12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Archer

I had session after session today with people wanting to get their family pictures made for the holidays. It seemed like every year, once the fall season hit, people would panic and realize they needed new photos for their family Christmas cards or holiday letters, and it was all I could do to fit everyone in.

I'd always rather be out somewhere taking the pictures I wanted instead of being cooped up in the studio taking portrait shots, but even that couldn't ruin my good mood today.

I'd pretty much given up on finding the right boy for me, choosing to focus on my work instead, and yet there he was right here in the Windsor. Because after our date last night, I was more convinced than ever that Crispin was exactly that… the right boy for me.

The only thing I hadn't considered was how hard it was going to be to resist popping into his studio to say hello or to check on him throughout the day. The fact that I didn't want to ruin the Zen or whatever you called that calm, peaceful feeling he created for his students was the only reason I managed it. Otherwise, I'd have already gone there, probably more than once. He was so focused on his business and taking care of the people who came to his classes that he didn't do anywhere near a good enough job of taking care of himself.

I remembered Crispin saying his late class tonight started at seven, so I was hoping to catch him between classes on my way by to the bar to meet up with the guys before I went upstairs and crashed hard. I finished up my last photo shoot with about twenty minutes to spare, so I took my time cleaning up and organizing my studio so I'd be ready for the next day. Once that was done, and I thought I'd killed enough time, I locked up and headed across the lobby to his studio.

When I walked up, the door was open, and people were on their way out. During the time we were setting up his webpage, he'd mentioned that the weekends were the busiest time for him, so I wasn't surprised to see so many people on their way out.

I poked my head in to see what he was doing, just in time to watch him bend over and pick up a stray foam block that was sitting on the floor. Damn, the boy had a great ass, and those yoga pants did nothing to hide it. But I wasn't here to ogle the man. I was here to check on him.

"Hey, Crispin," I said, walking closer.

He stood up and turned around. "Archer," he said with a big smile before stepping toward me.

I brushed a quick kiss across his lips and took a step back before I created a scene in front of the people who were still around. "How's your day going?"

"It's been great. I had two new students this morning who signed up for more yoga classes, and I had a person who showed up for the sound healing class that had never been before. "They have a couple singing bowls of their own and wanted to see what it was like just sitting in that space with someone else playing. I'm pretty sure they'll be back."

"That's fantastic," I said. "Have you taken a break or had anything to eat?"

"I had a snack. Don't worry, I'm not about to fall out or anything."

He had a snack. What exactly did that mean? A mid-afternoon snack? Or all he'd had all day was a snack? I was afraid to ask, but this was something we'd be talking about later.

"How long is this last class?"

"About an hour."

I checked my watch to see what time that would be. "I'll stop back by when you're done."

"You could stay for yoga, you know. It's great for stress, and it would probably help get rid of that grumpy face you make when you're thinking about being bossy."

Apparently, I hadn't hidden my displeasure with his answer about taking a break very well.

"Sweet boy, you haven't seen me bossy yet. But I don't think I'm up for yoga. Like I said, I'll see you when your class is over."

I headed on over to the bar. Hitch and Bram were there, and so was Cort. I took a seat next to him and motioned for Quincy to bring me a drink. "Hey, guys." I nodded at them and turned to Cort. "I'm glad you're here. I have an idea I want to run past you."

"Sure, what's that?"

"I take a lot of pictures in the area, especially in the park. Most of them I never use, but I don't delete anything. I wondered if you wanted to stop by my studio and go through them. It would be really time-consuming, but you might see something that would help you in your search."

"What do you mean by a lot?" Hitch asked. "I know you always have your camera with you, but I wouldn't think there was that much around here of interest."

"Seriously?" I glanced around the room until I found something that was possibly photo-worthy. "Look at the ceiling over there in that corner." I pointed to a spot where the light from the old stained-glass shade that hung from the ceiling over the pool table shown on the ceiling, causing there to be tiny little colorful circles to dance there as it swayed. "That would make a great photo, but to get just the right shot, I'd need to take a bunch in a row and then go through them and pick out the best one."

"Of little circles of light?" Hitch looked at me doubtfully.

"Sure, and that's what I do everywhere, so who knows what I might have captured."

"I appreciate that, Archer. Just tell me when you want me to come by and get started. I'm finishing up the cheating spouse case I was working on, so once I clear that off my plate, I'm free until something else pops up."

"I'm booked with holiday portraits, so you can come by anytime. I'll set you up in my office, and you can go through them all day." Quincy brought me my whiskey, and I thanked him and took a drink.

"I appreciate that. This is my first real lead since I arrived, so I'd love to jump on it."

"Okay then, come on by. How about the rest of you? What's going on?" I looked between Hitch and Bram.

"Nothing new." Hitch shrugged and finished off the beer he'd been drinking. I worried a little about him. He seemed bored, and he spent way too much time sitting here in this bar. I loved what he'd done with this old hotel, but he needed something more now that it was mostly done.

"Your boy's been coming to the bakery," Bram said, staring at me.

"He's not my boy… yet."

"But you'd like him to be?" Hitch asked.

"No, I wouldn't like him to be. I intend for him to be." I wasn't trying to be dramatic. I was serious. I had every intention of making Crispin mine.

"I assume y'all are talking about the man who was in here with you the other night," Cort said.

"That would be the one," I agreed. "We went out on a date last night, but he has a late class to teach tonight."

"I saw him when he arrived this morning, and that was early." Bram frowned, his brow wrinkling. "That's a seriously long day."

"And when he isn't here teaching, he's out DoorDashing , trying to make extra money. He's delivered my dinner on more than one occasion when I didn't feel like having bar food," Hitch said.

