Page 77 of Pretty Baby

“Sit still and behave,” Grant ordered. “It takes as long as it takes.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Caleb huffed and leaned toward the window. It was early Friday afternoon so there wasn’t a whole lot of people on the street but he still enjoyed the sight.

Across from them was a craft store and two elderly ladies were walking out with their arms full of bags. Caleb wondered if they were picking up things to make for their grandkids or something.

He hadn’t ever met his own grandparents. His mom was the only family he knew. She had to come from somewhere but that didn’t mean that they’d want to meet Caleb or would even be nice people.

No, it was better that Caleb chose the people he’d surround himself with. Like Grant and his friends. Caleb wanted Avery and Mitch to like him so much.

He rubbed his tummy and the familiar stress and worry that had been so absent tried to make a reappearance.

He’d even gotten to talk to Avery on the phone once and the boy seemed excited to have Caleb over. They were cooking out in the back yard and Avery said he had a brand new sandbox. That sounded like fun.

Caleb frowned when he spotted an attractive man standing across the street. He wore dark sunglasses but it appeared like he was looking toward the diner. He looked sort of familiar.

Since he didn’t know many people in town Caleb tried to remember where he’d seen the man before.

The loud ringing of a phone jerked him from his thoughts.

Grant frowned as he pulled Caleb’s phone from his pocket.

Caleb’s mom hadn’t called back since that last time and Caleb hoped it wasn’t her. He didn’t want their day ruined and his mom ruined everything. No one else really called him though.

Grant shook his head and shrugged before he answered. “Hello?” Pause as he listened. “Who’s calling?” Pause. “Hold on please.” Grant lowered the phone before wrapping his hand around it. “Your manager?”

Caleb felt his eyes grow but nodded.

Grant handed over the phone.

“Hello?” Caleb kept his gaze on Grant as his Daddy offered his hand to be held. Caleb grasped it although he didn’t have bad conversations with his manager. The guy wasn’t bad.

“Hey, Caleb, who was that?”

“Hey,” Caleb ignored the question. “What’s up? I’m out to lunch and the food is about to arrive. I can’t talk long.”

Grant squeezed his hand in approval and Caleb grinned.

“Okay, no problem. I wanted to let you know that I emailed over the itinerary.”

“Itinerary?” Caleb repeated. Oh, Holy Shit!

“Yeah, everything is there as well as your first-class ticket. You should be there for about ten days but if you remember from the contract it can be as long as fourteen.”

“Fourteen,” Caleb repeated. “I forgot!” He glanced up at Grant in horror.

Grant was frowning and reached for the phone.

Caleb shook his head. He didn’t need Grant to take over. This was his mistake. He’d let himself get talked into a quick job. It was right after he’d met Grant and hadn’t expected they’d still be together or the way their relationship would develop.

“It’s a good thing I called then,” his manager laughed. “Anyway take a look at it and let me know if there is anything else you need.”

“Okay. Yeah. I can do that.” Caleb hung up the phone and pushed it back into Grant’s hand. He wrapped his arms around his middle and rocked. Oh, this was going to be bad. So Bad.

“Baby?” Grant slid into the booth next to him and held him close. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I forgot!”

“Shh,” Grant soothed. “It’s okay. Whatever it is will be okay. Daddy is here.”

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