Page 56 of Baby Boy

Now what was he going to do?

He bit his lip as he put in the drinks order. As tired as he was, Avery didn’t think he’d be able avoid the conversation he really didn’t want to have. He passed by the kitchen and checked on his order, which was just coming up.

Avery didn’t let his mind wander as he dropped off food, cashed his other table out, and walked to the bar to get the drinks for Jace and Mitch. As he walked back to Jace, he heard his Daddy teasing Mitch about a new Daddy being in town.

Mitch was scowling at Jace, and Avery wanted to laugh. It seemed like Mitch was interested in someone new and Jace was teasing him. He slowed down to watch them a little longer. He didn’t get to see his Daddy in his environment very often. Normally Jace was taking care of him. This was the first time he’d seen Jace with his friends. Even at the coffee shop, Jace had always been alone.

Jace looked up from teasing Mitch and smiled so sweetly at Avery that Avery’s heart filled. He never should have had that first thought about Jace bringing a date. He felt bad for that, and needed to show Jace how much he trusted him. Which meant that Avery was going to have to show him where he lived. It might not be as bad as Avery was thinking. Jace had to understand that Avery was a struggling student—it was why he worked so much, and all he could afford was a shitty studio.

He picked up the pace to pass out the drinks.

“Thank you, boy,” Jace said.

Avery beamed. “You’re welcome. Do you need anything else?”

“No. While we drink these, why don’t you check on your other table and do what you need to get out of here?”

“Yes, sir!” Avery hurried away. He quickly did as he was told and thirty minutes later, they were walking out of the front door. Jace and Mitch had only had one drink as they waited on him. But they’d seemed to be talking the whole time and neither seemed to mind waiting.

Avery felt better than he had all day as Jace walked with his arm around his shoulder. They walked Mitch to his BMW before Jace ushered Avery to his SUV.

“My home or yours?” Jace asked after he’d buckled Avery in.

“I can come to your house?” Avery asked with excitement. It wasn’t just not having to show Jace where he lived that had Avery perking up. He slept so much better at Jace’s house whether he was in the nursery or Jace’s bed.

“If you want,” Jace told him. “Or I can drop you off at your apartment.”

Avery had his backpack with his lily and a change of clothes so he was good to go. “I have to work at the coffee shop in the morning,” he said sadly. He’d love nothing more than to spend the morning with Jace, but he’d promised to be open the coffee shop. “Damn it.”

“Language, boy,” Jace admonished. “And I don’t mind dropping you off in the morning. It’s on my way to work anyway.”

Avery’s eyes filled. He gazed at his Daddy. “Thank you.”

Jace leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “You never have to thank me for taking care of you.”

Avery nodded but sniffled. He could let go now that he was with Jace. It felt like he’d been acting like an adult for so long now. Acting, because Avery knew that his little side was more natural. And he was okay with that.

“This is what is going to happen,” Jace told him. “I’m going to take you home. We’re going to get you a quick bath and then you’re going to sleep in my bed.”

“Yes, please,” Avery whispered.

“In the morning, I’m going to make you a good breakfast before I get you ready for your day.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Jace reached down and unzipped the pocket with Avery’s lily. Once Avery had his lily in his hand, he popped his thumb into his mouth.

“So precious,” Jace murmured.

Avery got another kiss on his temple, then Jace gently shut the door. Avery leaned his head against the window and sighed. Once again, Jace had saved his night by being so wonderful to him.

Jace climbed in the driver side and Avery smiled when the first thing Jace did was run his hand down Avery’s arm.

“Thank you for coming to see me tonight,” Avery mumbled around his thumb.

“Always,” Jace said. “I know you feel like you have to work all these crazy hours, but we need to do something about your schedule.”

Avery popped his thumb out of his mouth so he could talk to Jace. “It’s not usually this bad but everyone has the flu! Everyone!”

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