noticed one of those people more than the others. The man with a literal cowboy hat on was lingering, his gaze very clearly intent on the event manager.

Shane seemed to notice him at the same time, posture stiffening. His eyes darted around wildly, one of his fingers starting to drum against the clipboard he was holding.

“That’s…” His throat dry, Nathan worried for a second that Shane was going to pass out. “That’s an extremely personal question and completely inappropriate.”

“But…” Nathan frowned. “Dude, are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Of course I’m okay.”