6. Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Casey

"Knock, knock."

I glanced up at the sound of Richard's voice at my office door.

"Hello, my friend. Fancy meeting you here." Richard worked in the maintenance department at UNLV. He was all over campus but on occasion we managed to meet for lunch at the dining hall on campus to catch up on life and what not.

"Thought I'd see if you had time for lunch." He took a seat in one of the two empty chairs in front of my desk that normally had students in them, begging for help with a failed assignment.

A quick glance at my watch showed I had an hour before my next class. "That I do, sir."

Though Richard showing up wasn't rare, it didn't usually happen two weeks in a row. I bit my tongue and waited for the question I knew was coming, the real reason for his visit. Halfway to the quad, he finally asked it.

"So, you and Chase, huh?"

And there it was, the purpose for today's visit.

"Yes."

"I hear my boy had a hand in it. Keen eye, that one." Richard's knowing grin said it all. He may not be totally onboard, but he trusted me to do right by Chase.

"I'd have to agree. Can't say I would've seen it had it not hit me in the face, courtesy of David." My godson definitely elevated himself to a new level with me. No longer did I see the boy, but the great man he had become .

"Just a word of advice," Richard offered. "Not sure if you remember but after Chase's mom died he really changed. He was always quiet and shy but had come out of his shell with us. After that, we practically had to pull him out to get him to join in. When the boys said he was their frontman for Embrace I have to admit to having had reservations. Glad he proved me wrong with that one."

Note to self, attend as many shows as I could.

"Sorry to say I wasn't mentally there for the family gatherings he was in attendance for. I've learned a lot about him as of late, but Chase has many layers." All of which I looked forward to discovering.

We walked inside, grabbing a tray and our food. I'd barely dug into the first bite when Richard appeared to have gathered his thoughts and dove back in where our conversation had left off.

"When I first caught wind of this my initial thought was what the fuck was Casey thinking?" Straight to the punch.

"Gee, thanks." Richard was nothing if not honest with me and while I appreciated that, the sting of the slap from his words hurt.

"Hear me out. You're dating someone who is not only my son's age, your godson I might add, but my son's best friend. You've always been into younger guys, and I know your lifestyle is…interesting."

With each passing word, bile rose, and I feared for our friendship .

"But to be honest, you're the right man for Chase. You're the best man I know, and you'll be patient and kind and everything Chase deserves." Richard patted my shoulder and returned to his food while I absorbed the depth of his words.

"I haven't been this…enthralled, I guess you could say, in years. With Chase it runs so much deeper than it has with any of my past boys. Relationships in this lifestyle are gone into knowing what the other sought, expectations outlined from the onset. Every day with Chase is a new and exciting experience, full of wonderous surprises. We talk for hours on end whether by chat or phone call about everything and it's still some of the best dates I've ever had."

"You're in love with him, aren't you?"

"I am. I can't help it. Everything about him has drawn me in. I hold my breath waiting for every text and call. I can't wait to hear his voice and have him tell me how his day was. It's crazy to feel this way already, isn't it?" Was I second guessing my feelings? That wasn't like me. Other opinions never mattered before. I was so far into this my head spun.

"You can't tell the heart what it wants nor that it must abide by time and rules. When your heart finds the one, it sinks its claws all the way in."

"I'm afraid of those three life-changing words slipping past my lips and spooking him." That was putting it mildly, Chase was fidgety at the best of times. If I said I love you he'd break far too many laws as he sped off.

"I think you'll be surprised because I believe you are the one Chase not only desires, but can give him what his heart and mind need most."

"And what's that?" Richard had never hidden the fact he didn't understand my lifestyle but admitted he didn't have to. As long as both parties were consenting adults it wasn't his place to meddle.

"Stability and most of all, love and praise."

"Everything I'm ready, willing, and able to commit to." Having already envisioned this with plans in the works to make Chase his own playroom at my house, I was lightyears ahead of the game. Hopefully my heart wouldn't get broken in the interim.

"They hit the road in a couple of weeks for four months. No break until October after Rocktoberfest. How are you going to handle the distance and time apart?" My friend was far too astute and foresaw by biggest challenge—being away from my boy.

I sat back and released a heavy sigh. "Great question. I've been alone for a long time but now that I have the boy I've always wanted it'll be really fucking hard."

"Well, Cecilia and the girls and I are here for you. But damn am I proud of those boys. They had a dream and put all they had into it, and it paid off. I've always had a soft spot for metal so that proud dad cap you see on my head is laden with it." Richard was a fantastic friend, father, and husband.

