15. Epilogue - Ev

Ev sat in Daddy's lap, sipping his drink and swinging his feet as they waited for the demo to start. They had a prime spot, their curved booth positioned on the side of the stage, where they could see the action without being in the center of things. It was one of the perks of Daddy being old friends with the owners, as well as being the guy they went to for everything PR.

Ev tilted his head toward Daddy and got an absent kiss, Daddy not even pausing in his conversation with Jack and Spencer. It made Ev grin. He'd trained his Daddy well in the months they'd been officially together. Ev knew most people assumed the Dom trained the sub, but in his experience, it went both ways.

A crowd was starting to gather for Max's scene, when Owen hurried up, cheeks flushed from the cool spring air and still stripping off his jacket. "Sorry I'm late," he said. "I had a bride who cried all her makeup off, and I had to go back and fix it before the reception. You'd think they'd believe me when I say waterproof mascara only, but no. They always think they know better than the professional makeup artist. Thank you." He took a big swallow of the drink Daddy handed him and collapsed back against the sofa with a sigh. "Sorry," he said again, reaching out to pat Ev's knee. "I wish I could have made it to dinner. How's Kelsey?"

"She's good," Ev said, chasing the straw around his drink with his tongue until he could catch a sip. "Ahh. Super excited that we got paid and she can make her mother shut up about reality shows, but having serious FOMO 'cause Daddy wouldn't let her come to the club with us."

Daddy leaned in and nipped the shell of Ev's ear. "Despite what she claims, she's not twenty-one yet, and the last thing this place needs is the scandal of an up-and-coming social media star getting caught at a kink club with the sexy piano player she claims she's not dating."

Ev kissed Gabe's cheek sweetly. "If anyone can make a scandal go away, it's you, Daddy." He rolled his eyes while Daddy wasn't looking and caught Owen hiding a giggle behind his drink.

Daddy poked him where he was ticklish, making Ev yelp. "And I am handling it. By banning her from the club until she's at least twenty-five."

Once Daddy stopped torturing him, Ev sagged back against his chest, snuggling and sipping his drink. It was his third of the night, but the first two had been at dinner. They'd all gone out to celebrate Ev and Kelsey getting their first commission checks from the social media platform where they posted the videos of their performances. When that first video, the one from LA that Remy had shot, went super viral, Kelsey had approached Ev about working together again. She liked his style, which complemented her own, and loved his music.

It had taken Ev a couple of days to think it over, but in the end, the worst had already happened, and Daddy had taken care of it. He hadn't heard from either of his parents in the months since his mother's call, so Ev had agreed to record a series of covers with Kelsey. Owen had done their styling and had a friend who filmed for them.

They'd put the first one up on their channel a week later, and after a strategic bump from Remy, they had gone viral for the second time. Then things really got crazy when the original singer of one of their covers saw it and posted a response praising Kelsey's talent and memorably saying, "Now I know what that song's supposed to sound like."

The channel wasn't much work. They were only posting once every few days and they could record all the videos in one shot, but it was bringing in good money. That first check had four zeros attached, even after they split it.

To celebrate their success, Ev had insisted on treating Gabe to dinner at their favorite Thai restaurant. Kelsey had joined them, as had Gabe's friends from the club. Then they had headed back to the Edge to see the sensation play demo Max had scheduled.

Max was up onstage now in all his Daddy Dom glory. That man could fill out some leather pants, that was for sure, and the black harness really set off the silver in his chest hair. Ev didn't know the boy Max was demoing with, but he was cute. Ev shot a glance at Owen. His friend hadn't been subtle about his fascination with the club owner, but he was also still insisting that he was done with men. If Ev ever got his hands on Scott—well, it wouldn't be nearly as nice as pink glitter.

Owen was on the edge of his seat, enraptured as Max attached the boy's wrists to a St. Andrew's cross using leather cuffs and spoke about skin preparation in his deep, calm voice.

Ev tilted his head helpfully when Daddy brushed a kiss to his neck then murmured in his ear, "Slow down on that drink, tiger. I have plans for us later."

Ev glanced at said drink, surprised to see half of it gone, then lowered the glass. He would sip from now on. "What kinds of plans?" he asked, wiggling in Daddy's lap. That could mean a lot of things, but Ev was hoping for a scene in one of the private rooms. They had so much fun stuff here, and Ev had barely seen any of it yet.

"You'll have to wait and see, but I will tell you it's on your list."

That made Ev bounce until Daddy squeezed his hips to stop him from falling to the floor. Ev's "want to try it" list was extensive, mostly because there was a spot for it in the Exchange app, and every time Ev had an idea, he wrote it down. Daddy had already checked off quite a few boxes.

