Chapter 6

As I show Harris around the property, a pit opens in my stomach and gets bigger and bigger. I made a huge mistake buying it. I don't have the money to do it up or the know-how to run a successful business.

"You look like you misplaced a winning lottery ticket." Harris puts his hands on my waist and stares at me through concern-filled eyes.

We're standing at the start of the assault course, currently the only fully usable thing on the property. I've put a lot of love, care, and attention into revitalising the course. Some of the obstacles were repairable, but the rest had to be replaced. Signs provide brief explanations of what to do in words and pictures and also a ‘duck-out' route if someone really can't do an obstacle. Not everyone likes heights, for example. I'm proud of what I've done. It's a shame I'm the only person who'll ever use the course.

"I told you. This place is a money pit. I shouldn't have bought it."

"It could be amazing, Daddy."

"You really think so?"

"Yes, especially if you think bigger than the assault course."

I frown. "Think bigger?"

"You've got so much land you could make this into an outdoor activity centre. You could build an abseiling and climbing wall for a start. Oh! You could add a high zip line off that. Kids would love it. What about archery? You've got space to build a barn to have it indoors or space outdoors. You could do both. Axe throwing would be fun."

I scratch my beard. "That all sounds like it would cost a lot."

Harris turns toward the woods. "Think free."

"Think free?"

He laughs. "Is there an echo here?"

I snort and shake my head.

"Orienteering. You'd need maps and compasses and mark the control points, but that wouldn't cost much. Nature walks. I bet there are tons of interesting flora and fauna in these woods. What about night lining?" He's animated as he gestures this way and that. He's beautiful.

"You're full of ideas, aren't you, boy?"

He turns and grins. "Do you like my ideas?"

I pull him against me and graze my lips over his. "Yes."

"And I have an idea for your accommodation problem, Daddy. Two, actually."

"You do?"

"Yes. I'm no building expert, but I'd agree with your assessment that the hostel needs tearing down."

I slump my shoulders.

"Which leads me to my ideas." His eyes shine brightly.

"Go on."

"You could create a campsite. Make putting tents up a team-building exercise. It would cost a lot less to have bathroom facilities built than to restore or rebuild the bunkhouse."

I purse my lips. He's right.

"And when you have more money, you could install some glamping huts for people who want a slightly more luxurious place to sleep."

I gape at Harris.

His cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink. "What?"

"You're amazing."

He waves his hand. "Hardly. I'm channelling memories of camping with the Scouts and a school trip to an outdoor centre."

"I'm grateful for all the ideas. Thank you." I wrap one arm around his back and use my other hand to squeeze his arse as I kiss him hard.

"Hmm, I'll have to come up with more ideas if I'm going to get rewarded like that every time."

"You've come up with lots of ideas already." I kiss him again, more hungrily than before.

He places his palms on my chest and presses against me. "When you first saw this place, what did you imagine, Daddy?"

I look around, my memories of that day coming back. "I hoped I could turn it into a thriving business. I imagined people of all ages running the obstacle course. Perhaps helping each other get to the end. I imagined camaraderie and laughter. More than anything, I wanted it to be a safe space."

Harris tips his head. "Safe?"

I run my hand through my hair. "I'm not sure what I meant by that."

"I think you do."

I laugh. "Then maybe I can't explain it."

"Try, Daddy."

"Somewhere free from bullying. Where people could see their fellow work or classmates in a new light. Where they could gain a new-found respect for each other." I sigh and shake my head. "That sounds trite."

"No, Daddy, it doesn't. Can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"What was it like being gay—bi?—in the army?"

"Gay. I came out in secondary school. Big mistake." I focus on the tree line, blinking repeatedly.

Harris hugs me, clutching my shirt at the small of my back as he rests his head on my shoulder. "You were bullied?"

"Yes. Constantly. It wore me down."

"I can imagine."

"Joining the army was a fresh start. Sure, they'd recently allowed queer people to openly serve, but that didn't mean attitudes had changed overnight. I decided I'd keep my sexuality to myself, and I did for several years. You probably think I'm a coward."

He holds me tighter. "No."

