4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Casey

I had rounded the corner just past the guard shack at David and Chase's gated community, excited to see my boy. What I didn't expect to find as I approached their house was the vast array of expensive cars parked outside of it. The cul-de-sac they lived in looked like a car dealership, and not one with used cars.

Rockstars = party animals.

Though I hoped that wasn't what I'd walk into. I was well past the partying age, and that was not my scene.

Time to sift my way through drunken, drug-laden bodies.

Dear powers that be, grant me the courage to get through this.

I shot off that silent message and opted to leave the gift I'd bought for Chase in the car just in case. Embarrassing him in front of the others or having him disregard it would break me.

It hadn't occurred to me the guards would be there until one of the behemoths answered the door.

"Hello, I'm here to see Chase." Was that the appropriate lingo to us? Hard to tell given the man's facial expression didn't change.

"It's okay, Sikes," David told him. "This is my godfather and Chase's boyfriend."

Sikes grunted and stepped aside so I could pass. Why did I feel like there was a penance to pay the piper for crossing over?

You shall not pass , ran through my mind .

"Hey, man," David and I embraced. "It's great to see you but be prepared for the inquisition headed your way."

"Huh?" Yes, Professor, you do know the English language and are quite fluent in it.

One by one the guys lined up, blocking my path to Chase. When I finally saw him he mouthed sorry .

"Diamond," another formidable man approached me as he said what was either his name or a card he held, arms crossed over his massive chest as he glared at me. "Drummer for Social Sinners, and Easton, owner of our management company's, husband."

I extended my hand and waited a few very uncomfortable moments for him to shake it. "Casey, it's nice to meet you."

Next!

"Easton Masterson, this big lug's husband." Easton rolled his eyes and shook my hand. "It's nice to see you again, though the first time we weren't formally introduced." He stepped aside as a familiar face moved forward.

"Rhone, we met a few times when we were growing up. This is my husband, Ely." He wrapped his arm around one of the most stunning men I'd ever seen. I wondered if he'd done any modeling.

"Rhone, it's nice to see you again and it's wonderful to meet you, too, Ely. "

Down the line I went until one last body kept me from my boy. Any minute now I expected them to hold up cards rating my performance from one to ten.

"Seltzer. This is my partner, Jeremiah, also one of our band managers. May I ask what your intentions are with Chase? In case you haven't figured it out we are very protective of him." His emphasis on the word very wasn't missed by me.

"Seltzer. We've met before." I extended my hand, and he stared down on it. I felt the weight of this particular interaction most as all eyes were on us and the room was dead silent. Though I was happy to report no drugs, alcohol, or rogue passed out bodies were spotted.

"Yes, in a different capacity that didn't involve one of my best friends dating you."

Well, shit.

"I can vouch for Casey," David said as he patted my shoulder. "He's a good guy and if you remember, I'm the one who set them up so if you have a beef with anyone it's with me."

"It's fine, David," I assured him. "I'll answer any questions you have as long as they don't impede upon mine and Chase's privacy. What is it exactly you need to hear in order to assure you I have nothing but the best intentions when it comes to Chase? "

Seltzer slid his hand into mine and squeezed it, an archaic method of warning. "Actually, just that. But don't forget, actions speak louder than words and we'll be watching you." He released his death grip and stepped aside.

Chase breathed a sigh of relief as I wrapped him in my arms as he whispered, "Sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, sweet boy. They're your friends and they're just looking out for you." But damn if that wasn't the most intimidating meet and greet I'd ever been through. Some of these men were large and quite frightening.

"Come on." Chase took my hand and led me upstairs. The house erupted in the sound of music and numerous conversations though when I glanced back several eyes glared up at me.

"Your friends really do not care for me," I told Chase as soon as his bedroom door shut.

"Not sure what their issues are. They're treating me like some sort of baby when if they wanted to get technical about it I'm the oldest one here by a couple of months." Chase was clearly frustrated with their actions and being the cause of tension between him and his friends wasn't my intention.

"Sweetheart," I pulled him into my arms again. Once just wasn't enough and now that I'd held him I was addicted. "The way I see it we have two options. One of which would be unbearable for me, but I'll go along with whatever you choose to do. "

"What's that?"

"We either keep going as we are, and they will eventually see I'm worthy of having you, or..." The or was the part that had my stomach in knots.

"Or?"

"We end it now and go back to merely being acquaintances before our hearts are involved." Said he whose heart was perched atop the diving board ready to jump into the deep end.

"Fuck that."

Normally I'd scold a boy for such offensive language, but this relationship defied all my Daddy rules, so I chose to ignore it. As I had many times before. Maybe later down the line if a discussion must be had we could tackle it then. For now, it was minimal compared to what we'd already faced today.