"This is going to be a good one," Jack said, appearing from somewhere and sliding into the booth on the far side. "Felix puts on a great show."

"He does," Daddy agreed in a tone that made Ev's nose scrunch. He eyed the pretty boy onstage again. He looked like a stiff wind might blow him over. Ev froze when Daddy's fingers drifted toward ticklish places threateningly. "Put away the eyes, tiger. You have nothing to worry about."

Ev tried to shake off his possessive jealousy, but it was stubbornly stuck. "You've played with him?"

Gabe had the nerve to chuckle at him, and Ev scowled harder. He knew Daddy had been around the scene for a while, but something about the boy onstage put him on edge. He looked…flirty. Daddy nuzzled Ev's cheek until he pulled his eyes away from the stage and accepted a kiss that deepened until Ev couldn't remember what he'd been fussing about. Daddy loved him the most, and that was all that mattered.

"Pretty much every Dom in the room has played with Felix," Jack filled in. "He's a fun boy, but he isn't looking for more than a good time. That's one of the reasons he's so great for these demos. He's up for anything, and the tops don't need to worry that he'll get the wrong idea when they ask about a scene."

Well okay, then. Ev relaxed. Good for Felix, he guessed. Ev couldn't imagine not wanting a Daddy who was just his, but to each their own.

Daddy's teeth settled on Ev's jaw with gentle pressure, then he growled. Ev giggled. "Daddy, I'm the tiger, not you."

Daddy smiled against his skin. "Maybe I just want to mark my boy where everyone can see. So no one gets any ideas about who you belong to."

Ev's heart was so full. He couldn't stop smiling.

The demo was interesting, and Jack was right that Felix and Max put on a good show, but Ev didn't think sensation play was for him. First of all, he was way too ticklish, and second, ice on his balls? No thank you! He cupped a hand over his crotch, wincing as Felix went up on his toes in an effort to get away, pleading with Max to stop torturing him. Owen was doing the same thing, and they giggled at each other's expressions.

Daddy's hands kept slipping under Ev's clothes, stroking and fondling, but it was absent-minded, like he couldn't help but touch Ev all the time. Ev wasn't complaining, even though he was going to be all worked up by the end of the demo.

Halfway through the scene, Spencer joined them. He looked like an accountant because he was. Daddy and the others teased him for dressing the part when he was the money guy for a kink club with literally no dress code. He claimed that after all his years on Wall Street, this was how he was most comfortable. Ev gave him a wave when he sat down and got a stiff nod in return. Daddy called Spencer a reluctant sub, which didn't sound like much fun to Ev, but who knew. Maybe the push and pull was what did it for him. The guy seemed nice enough whenever Ev saw him. Just quiet and not the best at chitchat.

Jack put his arm around Spencer, who remained stiff but didn't pull away. Jack was Ev's favorite of Gabe's friends. He was fun and had a history of getting into hilarious trouble. Daddy said he'd calmed down in recent years, but Ev wasn't sure if he believed that.

The demo ended, and Owen slid from the booth. "Would anyone like another drink?" he asked, not looking at Jack or Spencer but clearly including them in the offer. They all put in their orders, and Jack made sure Owen was putting it on his tab before heading off. Ev offered to help, but Owen said he had it, so he settled back into Daddy's arms.

"Are your legs asleep yet?" he asked. He'd been in Daddy's lap for ages, but Daddy hadn't complained once.

"I'm fine, baby. I didn't need those legs anyway."

Ev gave him an affronted look that Daddy kissed off his face with a chuckle.

"If I want you to move, I'm perfectly capable of moving you," Daddy said when the kissing was over. "And for now, you aren't going anywhere."

Ev leaned his head on Gabe's shoulder and took Gabe's arms, wrapping them snugly around his waist. "Good. 'Cause I'm happy right where I am."

"Me too, tiger. Me too."

With the demo over, the crowd was dispersing, some moving forward to check out the display of supplies Max had used and others heading toward the bar or to the lounge area downstairs. Max and Felix had disappeared a few minutes ago, probably for aftercare in one of the back rooms.

Ev spotted Owen weaving his way back through the crowd with a tray of drinks, his eyes locked on the topped-off glasses as he tried not to spill. Just as Ev was about to stand to help him, one of the people at the stage stepped back to leave, and their foot went right into Owen's path. Owen had no chance. His eyes went wide as he pitched forward, the tray of drinks tumbling to the floor with a crash that was loud, even over the music.

Ev gasped as Owen went down after them and scrambled from Daddy's lap, rushing to his friend.

Owen was on his knees in a puddle of liquid, trying to gather the broken glass back onto the tray.

