Page 28 of Awakening His Daddy

“He’s right about the bunnies,” the doctor adds. “Although, I’m not sure about the pandas.”

“Do you know what a group of hedgehogs is called?” Jamal tries again.

“No.” Izzy is shaking from trying to hold still, so I wrap an arm around his waist.

“A prickle.” Jamal laughs at his own fact, and Izzy smiles.

“That’s perfect.” Izzy hisses. “Ouch…”

“Porcupines are called a prickle too,” Jamal adds.

“What’s a group of hyenas called?” Izzy asks us, and we all shrug.

“I don’t know,” the doctor says.

“A cackle,” Izzy answers through gritted teeth.

We chuckle at his answer, but when he hisses again, the doctor reassures him she’s almost done.

“What’s a group of ferrets called?” I ask, playing along.

“Oh, I know this one! It’s a business.” Izzy sounds proud.

“Very good,” I praise, and the doctor nods to Jamal.

“Okay, smarty pants, what’s a group of armadillos called?” he teases.

“Ouch, ouch.” Izzy grits his teeth.

“Last two,” the doctor says.

“Okay. I can make it.” I squeeze his hand a little tighter. “I don’t know what a group of armadillos is called.”

“A roll.”

He giggles.

“There. All done.” The doctor stands and removes her gloves.

“Really?” The relief is obvious in Izzy’s voice.

“Yep. For now, but we’re going to send you in for an X-ray, and then we’ll be back to look at your arm, okay?”

Izzy just sticks his lip out in a cute pout that I want to kiss off his face.

But I don’t, cause I’m straight.

“Will it hurt?”

The doctor winces.

“They will be as gentle as they can,” I assure him.

“Hey there, Izaiah. I’m Tessa.”

“Izzy, please.”

“That’s so cute—” She looks up from her chart. “Oh yikes. That looks like it hurts.”