Page 11 of Baby Boy

Avery hadn’t slept for two weeks when his blanket had been taken away. Even at sixteen he’d known it was ridiculous that he needed a special blanket to sleep with. But since he’d struggled giving up sucking his thumb as well, his grandmother had put her foot down. Avery had still sucked his thumb on stressful days until he lived in the dorms. He’d gotten better at hiding that habit, but in college there was no privacy.

Knowing his past struggles, Avery felt guilty just holding the blanket still wrapped in plastic. His grandmother had been so proud of him when he’d finally given it up. No sixteen-year-old should drag around a blanket or suck his thumb. There was obviously something wrong with him but Jace’s words made him feel safe and maybe, just maybe, Jace would understand.

Avery shook his head. There was a big difference between calling someone Daddy in bed and carrying a blanket around. He sighed but that didn’t stop his fingers from stroking over the plastic.

What would it hurt to just hold his own blanket? No, that wasn’t right. Even at sixteen Avery hadn’t called that blue fabric his blanket. No, his lily.

Avery slowly drew his lily from its wrapping and held it up to his nose, taking a deep breath. It still smelled like home and comfort. True, it also smelt a little stale from being stored but just having it in his hands had tears gathering in his eyes. He was an adult who just wanted to hold his lily—what was wrong with him?

Or was there something wrong with him at all?

When he’d been on Jace’s lap, Jace had made comments about a blanket and binkie. Avery wasn’t stupid—he knew what a binkie was. So, it was sort of the same thing.

Maybe instead of worrying, Avery needed to do the research like he planned.

With his lily still in one hand, he picked up his phone with the other. God bless the internet.

§ § §

JACE

Jace sighed walking in through his front door and started to undo his tie before he’d even locked up. It had been a long fucking day made even worse since he hadn’t gotten to see or text Avery. As soon as he was changed, that was the first mission for the night.

He knew he’d been pushing Avery over the weekend, adding good boy, baby boy, and other endearments in their messages, but he was hoping to gently remind Avery what kind of relationship he was interested in. Avery was such a natural boy and would blossom under the care of a Daddy. Jace had no doubts.

“Gotta get out of this monkey suit first,” Jace muttered to himself. His house was so quiet it appeared colder than it was actually was. He strode through the living room with its dark leather furniture and well-stocked electronics. Already Jace could picture Avery lying on a rug in the middle of the floor, playing with blocks or pushing cars around.

Jace shook his head. He was getting ahead of himself again. He’d just gotten Avery to agree to dinner.

He continued to his bedroom and changed quickly, his expensive suit easily replaced with an old pair of sweats and a thin, well-worn T-shirt. He loved lounging around his house and it would be even better with his boy. The room across from his called to him and Jace didn’t resist.

“Let’s just take a look,” he said to himself. Jace walked over and opened the door that always remained closed. He didn’t even allow his cleaning service that came once a week inside. This room wasn’t for anyone but him and his baby boy.

Leaning against the door jamb, Jace had to smile. The nursery had been a work in progress, but it was quickly becoming complete. Learning more and more about Avery over the last couple of months, Jace had gone overboard decorating and getting the room ready.

His boy loved animals so Jace had settled on a zoo theme. The walls had been hand-painted with a mural over the day bed by a local artist in the lifestyle. The furniture, dark cherrywood, contrasted perfectly with the beautiful artwork. There were images of every type of animal that would be found in any large zoo. A text conversation with Avery just the previous evening had Jace excited for his boy to see the room.Giraffes.Jace was surprised to find out that giraffes were a favorite of Avery’s but very pleased. He’d even gone online and ordered more stuffed giraffe toys for his boy.

The bed, changing table, bookcase, and toys were all ready for someone to spend hours playing with and using. Jace was anxious to get his boy home. And that thought reminded him that he needed to contact Avery before it got too late.

His twelve-hour workday wasn’t normal for him but he’d had to pick up the slack from where his father had made a mess out of an important account. Jace couldn’t think about his father though or he’d just get aggravated. Instead he headed toward the kitchen as he pulled out his phone.

Hello, baby boy. How was your day?

Jace had to wait longer than expected for a response. He had a beer in his hand and sitting on the couch before his phone dinged.

OK. How was yours?

Jace didn’t believe Avery’s words. For some reason he could just feel that Avery’s day hadn’t been okay. Maybe he was reading too much into their previous conversations, but it was a feeling nagging at him.My day was long but better now that I get to talk with you.Jacewould be honest and hope that soon Avery would trust Jace with his secrets.

Several moments went by without an answer. Jace just leaned back into the leather couch and waited. He wouldn’t push his boy…too much. Finally, thedinghe expected.

I’m glad you texted me

What a sweet boy. It wasn’t easy for Avery to share his feelings. He deserved a reward. If he was with Jace, Jace would cuddle him close.I missed you very much today. I am excited about dinner tomorrow night.

Me too.

A good admission from his boy.Does tomorrow night still work for you? I was thinking about seven o’clock.

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