"Fuck which one, sweet boy?"

Our eyes wandered to one another's lips then back up then they met again. I wasn't sure who made the first move but as our lips came together it was nothing short of magical. I took my time tasting this sweet boy who was new to this intimacy. When his tongue grazed my lips, I drew it inside and tangled it with mine.

Chase gasped but didn't pull back as I guided him through this dance for which he quickly caught on. This boy was special on so many levels and so many more I'd yet to unlock and looked forward to each one.

"Wow." The dazed look on Chase's face said it all as we drew apart, though he hadn't tried to pull out of my arms. "That was…"

"Nothing short of amazing." I stole another quick kiss then reluctantly took the high road. This boy was far too tempting, and I had to get a grip on…things. "Why don't you show me your collection."

He took my hand and led me to the shelves.

"This is the Spiderman section." He waved his hand through the air before his beloved hero.

"I take it he's a favorite since you have so many?" Two entire bookcases were dedicated to the webbed avenger.

He bit his bottom lip and shook his head. This was the side of Chase I knew how to handle. The rockstar, well I'd forever be a work in progress with that one. But little Chase I already adored and couldn't wait to draw him from his hiding place.

"Things I always wanted as a kid but never got." Chase had a sad, faraway look in his eyes, but I chose not to pry. Maybe later as we got to know one another better he'd open more of himself to me.

"This is a fun collection, but why aren't you playing with it?"

"David asked me the same thing the other day, so I opened this one." He ran over to his bed and pulled a figurine from under the pillow, and I caught a glimpse of a stuffie that he left behind.

"That is very cool." I bent the arms and legs and checked him out. "But who was his friend?"

Mentally, Chase warred with himself as he stared at the pillow then finally relented and pulled the stuffie free.

"This is Miles."

"Hello, Miles, I'm Casey. It's nice to meet you." I ruffled the bear between the ears. "Where did you get this handsome bear from?"

"Online toy shop."

He'd bought the bear for himself. My heart broke for this lonely boy.

"Sweet boy, I have a surprise for you in the car."

His face lit up and he grinned from ear to ear.

"You have a present for me?"

There was my sweet little just waiting to be freed. "I do, my sweet boy. I didn't bring it in for fear of your friends seeing it when you weren't ready to share this side of you." I was thankful I'd made that decision given the less than warm reception I'd received.

I glanced around his bedroom suite that was easily the size of my small house, but I refused to feel inferior. Chase didn't choose me for my money, obviously, nor did he flaunt his. He was doing well enough on his own. He chose me for me and that was worth more than a puffy bank account .

"But we have a birthday party to attend." How I'd love to stay here, safe within these walls where Chase felt most comfortable. Chatting for hours, learning all I could about him, but there'd be time for that later.

"Oh shoot, I didn't get a gift for Jamie."

"Don't worry, I've got that covered. I signed both our names to the card, I hope that's okay?" His head bobbed up and down. He just wanted to be included, have fun and let go, and I'd spend my every waking moment ensuring he got that.

"Okay, but if they bother you on the way out I'm gonna get really, really mad." Chase clenched his fists and allowed his sassy little to speak. More words than I'd heard from him yet. I could see already his little and I would have the best time together.

"It's all right, sweet boy. I can handle it. You're worth it." I kissed him again and he touched his lips.

"I'm worth it?"

"More than you know."

Everyone was poolside from what I gathered with a brief glimpse as we passed the sliding glass doors. It wasn't until we reached the front door that we encountered any bodies. David and a security guard who stood there waiting.

"Where are you two sneaking off to?" David asked.

"Remember Henry?" I asked him .

"Of course. The sweet little I played with at Cordes. You're going to see him? Chase and Henry will get along well." David was wise beyond his young years which helped him become the wonderful Daddy to Jordan he was.

"Kind of. We're going to his friend Jamie's birthday party and Henry and his Daddies will be there as well."

David patted Chase's shoulder. "Have fun, Buddy, don't worry about these yahoos." He gestured toward the pool. "I'll handle them."

"Thanks, David," Chase whispered.

"You're welcome, Bud. We'll see you crazy kids later. Think Snipe is on Chase duty tonight?" David nodded to the hulking figure by the door.

"Yup. Let's roll. I'll follow in the Escalade." Snipe had spoken and so it shall be.

We hopped into my SUV and buckled up. Even if we wanted to take Chase's car there were so many in the driveway there was no way he'd get it out of the garage without rousing the crowd and neither of us were in the mood for that.

True to his word, Snipe stayed directly behind us during the short drive. While I was glad he was there to protect Chase, it felt like we were on a supervised date.

"You ready for your first littles party? "

"Kinda. I want to get to know Henry and Jamie better, but I still don't know how I'm supposed to act." My poor unsure boy.

