Page 33 of Lost Little Boy
Our burgers came, and we sat back on our sides of the booth as the server spread the food. With a nod, we dug in. The food was so much better with Perry sittingacross from me.
“Mr. Grassley, it’s good to see you.” Otis, the bouncer, gave me a big grin. He was about six feet seven, and the man was nothing but muscle.
“Thank you, Otis. It’s good to see you as well. This is my boy, Perry. May I have a red bracelet, please?”
Perry glanced at me. “A red bracelet?”
Otis took out a red bracelet from the drawer at the door and handed it to me. I slid it onto Perry’s wrist and tightened it a bit before we went in through the front doors.
“It shows your taken. I should have given you a choice. I’m sorry. Are you okay with me claiming you as my boy publicly?” My gut clinched as I waited for his answer.
Perry held out his wrist and spun the red plastic band. “I’d be more than happy for you to claim me, Daddy. Do you need to wear a bracelet too?”
I turned to Otis. “May I have a black bracelet?” Black signified a Daddy was taken. I’d waited a long time to wear that damn bracelet.
Otis grinned. “Congratulations, Mr. Grassley. Enjoy your night.” I nodded and took Perry’s hand to lead him into the club.
Instead of heading to The Playground, I took him into the bar across from the lobby. “What can I get you to drink, baby?”
“Uh, whatever you’re having, Daddy.”
I kissed his temple before I helped him into the seat next to where Ossie was sitting with his computer, playing video poker. “Who’s your friend, Wex?”
I turned to Ossie and grinned. “This is Perry.Congratulations on your new club. I got the invitation to the party, but Ican’t commit to attending yet. We’ve got other irons in the fire, but as soonas I know, I’ll reach out.”
Ossie laughed. “They’ll make you do shit you didn’t know you’d do, won’t they?”
“I never knew the answer to that until now, but yes. Anything.”
“Welcome to the dick-whipped club, Wex.” Ossie lifted his glass and touched mine before he turned to Perry and smiled. “I’m so glad to meet you, Perry.”
Perry took his hand and shook it, though I could see he wasn’t sure what to do. I stepped closer to Perry and wrapped my arm around him. “Ossie and I have been friends for a while.” I turned to Ossie. “Where’s Carmine?”
Ossie chuckled. “He’s in the office. Let me tell him you’re here.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a message.
A few minutes later, Carmine came into the bar with a big grin that usually meant he was feeling cocky and up to mischief. “It’s good to see you, Wex. Who’s your friend?”
I stood and put my hand on Perry’s back. “Carmine Leone, this is my boyfriend, Perry Castle. Perry, sweet boy, this is Ossie’s husband.”
Carmine stepped forward and hugged Perry, which surprised me. “I’m so glad to meet you. We’ve been waiting for Wex to find a boy for a few years. Can I show you around?”
Perry turned to me with a smile, signaling he was up for it. “Please, Carmine, if you don’t mind. I’ll wait here,” I said.
I pulled Perry into my arms and gave him a quick kiss. “You’ll be okay?”
Carmine laughed. “Shame on you if you think I’m going to lead him astray.”
Ossie popped him on the ass before he kissed him. “Be nice. Perry is Wex’s boy. Just do a quick tour.”
“Of course, Daddy.”
Carmine picked up Perry’s drink and handed it to him. “I can’t wait to show you what we’ve done.”
The two of them left us, and Ossie turned to me. “He’s adorable. Where’d you find him?”
“You won’t believe this. He saved my damn life.”
I told Ossie the story of being mugged behind the office in Arlington, and how I’d come to know Perry. He grinned and nodded as I skimmed the details, and when I got to thepart where Perry asked me to attend Pride Camp with him in Luray, Ossie laughed.