"Owen," Ev exclaimed. "Are you okay?" He crouched down and tried to see what was going on, but it was too dark. "Stop. Stop, you'll cut yourself." He batted Owen's hand away from a smashed wineglass stem. "We can get a broom. Stop."

Owen didn't seem to hear him and reached for another shard. Ev needed help. He turned to look for Daddy, but Daddy was already there, catching Owen's wrists while Jack stepped up behind him and lifted him to his feet. Ev scrambled up as well, his worry twisting in his chest.

The light was better, and he gasped at the gash in Owen's palm and the blood dripping from his fingers. Jack cursed and called for someone to bring him a towel. Spencer appeared a moment later with both a towel and a broom and directed the onlookers back from the mess.

"This is going to need stitches," Jack announced as he peeked at Owen's cut under the towel.

"No," Owen said, voice sharp with panic. "No. I'll be fine."

Ev gave him an incredulous look. "Dude, you're bleeding everywhere. You need a doctor."

Owen shook his head rapidly. "No, just give me some gauze or something. I can do it myself." He pressed the towel harder to his hand and blinked a few times like he was trying to clear his vision.

Jack didn't try to argue. He just swept Owen up in his arms and started for the stairs. Ev jogged after them, Daddy right beside him. Owen was still protesting when they reached the stairwell, and with a grumbled curse, Jack carried him up instead of down.

"Where are you taking him?" Ev asked Jack's back as he ran after. Jack was taking the stairs two at a time, and Ev could hardly keep up. "Daddy, where are we going? He needs a doctor."

Gabe ducked ahead of them and opened the door to the fifth floor, then another that led to a long hallway of what looked like offices.

They reached a wooden door, and Gabe held it so Jack could carry Owen, who had gone quiet when he saw they weren't going to the hospital, inside.

Ev was right that it was an office. As they walked in, Max stood from the leather sofa, and Felix hopped up after him.

"What happened?" Max asked, his deep voice sharp with concern.

"It's no big deal," Owen repeated. "It's just a cut. I'm fine."

Max shifted his concerned look to Jack.

"He needs stitches but doesn't want to go to the hospital." He handed Owen to Max like he was passing a package marked fragile. "I'm calling Grant."

"Who's Grant?" Ev wondered. He hadn't heard that name before.

"Jack's husband. He's a doctor," Gabe answered, wrapping an arm around Ev and pulling him close.

"Surgeon," Jack corrected, his phone already to his ear as he turned away to make the call.

Max moved to the sofa and sat, settling Owen in his lap. Ev thought that was a little overly familiar before he saw how pale and shocky Owen looked and the way he was clutching Max's shirt with his uninjured hand.

Ev glanced at Felix, whose aftercare they'd interrupted, but other than the crease of concern on his forehead, he seemed fine.

The room was tense as they waited. After a short conversation, Jack ended his call and crouched down in front of Owen. "My husband will be here in ten minutes. He's bringing supplies to stitch you up, but he says if you need surgery, he's taking you straight to the hospital. No arguments."

Owen's lower lip wobbled, and tears streaked his cheeks. "I don't have insurance," he admitted, voice shaky.

Jack petted his hair back from his face. "I figured. But don't worry about that right now. It can all be worked out later. There are a lot of tendons in your hands, and the most important thing is making sure you didn't do any permanent damage."

Ev twisted his fingers together as the clock ticked. Spencer poked his head in to check on them and said everything was cleaned up downstairs and the guy who'd accidentally tripped Owen had apologized and hoped he was okay. When ten minutes had passed, Felix offered to run down to the entrance to collect Grant.

A few minutes later, he returned, a strikingly handsome man with a black bag in tow. Daddy nodded to him, and Max thanked him for coming so quickly.

Grant opened his bag on the coffee table and knelt down in front of Owen to take a look at his hand. Owen held it out reluctantly and winced when Grant eased the towel away. He made a sympathetic sound as he examined the wound and had Owen move each of his fingers in turn. His face remained calm, and some of Ev's worry unwound. A calm doctor was a good sign, right?

"You definitely need stitches," Grant announced. "But I think we can avoid surgery. You don't seem to have nicked anything vital."

Owen let out a breath that shook, and Max murmured, "Thank fuck," giving Owen a brief squeeze.

"I can numb you up and put in a few stitches, but you need to promise me you'll follow my care instructions afterward. You'll need bandage changes twice a day and antibiotics for two weeks."

"I'll take care of him, Sir," Ev cut in. He could stay with Owen for a few days at the apartment until he was feeling better.

Grant's lips twitched into a smile. "You don't need to call me Sir. I'm not a Dom."