"Well, that's easy, just be yourself. Big or little, whatever comes naturally, just go with it. There's no right or wrong answer to this. In time you'll figure it out, but the biggest part is to just be free, let go, and have fun."

"'Kay."

I texted Timothy when we pulled up. He asked that we not ring the bell since Jamie was down for a nap and he wanted to sneak us in. As he opened the door, Chase and I stepped quietly inside.

"Who's in the black SUV?" Timothy whispered as he stared at the vehicle.

"Chase's bodyguard."

"Bodyguard?" Timothy glanced from Chase to the vehicle then back to Chase. "Um, is there something I should know?"

"Chase Prescott, lead singer for the band Embrace the Fear, meet Daddy Timothy, local veterinarian." I did the introduction the best way I knew how—straight to the point.

"Dang, next to his introduction mine sucks." Timothy teased and Chase finally cracked a smile. "Come on in, guys. I'll get Jamie up as soon as we get you settled into his playroom."

"Whoa," Chase said as we entered the animal kingdom-themed room. Timothy and Jamie bonded over their love of animals and were a perfect match.

"Chase!" Henry tried but failed to whisper as he barreled into Chase.

"Hey, Henry," Chase replied as they hugged.

"Hello, Casey, hello, Chase," Jensen greeted us. "Some room, huh?"

"That it is but how fantastic." Beyond impressed, this room gave me ideas to design one at my house for Chase. Someday.

Just then, we heard Timothy's voice in the hall. "Open the door."

We stood back and waited and as soon as Jamie's face emerged we yelled, "Surprise!" Poor kid jumped a foot in the air. Had Timothy not been behind him he'd have hit the wall.

"Happy birthday, Jamie!" Henry ran over and hugged him. "Did we scare you?"

"Little bit." Jamie's shaky reply left me wondering if his heartrate had calmed yet.

"Casey, Mitchell, let's give Jamie some space so he can check out his new playroom," Jensen said. As we passed Jamie on the way to the hall we wished him a happy birthday and left him and his friends to peruse the new room while we watched from the doorway.

"Hi, Chase," Jamie said when he spotted Chase standing by himself off to the side. I wanted everyone to see him and for him to come out of his shell so badly, but he was the key to making that happen and forcing it would be wrong.

"Happy birthday, cool room," Chase replied.

"Thank you. My Daddy did good. Look at all the animals!"

"Daddy, I can't believe you made all this for me." Jamie spun around in the center of the room. The ceiling was covered in clouds and stars with a big one in the middle that had the words "Daddy's Shiny Star" painted around it in a fun font.

"I did. Does Daddy's Shiny Star like it?" Ah, so that was what Timothy called him. Now it made sense.

"Daddy!" Jamie burst into tears. "No one's ever thrown me a party and now I have my own room and my own friends, and everybody is here."

Guess my boy wasn't the only one who'd been forgotten and overlooked.

"That's ‘cause we love you," Henry hugged his backside since his front was glued to Timothy.

"Look at all the animals, Daddy. You even have Sloffers, Kiki, George, and Patty on the walls." Jamie pointed to each as he called out their names. "And Kiki's on a big tree! George is so tall he reaches her without standing on his tippy toes. Think he lifted her up there?"

"Probably," Timothy smiled sweetly at his birthday boy, "that's what friends are for, to lift you up."

The shelves were filled with toys and stuffies and a huge jungle-themed rug laid across the floor. Books lined the bottom shelves, waiting for Timothy to read to his boy at bedtime. One of my favorite things I've missed doing these last few years.

"Your bed has a giant puppy paw on it," Henry said as he pointed it out.

Jamie ran across the room, jumped on the bed and high-fived the paw-shaped headboard. "It's so bouncy!" Chase stood there staring at both boys. "Are you okay, Chase?"

"I-I don't know what to do?" My poor boy was overloaded.

"What do you want to do?" Jamie asked as he hopped off the bed and ran over to the shelves. "We have blocks, cars, dinosaurs. Oh, I got a new tea set. Want to have tea party?"

"Okay," Henry and Chase replied.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Jamie hollered and ran out the room and straight into us. "Need help."

"What's wrong?" Timothy asked him.

"Nothing but I need help moving my tea set and my stuffies. We're gonna have a tea party." Before Timothy could take a single step, Jamie hugged him again. "Thank you for my room and the bestest birthday ever, Daddy."

"You are very welcome, my sweet birthday boy," Timothy said to him before he rejoined us. The Daddies moved to the kitchen to help with whatever we could and left the boys to their tea party .

One day soon I hoped my boy would look at me like I'd hung the moon as he played in his room in our shared home.

Gods, I was a goner already and it'd only been a couple of weeks. How would I survive while he was on the road for weeks at a time?