Page 34 of Asher's Answer
My heart speeds up and I put two and two together. “Where’s Charlie?”
Josh’s expression shutters and Iknow. It’s bad news. It’s bad news, and it’s about Charlie.
“Josh…” My mouth is dry, and I can barely get the question out. “What happened?Where’s Charlie?” This time I sound more demanding. Panicked, even.
While Josh starts to explain that Charlie and Max were responding to a call, I’m barely aware of Ted moving closer to me. When Josh tells me that Charlie was shot -twice- in a case of bad timing, I feel like I’m having an out of body experience.
“No…” I say and shake my head, refusing to believe the man in front of me. “No, it wasn’t Charlie. I saw Charlie this morning. He…he…” He’d given me a very quick blowjob because he was still riding the high from the weekend, still calling me his ‘big, brave boy’ and thanking me for being everything he’s ever wanted in a little and a lover. For trusting him.
After returning the favor, I’d snuggled back into the pillows and gone back to sleep as he left for the early shift. I hadn’t even told him that I loved him.
“He’s in surgery,” Josh says. He squeezes my thigh in what I assume is meant to be a reassuring gesture. “Mom and Dad are there. So are Maisy and Axel.”
I haven’t met any of Charlie’s family yet. Not outside of Josh. Is that weird? We’ve been together for over six months now, and I’ve only met his friends from the kink community.
Oh, God, did he never want me to meet them? Has he even told them about me?
That makes my chest squeeze harder.
Am I that embarrassing?
Does he not feel the same way about this relationship as I do?
Because even if the world finds out that I’m his boy and he’s my Daddy, as long as I have him it’s okay. It’s okay because he’s worth the uncomfortable conversations. He’s worth the momentary sting of judgement from people who don’t get it but whose opinions ultimately don’t matter. He’s worth everything to me.
“I…did you want me to stay away?” My voice breaks as I ask the question, but if Charlie hasn’t told his family about me, it would make sense not to be there.
“What?” Josh frowns, and he almost sounds insulted. He pushes back to his feet, staring down at me incredulously. “Why?”
I want to try and explain the jumble of concerns in my head, but the tears are starting to flow. I’m scared for Charlie, and confused about his family, and can feel the anxiety building as my chest squeezes.
“Okay, kiddo, breathe,” Ted soothes, pulling me up from the chair and into his hug. He’s not Charlie, but I’ve spent enough time with him now that I’m comfortable with him when Daddy can’t be there. Over the top of my head, he asks Josh, “Has Ash met any of your family?”
I sniffle and answer before Josh can. “No.”
Josh groans. “And you think, what? You’re Charlie’s dirty little secret?” He sounds derisive and mean, like I’m an idiot for jumping to that conclusion.
I flinch.
“Josh,” Ted snaps and I press my face into his shoulder while I try to get my tears back under control. “I know you’re stressed, but don’t take it out on Ash.”
There’s a moment of silence before Josh sighs. “Sorry. I’m just…” he makes a frustrated sound. “Ash, Charlie loves you.Of coursehe’s told Mom and Dad about you. And Maisy and Axel, too. But…our family isa lot, and he wanted to make sure you were comfortable before he unleashed them all on you.” Then he chuckles a little. “I’m honestly surprised Mom hasn’t just turned up on your doorstep yet.”
“Really?” I look up and turn to face him, wanting to be sure he’s not just giving me lip service.
He nods. “And, look, they don’t know about the whole daddy/boy BDSM thing, but that’s partially because Charlie’s never had anyone he’s been serious enough with to explain it to them. Neither have I, for that matter.”
“Oh.” I think that through for a moment. It’s not surprising. Not many people would want their parents knowing about their sex lives, vanilla or otherwise. “That’s understandable,” I finally respond properly. “I can stay big. That’s easy to do, especially around strangers.”
Josh cocks an eyebrow at me. “How’d we meet again?”
I can’t help snorting. “Those were extenuating circumstances.”
“Yeah,” his face falls, the amusement fading as quickly as it appeared, “but so are these.”
He’s got a point. Can I hold it together and not drop into little space in front of his parents?
“It’s not going to matter if you slip,” he tells me, as though he’s read my mind. “Charlie loves you and they’re gonna love you.”