I kiss his hair. "It took time, but things did change. All that mattered was knowing someone had your back in combat. That you could rely on the men and women in your unit. Eventually, I felt safe enough to come out."

"It can't have been easy hiding such a huge part of yourself."

"It was draining, but at the time, I figured it was better than putting up with systematic bullying. Obviously, there are still some tossers who give queer soldiers grief, but they're in the minority, and the higher-ups put a stop to it the moment they find out. I was a lot happier after I came out."

"I'm glad, Daddy."

"In the last few years of my career, I did talks in schools and at career fairs about being an openly gay soldier. When my superior officer approached me about it, I was unsure."

"Why?"

"Because I'd spent so long in the closet. But he said that was why I'd make a good ambassador. Looking like a poster boy for the army probably helped."

Harris chuckles. "You would make a very sexy poster boy. Oh!"

"What?"

"Do you still have your uniform?"

"Yes. Why?"

"You need to be the poster boy for this place."

"I'm not sure?—"

He puts his finger over my lips. "I am, Daddy. Trust me." He winks, disentangles himself from my arms, and steps back. He forms his fingers into a picture frame and pulls a sweet face: one eye squinting slightly, his lips scrunched to one side.

"What are you thinking, boy?"

"Fold your arms. Show me your bulging biceps, Daddy."

I laugh but do as he's asked.

"Perfect. Or it will be when you're in your uniform. We might need to dirty you up a bit." He drops his arms and turns around slowly.

"Now, what are you thinking?"

"How would you feel about adding paint to the obstacles?"

"Paint?"

"In Pride flag colours."

I rub my neck. "That's a good idea."

He spins back to me. "And how would you feel about a grand opening in June?"

"June?"

"Is there a local Pride Parade or festival?"

"The closest ones are in Scarborough and York."

"Over an hour away, then."

He nods.

"You should have one here on your opening weekend. You could make it an annual thing."

I frown. "I'm not sure?—"

He clasps my hands. "Think about, Daddy? Show the world this is a safe space for everyone."

I pull him close and kiss him slowly. "I'll think about it."

He cups my face in his hands and strokes my beard. "You can make this into an amazing, successful activity centre, Daddy. I know you can."

Is he right? For the first time in months, hope flutters within me, fragile as a moth. All the ideas he's given me tumble through my mind. I close my eyes and imagine what this place will be like when it's up and running. Damn, the thought fires me up.

"Can I run the obstacle course?" he asks.

"Why?"

"It'll help me develop words and phrases to publicise it."

I skim my hand over his arse. "Jeans aren't the best thing to do an obstacle course in, boy."

"Don't worry. I have running clothes with me."

"You run?"

He swats his hand over my chest. "Don't look so surprised, Daddy. I used to run every morning before work, but I haven't had time recently."

I stiffen. "Let me guess. Since you started working for your brother."

"Yes. I packed my running clothes with the intention of going jogging while I'm in Scarborough. I'll go and get changed, and then you can drill me, Sergeant." He sniggers.

I hook my fingers in his belt loops and tug him hard against me. "You want to be drilled, do you?"

"Yes. Drill me hard, Daddy."

I devour his lips. "We might need to go to my bedroom for that."

He snorts. "I meant on the assault course."

"Really?"

"Yes! But after you've drilled me on there, you can carry me to your room and drill me again."

"Carry you, boy?"

"I'll be tired, Daddy."

"But not too tired to receive a good, hard drilling?"

"Oh no, I'd never be too tired for that."

We kiss for several long minutes, stroking each other. My skin tingles, and our heartbeats get faster by the second. Blood rushes to my groin. His arousal is nudging me. Damn, I want him.

He clears his throat and, pink-cheeked, pulls away. "Assault course first, Daddy. Let me get changed. I won't be long."

I let him go, even though I want to follow him. It wouldn't be hard to persuade him to stay in my bedroom, but he's so eager to do the assault course. Who am I to deny him? I bet he'll look sexy doing all the obstacles, especially once he's worked up a sweat. It's weird to think he should have been gone by now. I hadn't realized none of the local garages would open on a Sunday, but I'm grateful they don't.