Page 1 of First Class Feelings

CHAPTER 1

Foster

This is a horrible idea.

I know it.

My friends know it.

Yet here we are, about to watch me make another decision that would likely lead me down a dark path.

“Don’t overthink it,” Zion says as he pats me on the back.

Richie steps up next, my boarding pass in his hand. “It’ll be good for you. We’ve all agreed that a break is the best option for you. Therapy isn’t going to fix this, Foss.”

His nickname for me settles over the rush of anxiety I feel at what’s coming. While I want the chance to get away for a bit, I already know the work I’d be returning to would make me regret taking the next week off for this impromptu vacation.

The guys are right though. I did need this. It was long overdue.

“You sure it’s not weird that some old guy is going on a vacation alone like this? Shouldn’t I be at the country club or something instead? Maybe on a senior’s cruise?”

Three sets of eyes roll at my questions. Though only three of us are Littles, we all had a touch of sass in us.

Lief smacks my shoulder, then slings his arm over me. He’s the youngest in our group, a good seven years younger than me and the guys. We’d brought him into our fold when he’d moved to Bellport, and as they say, the rest is history.

“You’ve got this, man. No need to stress. If you get nervous, we’re all just a text away. Think of it as mandatory rejuvenation. Even Dr. Soto said it was a good idea. Remember?”

I scoff. “Of course I remember. I’m the one who pays his copay and sits through sessions every other week.”

My issues with anxiety are definitely keeping him in practice. The good doctor sees me regularly, with bonus sessions thrown in when life gets to be particularly too much.

“Then everything’s going to be fine. Besides, you have enough money to come back if you really want to,” Lief adds as an afterthought.

Zion whines and stomps his foot. “Do not tell him that. He’ll be scheduling a return flight while on the plane there.” He turns to face me with an intense look and a finger pointed my way. “You are going to go to Mexico. You’re going to sit on a beach. You’re going to sip cocktails and get a tan.”

“And maybe even find a hot Daddy.” Richie whispers the last suggestion loud enough for the three of us to hear him.

He’s the shyest of us all. Ironic given his marketing company, and he’s known to be a coldhearted dictator of a boss.

No one knows the truth though. By day, he’s a bull in the boardroom going by the name of Robert. At night, and on the occasional weekend we all make it to the club, he turns into sweet Little Richie.

Shaking my head, I push away all their suggestions. There’s a small chance any of those things will happen. First of all, I burn when in the sun for too long. Tanning isn’t an option. Then there’s the fact that I don’t drink alcohol at all.

As for getting a Daddy on this trip — it’s not even remotely possible. The all-inclusive resort I’m going to is for adults only, though it doesn’t mention anything about kink. I know because I thoroughly searched their website.

Richie might argue it’s possible anyway. I’d rather live in the real world. If I hadn’t found a Daddy in Bellport’s premier kink environment, then it was likely I wasn’t going to get one. No matter how badly I wanted one, I could only do so much to find the man of my dreams.

With a sigh, I take the boarding pass that was still extended my way. “Thanks, guys. I promise to do my best to relax. Please keep your phones on in case I need an emergency Little session.”

They nod, then take turns hugging me. Tears fill my eyes. I want to go on my trip. Really, I do. It’s just so big and scary, what with the plane ride and being surrounded by strangers. I cling a bit tighter to the strap to remind myself that my favorite teddy is in there as I wave goodbye and take off for the gate.

Two smiling women greet me, then go about ushering me past after verifying my details. I make my way onto the plane,ignoring all the people around me as I settle into a first-class seat. There was no question of whether or not I’d be in business first class or economy. My need for space and the big possibility I’d fall asleep holding my teddy bear were enough to warrant the extra expense.

Business is going well too. I have more than enough money to cover the costs associated with this trip, despite it being unplanned.

I close my eyes as the rest of the passengers board the plane. No need to ramp up my anxiety by having awkward eye contact with each of them. It always works out better for me if I make sure to avoid any triggers as much as possible.

Granted, I have loads of things that make me anxious, so there’s no way to avoid them all. I just make do with what I can manage.

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