Page 3 of Pretty Baby

He visited with Jace as he kept a close eye on Caleb. Caleb was watching as Mitch and Avery colored together. He didn’t wiggle or seem uncomfortable he just watched the other boys.

Avery reached into the container and grabbed a cookie. He shoved the cookie into his mouth before grabbing another. This time he handed it to Mitch. Mitch grinned before eating his snack.

As Avery leaned up and whispered in Jace’s ear Jace glanced at him then Caleb. Not sure what Jace’s boy was up to Grant watched him closely. He already felt protective over Caleb. Jace nodded to Avery but the expression on his face was cautious.

Avery picked up a couple of cookies then reached out across the table offering them to Caleb.

Caleb tensed as he stared at Avery’s hand.

“Do you want a cookie?” Avery asked when Caleb didn’t reach for them. “They’re really good. My Daddy helped me make them.”

“Um,” Caleb licked his lips as his gaze darted between Avery and Jace.

“It’s okay,” Grant encouraged. “You can have them.”

Caleb reached out and took the cookies carefully from Avery’s hand without ever touching the boy. “Thank you,” Caleb said softly.

Avery grinned. “I’m Avery, do you know Mitch? And my Daddy Jace?”

Mitch snorted and muttered something too low for Grant to hear. Grant glared at his friend. Avery didn’t seem to notice as he kept his attention on Caleb.

“Ye…yeah.” Caleb blushed, probably thinking about all the times he’d tried to get Jace to fuck him. Jace had never taken Caleb up on his offer and now Grant was glad. He wanted Caleb all to himself. “I’m Caleb.”

“Hi Caleb,” Avery said. “Are you a boy?” He slapped a hand over his mouth and turned to Jace. “Daddy, do I… can I ask that?” Then before Jace could answer or assure his boy Avery spoke to Caleb. “I’m sorry. It’s my first time in the club.”

Caleb had been nibbling on his cookie but at Avery’s distress, he leaned forward. “It’s okay, you can ask me that. And yes, I’m a boy.”

“Are you a little, like me?” Avery whisper shouted in excitement.

Mitch chuckled quietly while shaking his head in amusement.

Caleb shook his head and looked sad. “No, ‘fraid not.”

“That’s okay.” Avery shrugged his shoulder. “Mitch isn’t a little either. But he’s still my friend.” Avery peeked up at Caleb through his lashes. “Do you want to be my friend too? I don’t have very many but Daddy said I could find friends here.”

Caleb looked up at Grant but Grant wasn’t certain what to say. Avery reaching out was a big deal but if Caleb wasn’t ready Grant wouldn’t push him. Instead of answering verbally Grant tightened the arm holding Caleb giving him his support. Grant was surprised when Caleb reached out and patted Avery’s hand.

“I don’t have any friends,” Caleb murmured to Avery. “But I think I’d like to be yours.” He sounded so sad that Grant couldn’t resist kissing the top of his head.

“Great!” Avery bounced. How many damn cookies had the boy had? “Do you want to color? I brought books and crayons!”

“Uh, Okay, sure.” Caleb shrugged.

“Daddy! Daddy! Books!” Avery tugged on Jace’s arm.

“Calm down boy,” Jace scolded. “I’ll get them.” He dug in the diaper bag and brought out three more coloring books.

“Look!” Avery shoved the books in Caleb’s direction. “I have a zoo one or superheroes, and… and…” Avery ducked his head. “A princess one. But it doesn’t only have princesses. It has princes and animals too.” He was biting his lip as he whispered. “I like the movies.”

Caleb hadn’t taken his eyes off the princess coloring book. As soon as he’d seen it he’d started to vibrate.

“Can I color the superhero one?” Caleb asked surprising him. Grant thought for sure that Caleb would pick the princess book. Even Jace frowned as Avery handed over the superhero coloring book.

“Are you sure that’s the one you want?” Grant questioned. He was certain that Caleb really desired the princess book. But he couldn’t figure out why Caleb wouldn’t pick it.

“I’m sure,” Caleb replied sharply.

Yeah, there was something going on with the boy that Grant needed to figure out. Instead of calling Caleb out he let it go, for the moment. Caleb began to color while still on Grant’s lap.

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