Page 12 of His Middle

“Right. So that’s one of your personal challenges, something to work on.” He pressed his lips together before continuing. “Something a good, sincere Daddy would’ve discovered during the time he got to know his boy and would’ve counseled you on, or perhaps asked your permission to actively work on helping you overcome.”

Noah stared at him with mouth agape. “Wow. Garth doesn’t come close to that. Not even in the same stratosphere as that.”

Sawyer worked to mask his frustration. “I don’t want you to take this wrong, Noah. But how can you be so shocked about the basic tenets of a healthy Daddy/boy relationship when you’ve been raised in the lifestyle? That’s not a judgment, I honestly want to know. I’d like to help you live your best life.”

Sawyer snapped his jaw shut.Go overboard much?He hadn’t been in Noah’s presence for more than an hour—both days combined—and he was already acting as if Noah belonged to him. Maybe coming to Noah’s aid had been a mistake.

Sawyer rubbed his forehead.Not true. Oliver might not want Sawyer to claim his son, but he wouldn’t want Noah to be mistreated or heartbroken. It might kill him to keep his hands to himself, but he owed it to Oliver to not only honor his promise, but to make sure Noah was protected.

“Man, you’re so awesome.” Noah’s cheeks flushed and he averted his gaze. “I mean, I’ve always known that. Obviously, my dad was best friends with you for a reason.”

Sawyer took a couple beats to carefully choose his next words. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” He smiled. “I’ll be sure and try to live up to your expectations while I’m here helping you with the club.”

Noah’s eyes snapped up. “Right. The club.”

A loud banging on the side entrance broke the tension of the moment, and Sawyer jumped from the chair. “Sounds like breakfast is here. I’ll go grab it.”

Sawyer quickly made his way down the hall, his heart thudding. The resolve he’d made of keeping himself in check around Noah was crumbling. The fact that Noah kept not-so-subtly making his interest known was agonizing. And now, the one shield Sawyer had thought he could count on—that Noah was already taken—was about to be destroyed.

How much longer would he be able to resist Noah? Perhaps he should simply focus on finding Noah a capable, trustworthy manager then get the hell out San Francisco for good.

Problem was, it crushed his heart to even contemplate such a move.

Chapter Five

Noah crumpled up the wrapping and disposable plate from his breakfast then grabbed the paper delivery bag to toss it inside. The conversation while they’d eaten had remained on safer topics than Noah’s personal issues, with Sawyer steering the subject to mundane matters such as overall club square footage and rating each employee from one to five.

Noah had clearly stepped in it by talking about Garth and his own challenges as a submissive. Why had he overshared? And what was he thinking anyway? Sawyer had made it clear this was a temporary stop on his way to who knew what. Not only that, but Noah didn’t have time to get into a new relationship—not with all the shit he was dealing with.

No, focusing on getting Club Playpen on track then getting the rest of his life back in order was all that mattered right now. Although, dumping Garth definitely qualified when it came to dealing with his life. The guy was like a barnacle on the hull of a boat. Eventually, he’d eat away at Noah until he was nothing but scrap metal.

Sawyer shoved the wrapping of his own meal into the bag as well, then wiped off his hands with a napkin.

“Excellent suggestion. I’d eat there again.”

Noah stuffed down the excited thought at the hint Sawyer would still be around for a while.

The torture was real.

“Awesome. I’m glad you liked it.” He gave Sawyer his very best nothing-is-bumming-me-out smile.

Sawyer checked his watch—the fancy sports one Noah had been coveting since he’d first noticed it.

“It’s a little after ten. When do the first employees show up?”

“Tuesday through Saturday it’s Dirk, Arlen and Marcus, our cook. Then at noon when we open, the cook’s assistant, a server, and the dungeon master-slash-security guy comes in. That’s the full-time staff, and they’re here until eight. The second shift is part-time, and they start at six when things really pick up, then they’re responsible for closing at midnight. We can usually get everything done and be out of here by one. Also, some of the part-time staff covers Sundays when the other guys are off. We’re closed on Mondays.”

Noah drew his eyebrows together as he wracked his brain for anything he might’ve missed. “Oh! And if we have a special event or party, we bring in extra staff as well. And…” He scrunched up his nose. “A cleaning crew. And vendors, but I guess that doesn’t really count as staff.”

The all too familiar panic of having to stay on top of the endless turning cogs of the business machine set in.

“Great job. I’m impressed.”

Noah arched his eyebrows. “What’d I do?”

Sawyer chuckled. “Answered my question with clear knowledge. You have a strong grasp of the schedule and what staff is needed to make sure you’re covered. That’s basic operations right there and now I know you’re working with a solid foundation.” Sawyer rose. “I have a feeling you’ve been so busy beating yourself up that you can’t see how much of the business you actually understand.” He gestured to the doorway. “Come on. Let’s take a look around before staff begins arriving.”

Noah found himself in a sort of stunned silence as he followed Sawyer out of the office. He couldn’t believe Sawyer had complimented him like that.

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