20. Cayson

CAYSON

When Finn first came over to where me and James were talking and pulled me in for a quick kiss, James's eyes almost popped out of his head.

I chuckled and had to explain our newly developing dynamic. "So I finally get to be a Daddy, and Finn here is learning how to add Daddy to his Dominant tendencies."

Finn lightly pinched my side. "I think I'm doing a pretty good job of handling both of you." He raised an eyebrow, challenging me to argue.

"Agreed." I gave him another quick kiss and glanced over at our boy.

He and Max were giggling over something, so we told James the full story of what happened at the minimart.

James just shook his head at the end of it all. "Damn, I'm glad you guys are all alright, but that's…crazy." He cocked his head and reached for my shoulder, giving me a little shake. "And I'm really happy for you. Both of you. Finding the right partner isn't easy, and the fact that you all found each other at the same time is pretty amazing."

Finn's hand rubbed across my back and held me tight to his side. "How do you know Dylan?"

James slipped his hands into his pockets and leaned against a stool without fully sitting. "Through Max, obviously. But I had to pick them and a few other boys up a few weeks ago after they got drugged at a bar."

Finn nodded, and I could feel his body tense up. "Yeah, I read that report and looked into it. We never caught the fuckers, but if I ever get a few minutes alone with them, I'll let them know what I think about their form of seduction."

James nodded. "Yeah, these guys were lucky. Their other friend, Augie, wasn't as lucky. Actually, I'll remind Max to set up a play date either at our place or at Primal with everyone. We can get a quick check-in to make sure everyone's doing all right."

"What about their other friend? There were four of them total, right? What happened to him?"

"Brayden is good. My buddy Roy took him home, and I think they've kept in touch. Max and Brayden work together, so they see each other daily, and Brayden seems to be in a better place than he was a few weeks ago. I think his therapy is helping."

I was glad to hear it. "That's good. I think Dylan was also struggling. He said he went to the minimart to get bourbon so he could sleep."

I hated thinking of our boy having to drink himself to sleep every night. Now that he had us to tuck him in, I hoped that would never happen again.

Finn kissed my cheek then went to go sit with the boys while I grabbed a beer for James. "So things are good with you and Max?"

He glanced at Max and smiled in a way I'd never seen him before. Probably the same goofy smile he saw on my face when I looked at my men. "Yeah, we're great. He makes me feel young half the time, and old as fuck the rest of the time."

I laughed, appreciating the sentiment. "Yeah, I can see that happening. Dylan regresses pretty young, so I think we'll have fun with him. But, ya know, we're still just getting to know each other. Feeling things out."

James raised a brow over his bottle as he took a drink. "Seems like you all know each other pretty well."

"We're getting there. Faster than I would have guessed possible. We've barely been apart since Friday night and that still doesn't feel like enough." I looked at Finn as he played footsie with Dylan under the table, and Dylan showed some kind of phallic dough creation to Max. "I've never felt anything like it before."

"You know what that means, right?" James got comfortable on the stool and waited for me to respond.

"What?"

He didn't say anything, just continued to look at me.

"Like, love?" I shrugged, knowing that was what he was getting at. Mostly because I knew it was true. "Yeah, maybe. Probably. But we need more time, right?" I looked up at my friend. "How much time did you and Max need?"

He choked out a laugh. "I was ready to tell him I loved him the minute I saw him. I think we waited a week or two before saying it, but that was just a formality, but we both knew right away… So, don't let a clock or calendar dictate how you feel. If you feel something, be honest. I don't think you're gonna scare either of those guys away with a little honesty or affection."

"Damn, when did you become so smart?"

He turned to Max again as he placed his bottle on the counter. "Since I found the person I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with."

I dropped onto the stool beside him and looked at my guys. "Yeah, I'm starting to think I'm finally getting smart too."