Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

Micah

As I watch my boy have fun with the others, a weight falls off my shoulders. I could tell he was nervous about being around them, given his size.

His whole life, he's been taught that it's a bad thing, when really, it's not. His size means he can reach high places, and he can play football well. It's not all of who he is.

I can already tell how pure his heart is. Each minute we spend together proves there isn't a mean bone in his body.

It's why I call him sweet boy.

Because he means no harm, and he's sweet as can be when we're alone. Just thinking about it makes my cock ache. I want him badly, but I hold true to my word. I will not push him to be intimate before he's ready.

"You're doing good with him," Oscar tells me as he moves to my left. He and Keller introduced themselves earlier once I admitted I didn't feel as overwhelmed by everyone.

I want to believe him, but I still ask, "How can you be so sure?"

He points to the group across the room. "Because of that smile he's wearing. I can tell he's having fun."

"I want to give him the world. Everything he wants," I admit. "How can one person become so important in such a short amount of time?"

Keller wraps an arm around his partner's waist. "What are we talking about?"

"How us Daddies can get a bit obsessed with our boys in the beginning. You remember what that was like, don't you?" Oscar grins up at him.

"It was rough," he admits. "All I wanted to do was be with these two all the time. I'd had a crush on Oscar for ages but ignored it. And then Neil came along. Then it was like… BOOM!"

He makes an explosion noise as he stretches his fingers out slowly. Oscar nods along.

"That's basically how I feel. I saw him on the field and knew I had to learn more. Now we're together, but it's temporary. I don't know what comes after this train ride."

"Well, first of all, you both have to get back home. You'll be together for however long that takes, right?"

I nod. "We're scheduled to fly back the day after the train arrives in California. His coach only let me keep him away for so long."

"Understandable. He's an asset to the team. But what you need to remember is that the trip isn't over yet," Keller encourages.

Oscar adds in, "And you've still got plenty of time to decide on the future. Don't assume the worst when there is a possibility for it to be everything you want and more."

Everything I want and more?

That would be amazing.

"I'm scared I'll push him too far. He's only figuring out who he is. And I can sense he's self-conscious. How do I encourage him?"

Keller moves to block my view of the boys. "Enough of that negativity. He chose you to be his Daddy, didn't he?"

"Technically, I chose him…"

Oscar snorts. "But he agreed for you to help take care of him, right? He blessed you with the title of caregiver by saying yes?"

I nod.

"Then trust that he wants you. The self-conscious stuff is harder. Our boy struggled too. All we could do was encourage him when he was down and make sure he knew how much we wanted him as well."

Resolve rushes through me. "I can do that."

"Good," Oscar says, his hand squeezing my shoulder. "You'll know what to do the better you two get acquainted. Some of it is instinct. The rest comes from watching him and seeing how he reacts."

His words settle something inside of me. I know it won't be as easy as he says, but I'm willing to give it my all.

My boy doesn't show his emotions like others do. He's much more reserved, more reluctant in a way.

Which means I'm going to catalog every nuance, every micro expression of his to be able to understand what he needs. I refuse to let him have anything else than a Daddy who helps him in every way possible.

For the first time in a long time, work isn't the primary motivator in my life. No, it's the big, sweet boy across the room who's helping his new friends decorate for Christmas. He has all my attention, all my focus.

Keller chuckles, drawing my eyes for a moment. "You're already deep in this. I can tell by the way you watch him. Oscar is right, you'll both be fine. Plus, you'll have our numbers once you're back home. Even living in different cities doesn't stop the Princess Brigade from stepping up to help fellow Daddies and boys in need."

Oscar groans. "That is not our name."

The two of them begin bickering over their group name, which I find hilarious, while I return my focus to Jett. Anyone else watching might see his lack of a smile and assume he's uncomfortable in some way.

But I know better.

Even after only a few hours with him, I can tell he's not upset. I'd bet anything he's actually rather happy.

The corner of his mouth tips up ever so slightly when one of the other boys taps him on the shoulder and points up to a high spot on the tree. Jett nods, then takes the ornament from him to place it in the spot.

This process continues a couple more times until the tree is fully decorated. Only then do they all step back to admire their handiwork.

I take the opportunity to weave past the others to get to my boy. While we took a nap earlier, I still need to check in with him to ensure he's not overwhelmed.

It's what any good Daddy would do.

Plus, I simply want to be close to him. I'm not too foolish to admit that's the larger part of my reasoning.

The closer I get to him, the more I observe.