Ev blinked at him. Really? 'Cause he was married to one of the guys who'd started the Edge, and he had all kinds of Daddy energy. Maybe it was just a surgeon thing? Whatever. That wasn't important. "I can help Owen with his bandages and make sure he takes his medicine and cook for him and help him take a shower and—"

"Breathe, boy," Daddy cut in. "We'll both help, Grant. We appreciate you doing this."

That agreement made, Grant proceeded to numb Owen's hand and stitch him up. Owen spent most of the procedure with his face hidden in Max's chest, while Ev did his best to keep him distracted. When Grant was done, Owen had a fresh white bandage on his hand, strict instructions to keep it clean and dry, a prescription for antibiotics, and another for painkillers.

Grant packed up all his supplies, then got a kiss of thanks from his husband and a cheeky promise for more later. Then he headed out.

Owen was still curled in Max's lap and looking sleepy, so Daddy announced it was time to go home and that Owen would be staying with them tonight. Ev hugged him in gratitude.

"Oh." Ev remembered. "But he needs his bunny. He can't sleep without it."

"We'll swing by and get it," Daddy promised.

"Don't hafta," Owen mumbled, his cheek pressed to Max's chest. "S'fine."

Ev gave Daddy big eyes and got a kiss to the forehead in reply. "We'll stop and get it."

Ev had the best Daddy.

Ev kept his arm around Owen as they stepped off the elevator, even though he didn't look so wobbly anymore. Daddy went ahead and opened the apartment door for them.

Ev helped Owen get his shoes off, ignoring his protests that he could do it himself. "You got stitches," he reminded him. "Just hug Bunny and let me help."

Owen huffed but did as he was told, pressing his lips to the worn fur on top of Bunny's head.

When Ev straightened again, he finally realized that something was different. "Why is the sofa moved?" He stepped farther into the living room and froze. Taking up the space by the window where the round dining table used to be stood a beautiful baby grand piano.

Ev couldn't breathe. Arms slid around him from behind, and Daddy hugged him close. "Surprise," he murmured in Ev's ear.

"You—" Ev tried and failed to speak. "How?"

"It was delivered while we were at dinner."

"You bought a piano?"

Daddy kissed his temple. "No. I bought you a piano."

Ev blinked rapidly. But… "Why?"

Daddy's quiet laugh vibrated against his back. "Because nothing makes you happier than creating music. You glow, tiger."

Ev gripped Gabe's hands where they rested on his belly. He was totally lost for what to say. This was so much. Too much. "I—thank you. But you didn't need to do this. I have my keyboard."

"And I've heard you waxing poetic to Kelsey about how much better the piano at the studio is," Gabe replied. "Now you have one you can play whenever you want, with no limits or expectations. I want you to make music that's for you and no one else."

Ev wasn't going to cry. He was happy, dammit. This wasn't the time for tears. He sniffled. "I love it," he managed to get out. He reached up and tugged Gabe down for a kiss, tilting his head back to meet him halfway. "I guess this means you want to keep me around," he said, trying for lighthearted even though his heart was doing wildly distracting things in his chest. "'Cause there's no way you're getting rid of me now. I'm gonna be here all the damn time."

Gabe cupped his cheek, his blue eyes warm. "I'll do you one better. Move in with me."

Ev couldn't say yes fast enough. Except, crap. Owen. He turned to look at his roommate, who was leaning in the doorway, watching them with a soft smile on his face.

"Say yes, Ev. I can find a new roommate, and I'll never forgive you if you turn him down for my sake."

Ev laughed and turned back to Gabe. "I'd love to move in with you, Daddy."

Gabe swooped down and kissed him soundly. Then again, his warm lips lingering. Ev sighed into his mouth, sliding his arms up to loop around Gabe's neck.

Owen cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I don't think I need to be here for this."

Gabe cursed under his breath and let Ev go reluctantly. A few minutes later, they had Owen settled on the fold-out bed in Gabe's office with a glass of water, painkillers, and his bunny. Ev tucked him in and kissed his forehead. "We're right down the hall if you need anything."

Owen relaxed into the mattress with a contented sigh. "Get out of here and thank your Daddy. I'm going to put the pillow over my head and sleep for a week."

Ev pulled the door shut behind him and returned to the living room, where Gabe was waiting for him next to the piano.

"Will you play something for me, tiger?"

Ev crossed the room and leaned up for another kiss. How had everything turned out so perfect? Past Ev had been so very wrong. Dating his boss was the best decision he'd ever made.

Pressing a final kiss to Gabe's lips, Ev sat down at the piano, his Daddy watching over him, and started to play.