Page 44 of My Young Rebel Daddy

I can see that this is a big deal for Taylor right now, so I’m not about to rush him.

Taylor’s a big guy with the kind of lean, muscular body that marks him out as one of life’s tough guys. His closely cropped sand-colored hair and piercing green eyes add to the look, that’s for sure.

In fact, he looks every inch the Daddy.

Except…

‘I need to tell you something, bro,’ Taylor says. ‘We’re close right?’

‘Sure are,’ I reply, bumping my beer glass onto his. ‘You can tell me anything. I’ve got your back, and that’s for life.’

‘Here’s the thing,’ Taylor says, a slight faltering note in his voice. ‘I don’t think I’m a Daddy. I think… I think I’m a boy.’

‘Damn, brother. Okay, that’s big news,’ I say, smiling and nodding my head. ‘But that’s totally freakin’ cool. Makes no difference to me, you’re still one hell of a worker and an even better friend.’

‘Hell yeah,’ Taylor replies, a look of relief and joy on his face. ‘I might be a big unit and tough as hell, but I couldn’t deny who I really was for any longer. You know?’

‘I love it,’ I reply. ‘We’ve all got to be real to who we are. Right?’

I’m so happy to see that Taylor looks so relieved and contented now that he’s got that off his chest.

I wouldn’t have figured it for a million years, but I guess looking back there were signs from time to time – I don’t know that many Daddies who pack a juice box in their lunch, for example!

But I sense that Taylor’s got more to say.

And after keeping his Little secret to himself, I want to make sure that he gets everything off his chest while he’s here…

‘Keep talking bro,’ I say, giving Taylor a knowing look. ‘I know there’s more to come. Tell me where I’m telling lies.’

‘Ha! No, you’re right,’ Taylor says, smiling. ‘When I was discovering who I was, I found a construction company down the coast. They’re called Blue Collar Boys. Guys like me. Big and tough but looking for a Daddy to meet the other side of their personality.’

‘Awwshit,’ I say. ‘Tell me I’m not losing my number one guy?’

‘Yup, sorry,’ Taylor says. ‘But I’ll still come and visit.’

‘You’d fucking better!’ I roar, bringing Taylor in for such a big bear hug that we both end up spilling what’s left of our beers. ‘But you leave with my total approval, I want you to know that. And you’ll always be welcome back on my crew in the future.’

‘Thanks, it means a lot,’ Taylor replies, a tear in his eye. ‘Now how about we do some piñata before the boys get to them all first?’

‘That’s my guy!’ I roar. ‘Everyone! It’s piñata time!’

With the music blaring and the whole gang present, this is a day that I’ll always remember for the rest of my life.

I’m so happy for Taylor – seriously, I know it must have taken a lot for him to say that to me.

And I feel proud that Taylor felt like he could trust me with that double-whammy of news too.

Taylor will find his Daddy one day soon, he’s too great of an all-round guy not to.

But in the meantime, it’s all about living for the moment.

And if I don’t get moving, I might be the only one to miss out on taking a swipe at one of these piñatas at least!

‘Okay, I admit it,’ I say, reclining in the big outdoor swing-seat alongside Nick. ‘The piñatas were fun. Likeseriouslygood fun.’

‘And the balloons?’ Nick giggles, sniggling up to me as we listen to the sound of the ocean in the distance. ‘Not too much pink?’

‘Grrrrr, don’t push it,’ I reply, laughing. ‘But seriously, it was perfect. I think we’re going to love living here.’

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