8. Adam
Chapter 8
Adam
I didn’t even need to look at my watch to know what time it was. Little boys who ate sugar and carbs for breakfast always crashed around three or four in the afternoon. If not for a nap, their attitudes crashed and they got cranky.
The fact that Riley chose to rest made me smile. He was a good boy. Too good to be all alone in a city like Vegas.
During breakfast, we made a point of avoiding any conversation about where we were from. At least, I did. The fact that Riley never brought up his hometown made me think he was being intentional about it too. Acknowledging how far apart our worlds would be in just a few more days would’ve broken the spell we were under.
But since we’d gone through the trouble of shielding our hometowns, there was no sense in avoiding each other. We could do a few days of fun together before reality smacked us in the face. I certainly wouldn’t be able to rest until I saw Riley again and knew with certainty that he was gonna be okay.
I finished my meetings, and when Chad invited me to dinner with him and his boy, I begged off with a rain check and went straight up to my room. It was close to 5 o’clock, so I sent a text to Riley.
Keeping up with our visual conversation from earlier, I found a meme of a purple hippo and asked if he was hungry, hungry.
He reacted with a laughing emoji and sent back a kitty cat holding up a fork in one hand and a knife in the other.
It only took me a few minutes to search the local restaurants and scan the reviews to see which would be somewhat quiet if we went early. There was a steakhouse in the casino I usually ate at a few times when I was in town, but I wasn’t sure if that would be too overwhelming for him. If he needed some time to be Little, dinner was as good a place as any to start.
I considered what kind of gif I could send and quickly shut down the idea. Some conversations needed actual words, and this was one of them. I’d love to have dinner with you tonight, Riley. Are you up for it?
Yes, please. His response was instant, as if maybe he’d been expecting it. I’m hungry like a hippo after my nap.
Do you have a place in mind? Before I hit send, I decided to make it easy for him and provide some options as well. There’s a steakhouse I like if you’re up for a nice restaurant, but I would also be fine ordering chicken nuggets or pizza to one of our rooms for a more casual night. You could even wear your footie jammies, if you’d like.
The typing bubbles popped up instantly, but after a few seconds, they disappeared.
I furrowed my brow, hoping I wasn’t being too forward or presumptuous with him. Instead of panicking and forcing a quick response, I put my phone down and opened up the drawers I had unpacked into to remind myself of what I brought. I didn’t usually go out with anyone when I was on a work trip, so my wardrobe was somewhat limited.
Eventually, I decided on a light blue dry-wear shirt that would absorb any leakage if I ended up staying overnight and a pair of jeans. Just as I was about to change, my phone buzzed with a response. That had taken a lot longer than I expected, but I was happy that Riley had spent a few minutes thinking things through.
Mac & cheese in my room sounds good. Do I have time to take a bath first?
Of course you do. Send me your room information and I’ll be there in 30 mins. Does that work?
Yes, Daddy. Immediately after I received that text another came in. I mean, Adam. A third message immediately followed. What should I call you?
Whatever you feel comfortable with is fine, but I love when you call me Daddy.
He sent back a drawing of a cartoon kitty with blushing cheeks and its front paws behind its back as if embarrassed. OK. See you in 30, Daddy.
Looking forward to it. I waited a few seconds to see if he would send his hotel information, and when he didn’t, I sent one last text. Send your room information to me then put your phone on the charger before you get in the bath. I don’t want you to be tempted to bring it into the tub with you.
He reacted with a smiley and then immediately typed back to me. How do you already know me so well?
The text I had been anxiously waiting for immediately followed. Emerald tower room 734 .
I hearted that message then put my phone on the charger before jumping in the shower. I didn’t expect anything to get physical with Riley, but a Daddy was much like a Boy Scout in that he should always be prepared.