Chapter Six

Nick

The evening was going so well, then I had to mess it up.

The Little Christmas was sparkling with fun, all sorts of crafts and treats, and Santa, of course, and I had agreed to go as much to be there for the single littles as for myself. But once I was in the door, I was swept up in the excitement. Our usual gathering spot at the couches had been completely deserted, the littles not wanting to miss a minute of the fun.

And, if they were honest, the daddies would have to admit the same. No grumbles about glitter on a night such as this. Their littles would fall asleep in the car on the way home, shedding sparkles every time they moved, visions of sugar plums or at least Santa’s sleigh in their heads. This was one of the times I wished there was someone going to be wrecking my upholstery with glitter and finger paint and cookie crumbs.

I’d been so hopeful about the promotion, being home more and able to have my own little, if I met one who wanted to be mine. Probably just as well that I’d made such a bad impression on the Little Drummer Boy. What did I have to offer him? A daddy once or twice a month and having to get by on his own the rest of the time?

That would be unfair.

I should go home and not risk making him feel any worse than I already had.

Still, I’d stepped into a joyful situation and taken the shine right off it. He had been so happy when I brought him the cookies and cocoa.

“Nick? Where are you going?” Bridger laid a hand on my arm. “Come and sit for a minute.”

“It’s okay, Bridger. Go back to Hudson and the others, and I’ll just head home.”

He guided me to the conversation area and pushed me down on the sofa. “Sit.”

The server stopped by and he ordered us two of their holiday special cocktails. “Grapefruit gin fizz for me and I think…bourbon punch for my sad daddy friend here. Sound good, Nick?”

“Sure, since you’re determined to keep me here.” I slumped in the seat. “After my gaffe.”

“I overheard the Little Drummer Boy asking you not to leave. So he couldn’t have been as offended or upset as you seem to think.”

“Why are you so concerned?” Bridger had never been one to interfere with anyone’s relationships, in my experience.

“Because we’ve been friends for a long time, and for nearly all of it, you’ve been alone.” He held my gaze, not letting me get away with anything. The daddy way.

“That’s true.”

“And every little you play with thinks you’re great. So why are you going home all by yourself every night?”

“Work?” It was no secret that I spent most nights in hotel beds. “And, while I had a hope that would change this year, it’s not going to.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” Bridger accepted the glasses from the server and handed me mine. “You did mention that a while back. How long are you going to let those people take advantage of you? Everyone is entitled to a personal life.”

“We can’t all be self-employed.” Bridger’s crochet pattern business was way more successful than I’d believed such an enterprise could ever be. “But you’re right. I can’t continue on the way I have been. In the new year, I’ll be looking for something else.”

“Good idea. But let’s talk about tonight. That adorable boy asked you to stay, not to accept him as your little or to marry him. You’re not going to ghost him, are you?”

I took a sip of my drink, savoring the smooth bourbon, spices, and a citrus finish. “That’s delicious.”

“Mine, too.” He held up his glass. “So, about the ghosting? You should ask him out instead.”

Of course, put that way, I couldn’t leave. I didn’t even want to. “No, I…” At that moment, it became moot because I found myself looking at the person we were discussing. “Bobby, nice to see you again.”

“I’d better get back to the little room.” Bridger finished his drink and set the glass on the table. “Enjoy the rest of the evening, you two.” He disappeared in the direction of the little room, while Bobby still remained standing at attention in front of me. Or at least his Drummer Boy outfit gave that impression.

“Thank you for waiting,” he said in a quiet voice. “I’m sorry I was so emotional before.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I didn’t mean to bring up something so private when I’d known you five minutes.” I hadn’t exactly, but without meaning to, I’d led the conversation that way. “Can I do anything to make you feel better?”

“No, I’m all right now. Usually I am, but every now and then something or someone will make me miss him all over again. I don’t know if that makes any sense.”

“I think that’s how it works when you’ve cared deeply for someone. It’s an entirely different thing, but my father has been gone for ten years, and sometimes something will just open that pain up again.”

“He must have been a very good man.”

“Thank you. Will you sit? I’m getting a crick in my neck.” I scooted over a little to make more room, in case he didn’t want to sit right up against me.

“All right.” He sat, keeping that space there, a little reserved.

“Did you have fun being the Little Drummer Boy this evening? I heard a lot of buzz. People loved you.”

“Oh, that’s great! I enjoy making people smile.” The server passed by again, and he asked for a soft drink.

“So, how did you end up doing this, anyway?”

As the server returned in a very short time, he was telling me all about how Miss Lily got him to be the Drummer Boy at the party. “I got paid, but even better, I got a pass to come another night. I’m looking forward to that.”

“Maybe I’ll see you here, or, if you have a free evening in the holiday season, we could go out for a nice meal?”

An odd expression crossed his face, and he shifted uncomfortably in his set. “Oh, I don’t know about that…”

Some boys preferred to do little activities on dates with daddies rather than big things. “Or, I have an idea. There’s a tree lighting ceremony coming up. There will be music and all kinds of fun. Could I convince you to join me for that?”

The shadow disappeared from his features, and his eyes lit up. “Oh, I’ve heard about that. I’d love to come.”

We made our plans and sipped our drinks together, chatting about this and that until he had to go again. I was fairly sure I had no trips planned around the lighting ceremony night, but if I did, I’d change them. It was time I had a life, and this adorable Drummer Boy was a great reminder of that fact.