Page 15 of Just a Little in Love

He was worried he might be giving Rowan the wrong idea. But then, Rowan needed a friend, and the Master title or even just his first name wasn’t working. He needed advice. But he had no ability, and especially no right, to get any information about Rowan that Rowan didn’t give him.

Baby steps. The more Rowan relaxed around him, the more he would trust him, and hopefully, the more Gabe would be able to help. Rowan needed to be happy and a little more confident in himself. He didn’t need to settle. He was smart, kind, and any Daddy would be very lucky to have him.

It was a shame Gabriel wasn’t one.

Chapter eight

It was Monday, Rowan’s least favorite day of the week. And to make matters worse, Father had said he was staying at Hilary’s next weekend because he had a firm coming in to deep clean all the carpets to get ready to list the house, which meant Rowan couldn’t stay there either. He’d love to be brave enough to get a hotel, but it wasn’t worth one of Mother’s moods if she found out.

Daddy Gabriel had asked him if he wanted to bring some things over next weekend as well, which he’d eagerly agreed to, until he got the text from his father a few minutes ago. Now he knew he was going to miss seeing Daddy Gabriel. He was only allowed in the little room on open nights for interested members so Rowan wouldn’t even see him at the club, even if he could think of a reason to go.

How was the college visit?

Rowan looked down at the phone he was still holding and warmth spread through him. He was here to explore his options, but he hadn’t signed up for any classes.

I’ve only been here an hour, but it’s been good. How is work?

Boring.

Rowan stared at his screen and watched the little bubbles with bated breath.

Do you ever go to the club any other night?

Rowan sighed. He wished. And there was no way he was going to admit he couldn’t go because his mother wouldn’t allow it. But what could he say? He needed to think, so he pushed his phone into his pocket and didn’t reply.

He got two texts the next day and replied politely. One Wednesday. None so far today, and he was miserable. He also didn’t know what to do. Mother had announced this morning that she would be away for the weekend again. He knew she wouldn’t allow him to stay at home on his own, and he could hardly ask Father to lie for him.

In desperation, he pulled his phone out and started texting.

I can’t come this weekend. Father’s away and it's awkward.

Rowan regretted it as soon as it sent, but to his shock, Daddy Gabriel started texting right away.

Assuming your mom doesn’t know about the club?

Wow, that was intuitive, but after the debacle with the emergency numbers maybe not. He’d already gotten a message from Charlie offering to be his emergency number at the club so Master Adrian wouldn’t get angry. Charlie covered for him with his dad as well. He wasn’t about to risk his dad ever needing him on a Friday night and calling his friends from college.

So you’ll be at your mom’s?

That was the trouble. He didn’t know where he would be. Rowan didn’t know what to say. He knew what he wanted though, and before he could chicken out, he texted his father. It wasn’t exactly a lie. He just asked him not to tell his mother he was going away this weekend. He didn’t get a reply for quite a while, but when he did, he was surprised.

Absolutely, so long as you promise me you’re safe. Text me both days please, just to humor an old man. You have your bank card?

I promise. It’s just a friend, but Mother would worry.

Have fun.

Now what? The weekend stretched out in front of him like a huge cave. He couldn’t go to a hotel because mother kept all his bank cards.

Then he texted Daddy Gabriel.

I’m good. I’ll bring my things over at the weekend. Let me know what day.

But Daddy had gone offline.

“He said you could call him Daddy?” Charlie said in awe. Rowan nodded and fixed a particularly tricky piece of Lego to the front of the train. They were in the little room. It was Friday and Rowan was concentrating on Lego because he didn’t want to start hyperventilating over the fact that he didn’t have anywhere to stay tonight. At least the disaster last week had happened on Thursday when the other littles weren’t there, and Charlie wouldn’t say anything. And he’d brought his car so he could decide where to go when the club closed.

“But not here. Just at home, and Daddy Gabriel, not just Daddy, obviously.” Like the word Master, the name was omitted to indicate a relationship, rather than just a play partner or someone else’s daddy.

---