"I feel you, my friend. I'm damn proud of them, too." I was but it was so much easier when my relationship wasn't involved. But I'd be damned if my feelings would ever hamper Chase's success.

With ten minutes to spare, I made it to my next class. As the students funneled in I set up the day's syllabus on the overhead screen. When I glanced up every seat in the room was filled.

That should've been my first clue something was afoot.

"Good afternoon, class. Appears we have a full house today." Every set of eyes was glued to me, many I didn't recognize from any of my classes.

That should've been my second clue.

"Shall we begin?" Several hands darted in the air, not what I expected.

"Yes?" I pointed to the girl closest to me.

"Professor Robinson, is it true you know Chase Prescott?"

Ah, the power of social media. Photos of Chase and I must've leaked.

"I don't believe that's part of today's lesson plan." I pointed to the next student.

"Is he your son?"

Definitely not a question I ever cared to hear.

"Will everyone whose question is about Chase please put your hands down. "

Every. Single. Hand. Went down.

"Now, let's get on with today's lesson, shall we?"

What in the hell was going on?

With that mess over, I snuck off to my office through the side door to see if I had a message from Chase I'd missed regarding this alleged leak. When I opened my office door, I walked right into a familiar wall of muscle.

I jumped back and clutched my proverbial pearls. "Sikes, you scared me half to death!"

He grunted then stepped aside and there sat my boy, smiling wide.

"You are a sight for sore eyes and now my last class makes more sense."

"Huh?" Chase stood and I immediately drew him into my arms.

"I just got grilled by no less than twenty students on whether I knew Chase Prescott and one had the audacity to ask if you were my son." I was still offended by that comment.

"Oh, crap. I'm sorry. I didn't think about that, but I wanted to see you. Shoot, is there a way we can sneak out?" Poor Chase was worried and that wasn't my intention.

"You'll do no such thing, sweet boy. Besides, there is no way that wall of muscle could escape unnoticed."

"Hmph," Sikes protested and grumbled, "you'd be surprised what I can do. "

"That is by far the most words you've spoken in my presence." Chase laughed at my snarky comment. "I'm so excited to see you. I just had lunch with Richard today and you were the topic of discussion."

"That can't be good," Chase sighed, still snuggled in my arms. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. Besides, it was the opposite of trouble. Richard thinks of you as a son and wanted to give me the Dad dating his offspring speech." Chase sighed. "What? That was a joke."

"I know and I love Richard and Cecilia. I just…"

"You just what?"

"Nothing, it's stupid. So, when is your next class?"

Hmm, skirting that question. We'll circle back to it around in private later.

"In about twenty-five minutes. What are your plans for the day?"

"Not sure if you saw the schedule updates, but we hit the road soon."

Best to play the positive card, though I secretly dreaded his leaving. "Are you excited?" This would no doubt be the first of many tests our relationship would endure.

"Yes and no. I love traveling but this time we're on separate buses, plus I'll be away from you. Will you be able to come to a show or two? I'll make sure you're on the lists." His excitement had me ready to use all my banked vacation time just to hit the road with him.

Such a sweet boy. "I'd like that. I opted to teach a summer course but it's over mid-July. Would there be room on the bus if I tagged along after that?"

Chase's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "I'll make room. The bunks aren't big, but I can talk to Easton and maybe in some of the cities we can get a hotel room instead. Really, though? Are you serious?"

Even if I hadn't been before, I sure as hell was now. I pressed my lips to his, loving that he was close enough to touch. "Really. I'd love nothing more than to watch you in your element. But I must bid you adieu for now, my sweet."

"Okay," Chase whispered. "I guess I'll see you around?"

"How about dinner tonight at my house? Will seven work for you?" No way was I letting my sad boy leave without making his brilliant smile return.

"Yes," he excitedly replied. "Text me the address and I'll be there."

"What time is the next class?" Sikes asked.

"You've got about ten minutes to get across a mostly empty campus. But, Chase, how do you want me to handle the questions?"

With a cocky smile and a wink as he prepared to dodge adoring fans, Chase replied, "Well, the way I see it we have two options. One, you tell them it was two friends meeting or two, you tell them we're boyfriends."

Little shit, throwing my own words back at me, but damn it if I didn't secretly love it.

Now off to lesson number one of how to date a rockstar featuring Professor Casey Robinson.

And of course I walked into another packed session.

Social media be damned because I was certain all hell was about to break loose and flush away my anonymity.

The first thing I did when I walked in the door at home was fix a stiff drink. It'd be the only one for the night since my boy was coming over but after the day I had, it was more than warranted.