His shoulders are loose, though his arms appear tight, as if he's torn between relaxing and keeping himself in check. He's keeping himself apart from the other boys, despite their obvious openness to include him.

And most of all, I notice his face. His gorgeous, chiseled jaw is a tiny bit clenched, and his eyes appear unfocused from my angle.

When I'm within reach, I grip his waist firmly. "Sweet boy," I whisper.

He doesn't move.

I shift to face him. That's when my heart breaks.

Tears fill his eyes. They're on the brink of falling.

"Oh, sweet boy." This time, I let him hear the sadness in my tone. I let him know I'm here, and I'll catch him if he needs to break apart again.

I take his hand, then lead him to an empty seat on the edge of the car. Easing him down, I climb onto his lap and grip his jaw in my palms.

"I'm here. It's ok. Give it all to Daddy."

At my words, he blinks. Then he blinks again.

The movement releases the tears, while also breaking the trance he'd been in. His head drops to my shoulder. I feel the wetness soaking through my clothing, yet he doesn't make a peep. My boy simply allows me to console him through his emotions.

Over his shoulder, I spot the other boys giving us concerned looks. I let my gaze meet them all as I search for Princess Aster. When our eyes do meet, his hold an understanding.

He rallies the others together, excitedly telling them he has hot chocolate for everyone to drink. There are cheers as the focus shifts away from us.

It takes a few minutes for my boy to calm down, then he's looking up at me where I'm perched on his lap. I gently wipe away the tears, my fingers thorough until he's dry again.

"All better now, huh?"

Jett nods slowly. "I don't… I'm not sure what just happened."

"I think my sweet boy got a little overwhelmed."

He frowns, though he doesn't reply. I decide to keep going.

"I know you've got friends on the team. But aside from them, I think you've been rather lonely, haven't you?" He gives another nod. "And maybe having so many nice people, people who understand this part of you that you've kept buried for so long, is a bit overwhelming? Could that be it?"

His eyes go wide. "Yeah, Daddy. I think you might be right."

I smile at him, joy filling me that my instincts were indeed correct. Look at me already crushing this Daddy thing.

When I notice Princess Aster handing out cups of hot chocolate, I lean close to whisper, "Does my boy want some hot cocoa too? I bet it will make you feel all warm and fuzzy again."

"Please," he whispers.

Smiling, I lean back and move to stand. He catches me by the wrist, halting my motions.

"Yes, sweet boy?"

He takes a deep breath, then asks, "Will you stay with me this time, Daddy? I'm better when you're around."

Speechless at his words, I give a shaky nod. The smile I'm rewarded with makes my knees weak.

How the fuck am I supposed to stand up now?

Somehow, I manage just fine. Could be from the way my boy holds onto me, his touch steadying unlike anything else I've ever felt. Or it could be from how much affection runs through me, the emotion creating a distraction far outweighing my physical woes.

I lead him over to the group. They're all smiling and laughing, which thankfully continues even after they spot us.

"Jett! Micah! I have hot chocolate!" Princess Aster shouts the greetings and news our way.

With a grin, I reply, "So I've heard. We'd love some if you have enough to share."

Charlie laughs. "He's got enough to supply us all for a full week. My boy overplans when it comes to his Little friends and family."

Princess Aster, who was scowling at his Daddy for laughing, beams at the praise. "Family takes care of family."

The group nods with him, as do I. I even see Jett angling his head, the closest I can see him getting to enthusiastically going along with it all.

We're given two cups of hot cocoa, then shown to an empty set of seats close by. I move to sit beside Jett, but again, he halts me with a hand on my wrist.

"Will you sit in my lap again? I really like you there."

I know how much it cost him to ask me something like this, especially being so close to the others. There's no doubt they heard him. It's even more obvious when I catch a few smiles and a thumbs up from both Oscar and Keller.

"Anything you want, sweet boy. Just ask and it's yours."

The promise is a bold one. While I might not be a millionaire who can give him everything he's ever wanted at the swipe of a credit card, I still feel confident in my ability to provide what he needs.

My sweet boy has enough money on his own to buy what he wants. I have no doubt there's nothing missing from his life in that way.

But it's the other stuff that he needs: love, affection, attention, touch.

All those are things I can provide that don't require my bank balance to be overflowing. If anything, I can supply him with what he needs in abundance.

I'll never not want to touch him or show him how special he is to me. I can't picture a life where I'm not with him anymore.

In just a few short hours, he's completely changed my perspective on… well, everything.

I couldn't wait to see what other new revelations came next.