Page 63 of Pretty Baby

Caleb

Caleb rolled over in bed and reached out for Grant but the other side of the bed was empty and cold. He lifted his head and peered around. His bedroom door was open and he could hear the television in the living room so he didn’t think Grant had left.

No Grant wouldn’t leave when he’d promised to be there when Caleb woke. Grant didn’t break his promises. That was Caleb.

He lifted his head and peeked at the clock on the nightstand next to his bed. It was after ten in the morning. Grant never let him sleep that late. Grant must still be furious.

As much as Caleb wanted nothing more than to bury his head under the blanket he owed it to Grant to get up and face him like a man. He rolled out of bed and stopped in the bathroom. After going to the bathroom, washing his hands, and brushing his teeth Caleb considered dressing but decided against it.

It felt good wearing Grant’s shirt. He didn’t know if Grant would end things between them and he wanted to keep something of Grant’s close to him. He shuffled his feet down the hall until he came to the doorway leading into the living room.

Grant was sitting on the couch with a coffee in one hand while scrolling through the tablet on his lap with his free hand. He was dressed casually in a pair of faded jeans and a t-shirt.

“Go ahead and come in here,” Grant called without lifting his head.

Caleb sighed. It was time to face the music. He stepped into the room and noticed how many décor pieces that were missing. Grant must have cleaned up the broken pieces and thrown everything away.

He flushed with shame. Grant shouldn’t have had to clean up the mess.

“Don’t dawdle,” Grant said. “Come sit down beside me.”

Caleb hurried and walked around the coffee table to sit on the opposite side of the couch from Grant.

“Would you like something to drink? Juice?”

Caleb shook his head. He wasn’t sure if he was allowed to talk yet.

Grant took a big drink of his coffee before he set the mug on the side table. He then picked up the remote and muted the news channel. When he turned his attention to Caleb there was no anger in his gaze.

Caleb didn’t want to feel hopeful but he couldn’t help it.

“Good morning pretty baby.”

Caleb blinked before clearing his throat. “Gooo…good morning… Daddy?”

Grant nodded. “Did you sleep okay? How do you feel?”

“I feel fine,” he shrugged.

“No headache? Stomach ache?”

“No.”

“Okay.” Grant spread his arm over the back of the couch. “Then get over here and give me my morning kiss.”

Surprised, happy, and cautious he climbed up to his knees until he was beside Grant. He leaned forward and gave Grant a soft kiss against his lips.

“Thank you,” Grant said before he patted his lap. “Now cuddle up so we can talk.”

Caleb sighed but moved to sit with Grant. Grant moved him until his back was against the arm of the couch and his legs were stretched out over the length. When Grant laid his palm against Caleb’s knee Caleb relaxed a little.

“We have several things to discuss this morning,” Grant said.

Caleb nodded.

“First, you understand that nothing you say or do is going to send me away, don’t you? Unless you use your safe word and end our relationship, I’m not going anywhere.”

This wasn’t how he thought they’d start. “You can’t promise that,” Caleb replied quietly. He didn’t want to argue but there were some truths that they needed to face.

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