Page 40 of Truck Me Daddy

‘In some ways, us being busy makes our time together more special,’ Mikey says, dreamily turning his head and looking into my eyes. ‘I should have realized that before I sent that silly text.’

‘Hey,’ I say, sternly. ‘I said you need to let go of that text. We all say and do things that we regret from time to time. But the secret is letting go of it all and moving on with your life.’

Mikey looks at me and I can see that he’s trying to figure something out.

‘You’re talking about yourself too, aren’t you?’ Mikey says. ‘Come on, Daddy, share with me too…’

I feel myself momentarily clam up.

It’s not that I don’t want to share with Mikey, but I’m not used to having a boy to talk to like this.

But I battle through my fears and begin to talk. I explain the situation regarding my uncle’s wife passing away and how he invited me to the memorial service in her honor.

I also explain to Mikey how this has brought up old feelings of being estranged from my family and never truly fitting in with them.

‘It’s totally valid to feel like that,’ Mikey says, his chest rising and falling as he speaks. ‘But I think you’ve got me as your family now. And your Daddy friends. You can go to the service and honor your aunt. And if things don’t go well with your wider family, then that’s on them. You know that you’ll be driving home to me, and Reece and Ranger too. I think you should do this.’

I smile and kiss Mikey on his lips.

The boy is right, and I know he is.

‘You’re pretty damn wise for a boy,’ I say. ‘I’m going to go. But there’s something else I need to say to you.’

‘Okay?’ Mikey says, an air of apprehension in his voice as if he’s fearing more family drama being brought up.

‘It’s milkies time!’ I laugh, reaching down to the floor and picking up a bottle of warm milk that I had prepared as Mikey dozed in the hammock. ‘And I think after his first surf lesson, my baby boy needs the full bottle too.’

‘I think I do too,’ Mikey says, his voice already regressing a fraction as I bring the milk bottle up and gently place it on his lips. ‘I want my milkie…’

I smile with pride and love as Mikey begins to suckle on the plastic teat and glug the milk down.

I’ve got a big boy, and he needs his milk more than most.

‘That’s it, not too fast,’ I caution. ‘Take it a bit slower and let those beautiful eyes slowly close. That’s it. Just like that.’

Slowly but surely, Mikey drinks down the entire bottle.

And just as he takes his final gulp, I sense Mikey’s body relaxing and his eyes shutting tighter.

‘My boy’s asleep,’ I whisper, tenderly running my hand through his hair. ‘I love you, Mikey. You’re my perfect baby boy, and I’ll be here for you today, tomorrow, and forever.’

With that, I put the milk bottle back down on the floor and gradually let myself drift off to sleep as well.

It’s been an emotional day, and a fun one too – and I think tomorrow might be even better…

Chapter 15

Mikey

It’s been a wild ride between me and Trent, a man who I now proudly call my Forever Daddy.

From our first meeting in the diner, to Daddy driving all the way back to that very same location – I know just how lucky I am to have Trent in my life.

It might still be early in our relationship, but I feel confident that we’ve got what it takes to build something that will last for a very long time.

Speaking of which, it’s completion day down at the Los Torros Tornados training complex, and I’m super-proud to have played a part in building this incredible facility.

‘Hey, Xander, this place looks wicked cool,’ I say, walking over to Xander and Lane with a big smile on my face.

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