"I know. He works way too hard, and he doesn't take good care of himself."

"Well, how long are you going to let that go on?" Bram asked.

"I know I wouldn't want any boy of mine delivering food, but maybe this job has made me cynical," Cort added.

I shook my head. "No, you're right. I don't like it either, believe me. But until he's officially mine, I don't have any say in the matter. Speaking of Crispin, I need to order him some food before I go."

"Aw, look at you showing him what a good Daddy you'll be," Hitch teased.

"Speaking of boys who need a Daddy. It appears Crispin's going out of his way to befriend Elton," I said.

"Ha. I noticed that, too," Bram chimed in. "Crispin dragged Elton right out of my bakery and to a his studio."

I couldn't help but smile at his sweetness. "They really seemed to hit it off."

Hitch groaned. "You're going to regret that." Then he smiled. "On second thought, that's great. If they're hanging out, maybe you can help with Elton babysitting duty."

Bram and I exchanged a glance. The only person Hitch was fooling that he didn't enjoy chasing around, taking care of Elton, was himself.

Crispin

My last student had no sooner exited when Archer walked in, holding a bag in front of him. "I brought you dinner," he said, striding over and dropping a quick kiss on my lips.

Gah . He was the best. "Thank you." I took the bag. "I'm starving."

Archer's brow furrowed, like it did any time I mentioned my poor eating habits. I didn't do it on purpose, so I really didn't know how to make him feel better. Honestly, I did the best I could. "Do you have time to sit down with me while I eat?"

He pulled me into his arms, and I wrapped mine around him, being careful of the bag holding my dinner. "As much as I'd love to, sweet boy, I'd rather you go home and get comfortable and enjoy your meal. Then you need to get some sleep."

"No," I whined. I wanted to ask if I could come up to his apartment and eat, but I didn't want to be forward. "Are you sure, Daddy? I'd enjoy the company while I'm eating."

Archer kissed my forehead. "As much as I love hearing you call me Daddy, I can't be swayed. You've had a long day, and I don't want you driving home too late."

I fluttered my lashes up at him. "Well, we could—"

Archer's chuckle cut me off as he bopped me on top of the nose with two fingers. "Not yet. If we're going to spend the night together, it's going to be after an evening together and having a nice dinner."

"But I don't have time for that until the night after tomorrow." I resisted the urge to stomp my foot like a child.

"Then we'll really have to make it count." He winked at me.

Conceding defeat, I sighed. "Okay. Will you walk me out?"

"I planned on it. And then you're going to text me as soon as you get home so I know you made it. I'm worried about you."

Oh, this man. His concern for me made my heart soar. I felt like the most special person in the world. I'd known I wanted someone in my life, but I hadn't realized how much I needed a Daddy who would dote on me. Someone truly mindful of me and how much I had on my plate. In reality, he was right, even if I didn't want to admit it. I was shot, and if I had to drive home too much later than this, I'd risk falling asleep behind the wheel.

Archer gave me a passionate kiss goodbye that said anything other than I want you to leave, but then he helped me into the car, even going so far as to pull my seatbelt across my body. "Good night, sweet boy." He gave me another quick kiss. "Don't forget to text me."

"Good night, Daddy." He stayed standing right where I left him. As I pulled away, I saw him waving in my rearview mirror. I gave a quick honk and headed home.

By the time I pulled into the driveway, I was yawning nonstop, and my stomach was growling at me angrily. Archer had been right. I needed to eat. I sent him a quick text so that he'd know I was home and then made my way into the house.

The minute I stepped in the front door, my brother turned off the TV and called for me. I carried in my salad and dropped down next to him on the couch.

"I was worried you weren't coming home in the evening ever again," he said in a joking voice, but I heard the underlying seriousness.

I snorted. "Silly. Why in the world would you think that?"

He huffed. "With Mom and Dad being around so much, it felt like you were avoiding me."

My salad was halfway out of the bag when I stopped and turned, gaping at him. "I may not want to see them, but that doesn't mean I'm avoiding you." I finished pulling my food out and set it on the coffee table. "In fact, I'd love to see Mom, too. It's just after a long day, I don't have the mental capacity to argue with our father."

"I know." He grunted, sounding frustrated. "I wish we could make him see reason."

Shrugging, I said, "Eventually, he will." At least I hoped so. "It'll probably take me getting Harmony and Joy off the ground." I wrinkled my nose. "Actually, it will probably take me not having to crash in your spare room for him to believe that this is successful." God knew when that would happen, but I kept that thought to myself.

"Then where have you been lately?" he asked. "I've hardly seen you."

I fought to hold back my smile as I lifted a bite of food toward my mouth, but this was my brother. He caught my almost-grin and smirked. "Are you holding out on me?"

I pointed at my full mouth, chewing my food dramatically.

By the time I swallowed, we were both laughing. "Come on, little brother." He poked me in the side. "Give me the details. You've met someone, haven't you?"

I nodded eagerly. Screw trying to play it cool. This was Ben. He was the first person I'd told I was gay, and he knew all my secrets. "Are you sure you want to know?"

He pulled a leg up onto the couch and got comfortable. "Tell me everything."

I giggled. Welp, he asked for it. So I talked his ear off until bedtime, telling him about the broody guy I used to lust after from afar, to how he'd taken pictures and helped me with my website. I went on and on about our date and how special Archer made me feel. My brother listened attentively, smiling at all the right places. If it wasn't for the financial stress of buying Aziza's brand, I wasn't sure life could get much better than this. I had a new Daddy, a kickass big brother, a yoga studio with the awesomest clients, and hopefully, a new friend in Elton. I was one blessed guy, and I knew it.