Never expected Chase's life to impact my professional one as it had today. Every class was standing room only, and they paid zero attention to the syllabus. If I got asked one more time how I knew Chase Prescott and was told how hot he was I was gonna blow a gasket!

Dinner was set to be delivered just before Chase arrived. Lazy on my part? Possibly. But I was exhausted. I'd bought a few toys for him that I wanted to set out so he could entertain himself with while I prepared our plates. Plus, I wanted to see how he reacted while doing so. Would his little emerge? I really hoped so.

Being a Daddy was as much of a stress reliever for me as it was for the boys I'd had the privilege of playing with and I was hopeful the same would someday come to fruition for Chase.

The timing was a bit off, as the food arrived just as Chase pulled up.

"Busted!" He laughed as the delivery driver drove off.

"Yes, though I promise I can cook." I glanced around him. "No Sikes?"

"Nah. I promised him if I left your house he'd be the first to know. Thankfully I'm not known for causing trouble, so he trusts me. But would it be possible for me to park in your garage?"

"Absolutely. Let me set this down and I'll open it."

Once we were safely tucked inside my home, I properly greeted my boy. The blush on his face and the way he held me tight said he needed this as much as I did.

"I've got a surprise for you but let's do the thirty-second tour first so you can find your way around."

"You do? Other than that wonderful smelling bag that just got delivered?"

"Smart-ass." I stole another kiss then took his hand. "Let me show you the house. "

"It's really cute. I like it." Chase, ever the polite boy.

"It's small but it's mine. Three bedrooms, this one is the office. The one beside it is a spare room, and this is the main bedroom." We paused long enough for a quick glance. "There's an en suite and a bathroom in the hallway as well. You can use either one."

"You know how some houses are just a place to temporarily lay your head like our rental is? Yours feels different. It's simple yet comfortable. It's clean and warm." He shrugged. "Made more sense in my head."

"Made perfect sense to me. Thank you. Now, let's get to the gift giving." His face lit up and I envisioned his little excitedly jumping inside given his wide grin. I couldn't wait for the day he unleashed him and finally let loose.

He sat at the table and stared at the gift bag, waiting for Daddy to say okay.

"Such a polite boy. Go ahead, see what's inside."

Most boys would've had it all ripped up and paper shreds flying through the air, but not Chase. He gently removed the paper and set it aside, carefully taking each item out and nicely placing them side by side on the table.

"Thank you so much. This is my first Spiderman coloring book." Chase grinned, his fingers gently tracing the 3D cover .

"I don't remember if you have that Spiderman figurine or not," there were far too many on his shelves to have memorized them all. "But that's okay because I'd like for you to open that one and play with it."

Chase blankly stared up at me, the still enclosed figurine in his grasp.

"If you don't have it we can get another. They had several. I promise." I'd run back tomorrow on my lunch break and grab another if he agreed.

"Okay."

As methodically as he'd opened the bag, he did the same to the figurine packaging. I busied myself, plating up dinner and sneaking peeks as I watched him bend every piece meant to and fully assessed the abilities of his new webbed friend. With Spidey in one hand, he'd flip through the pages in the coloring book and use him to hold the page down as he studied each one. When he found the one he wanted to color he sat Spidey down just above the page so he could watch Chase color.

This was beyond adorable.

"Do you need help with dinner?" he paused at one point and asked.

"Nope, just want my sweet boy to relax and unwind." Hopefully that was the correct approach to take.

"Okay. "

I may or may not have taken a bit of extra time setting dinner up, giving Chase time to finish his picture. His tongue darted out, a peek at his little as he thoroughly engrossed himself in perfecting his artwork. He didn't even notice me as I slid a napkin and silverware on the table beside him.

"There, all done." He smiled, beyond proud of himself as was I.

"Want to hang it on the fridge?"

Chase teared up as his eyes met mine. "You-you'd let me do that?"

"I'd be honored to have my sweet boy's art proudly displayed." My heart broke for the boy who just wanted to be recognized and healed in the same moment, and I was the man who'd ensure that happened. It'd take years but Chase would come to see his thoughts and feelings mattered and were just as important as anyone else's. Even more so in this house.

Carefully, he freed the page from the book. I loved that the manufacturers wised up and perforated the pages now for ease of removal. He walked over to the fridge, selected three magnets and hung it up.

"Look, Da—Casey. It's my picture."

Almost.

He almost called me Daddy.

"I love it. It's perfect."

Chase hugged me and then hurried off to clean up his toys.