Page 125 of Ride With Me

Clearing my throat, I decide I need some air and a moment to think. “Bear, I’ve just remembered I need to make a call. I’m going to step outside real quick, but I’ll be right back, okay?”

He smiles. “Okay, Daddy.”

My heart thuds, the word taking on a whole new meaning as it registers this time.

My phone is in my hand before I’ve made it onto the tiny street-facing balcony. I slide the glass door closed behind me and lean against it as I glare out into the darkness, holding my phone to my ear.

Anson answers just before I’m certain his voicemail is about to kick in. “Vinnie, what’s up?”

“You could have told me thatBaby Bearis into age play,” I growl down the line, keeping my voice low. On the other end of the call, my best friend cracks up.

“I tried!” He laughs, and I picture him shaking his head. “Dude, Itriedto warn you?—”

“How do you even know people with these kinks?” I demand, refusing to acknowledge that, yeah, he did try to talk Baron and me apart last night. Then, feeling hurt that I was left out of the loop, I ask, “And why didn’t you tell me?”

Anson sighs. “I joined a kink club a couple of months ago. I…Well, thewhys don’t really matter.” He clears his throat andI wonder what else my best friend has been keeping from me. “Anyway, I didn’t tell you because I’ve been figuring stuff out.”

“You didn’t think I’d listen?” It stings even more to hear that he didn’t trust me. “You thought I’d judge you?”

“Nothing like that, asshole,” he huffs. “I just didn’t want to bring it up until I was more comfortable with it myself.”

Well, that makes sense, I guess.

Apologizing, I tell him as much.

“Anyway,” he redirects, “how’d you finally work out that Bear’s a Little? Did he tell you?”

“I…um…” Releasing a long breath, I close my eyes and admit, “He invited me to come andplay,and I thought…”

Anson’s renewed laughter is raucous, drowning out the rest of my explanation. “Wait, wait, wait… You’re at his placenow? For what you thought was a booty call? And he’s, what, got his train set out for you?”

“His stuffies,” I grumble to the sound of more laughter. “Shut up, numbnuts, and tell me what I should do.”

“How am I supposed to shut upandtell you what to do?”

For fuck’s sake, how is this guy my best friend?

“Anson…”

“Okay, okay. Geez, take a deep breath, big man. Calm down.”

I growl in frustration.

“Alright, alright. In all seriousness”—his tone shifts from jovial to all business—“the way I see it, you have two choices. You can embrace those caretaker tendencies we both know you have and just go with it to see if you like it, or you can tell Bear you got your wires crossed and should probably leave.” He pauses. “Just…be gentle with him, man.”

A sinking feeling hits me when I consider walking away. “You think I’d be a dick?”

“No, but…ugh,” Anson exhales. “It’s not my place to say anything, but he’s…young, Vince. He’s young, and new to dating and putting himself out there.”

I think back to Baron’s shy admission that he’s never had anyone to call Daddy before and a suspicion tickles my brain. “Are you saying he’s a v?—”

“Uh-uh. You have to talk to him. I’ve already meddled way too much.”

“Anson…”

“Go. Talk to Bear. Be your sweet, considerate self and you’ll be fine.”

“Anson.”

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