Page 64 of Baby Boy

Jace patted his back. “Anything else?” He wanted to bring up Avery’s work hours, but he really wanted Avery to broach the subject first.

“I don’t want to work as much as I do. I mean I need the money but…I’m tired.”

“Thank God!” Jace gushed in relief.

Avery peered up at him.

“I’m sorry, baby boy, but your work schedule is ridiculous. You don’t sleep nearly enough and you run around until you’re about to drop. Plus, I really don’t like the manager at the restaurant.”

“Me neither.” Avery shuddered. “He’s mean.”

“Here’s what I suggest,” Jace offered. “This week, I want you to gather all your financial records, your check stubs, and schedules and bring them over. We’re still spending Saturday together, right?”

“I hope so.”

“Then we’ll sit down and make you a budget and work out a schedule of hours for work and school that I approve. Then you’ll follow that schedule. If someone calls and asks you to pick up a shift, you need to call me before you agree.”

“I, uh, I have trouble saying no,” Avery admitted. “They call and I feel like I owe them since they gave me a job.”

“I can understand that to a point,” Jace said. “But I also think you get taken advantage of as well and I won’t allow that any longer. You’re giving me the control to put my foot down and trust me, boy, I will.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I want that. If you tell me no, then I won’t feel bad when I can’t take an extra shift. Because you made the decision.”

“Exactly. It’s your mean Daddy who won’t allow it.”

Avery giggled, filling the kitchen with such a sweet sound. “You’re not mean!”

“I will be to anyone who tries to take advantage of my boy’s sweet nature again. I know how much the coffee shop and people mean to you, so I’ll allow some leeway there. Plus you have good friends and support there.”

“I do.”

“But the restaurant and food delivery I will look at closely. If we can cut those down, you will be doing so.”

“And I can spend more time here,” Avery questioned. “With you?”

“Absolutely,” Jace replied. If he could demand Avery quit both the extra jobs and just work a few shifts at the coffee shop, he would. Soon, hopefully soon, Avery will turn over even that much control to him. The main goal was for Avery to enjoy every minute of his day. Working like a dog was not what his boy needed. Jace had plenty of money to ensure Avery could continue his education and work for fun, not necessity. Plus, Avery needed more friends to spend time with so his boy wasn’t so lonely and knew that he had support. Mitch was already a fan of Avery, but the club was full of boys always looking for a friend. Avery would soon have so many friends he wouldn’t know what to do them. He might even get into a little mischief with the other boys. His sweet baby needed a little mischief in his life.

“You’re the best Daddy in the whole world,” Avery declared, throwing his arms around Jace.

Jace chuckled. He felt like a superhero and was more content than he’d ever been before. “Only because I have the best boy in the whole world.”

§ § §

AVERY

After Avery had a full belly, Jace settled him on the couch. Avery loved their cuddle seasons where he got to lie between Jace’s legs with his head on Jace’s chest. He cuddled his stuffies and lily as he settled down for the night.

Knowing that Jace was going to help him figure out the rest of his life had him looking forward to the future for the first time.

With the lights off and only the television flickering, Avery could pretend it was just him and Jace alone in the world. He cuddled into Jace before he turned his head. Jace’s chest was right there. Avery slipped his hand under Jace’s shirt and placed his palm over his pec.

He received a kiss on the top of his head so obviously Jace didn’t mind.

Avery watched the rest of his show as he petted his Daddy. As the next episode started, he pushed up at the material blocking him from Jace’s skin.

“Hold on, baby boy,” Jace said quietly. He leaned forward before grabbing the neck of his shirt and removing the garment, then leaned back, taking Avery with him.

Ah, that was so much better. Avery continued to run his fingers over Jace’s skin as he watched his show.

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