Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“That’s so awesome!” Abel’s eyes lit up. “Our community is super small, but they’re fun.”
Well, I was excited.
Colt and Madigan stepped out on the patio shortly after, and Colt held up his phone.
“They posted the scores from the game, baby. We finished in third place.”
“Fuckin’ A,” Abel exclaimed.
“That’s good, right?” I asked, hopeful.
Daddy grinned. “Nine couples participating and it was your first event? Third place is fuckin’ fantastic.”
I matched his grin with one of my own and let myself feel a little proud.
“All right.” Madigan clapped his hands together. “Last barbecue to celebrate our bronze medalists?”
“Let’s fire up the grill,” Colt said with a nod.
* * *
Saying goodbye to Abel and Madigan the next morning was rough. We all saw them off at the airport, and I hugged them both and very politely made Madigan promise that Abel and I could visit each other more often. And he promised! So did my Daddies.
Thankfully, Abel and I still had our FaceTime calls.
Lucas rode in the back seat with me on the way back to Georgetown, and I could admit that maybe I cranked up the sadness a tiny bit to resume my quest of turning them into Georgetown residents too.
“Can you believe summer is almost over?” I pouted to myself and stared down at my lap.
“It’s July,” Lucas answered.
“Yeah, and in a few weeks, your condo will be ready, and I’ll be all alone again.” I sniffled for effect and looked out the window. “Maybe you’ll forget me.”
“Jesus Christ,” Colt muttered. “Layin’ it on a bit thick there, don’t you think?”
“But, ohh,” I complained. “I’m sad, Daddy.”
“Maybe, but you’re also tryin’a play us.” He stared at me in the rearview. “Is that nice?”
Damn it! I huffed and slumped back in my seat, and I folded my arms over my chest. “I just love you, is all. I’m not going to say sorry for wanting you with me all the time.”
“And we never claimed you should,” he replied. “It’s your method that needs some work. But maybe you think so little of us that you believe it’s okay to manipulate us. Maybe that’s how little you love us.”
My eyes widened in horror. “No! I never said that! Why would you—” I stifled a scream when I saw his smirk in the rearview. Freaking gah! Why did he have to turn the tables on me?
Lucas chuckled and patted my hand. “Everything will work out. You’ll see.”
“Okay,” I mumbled. “But can we still redecorate the house together?”
“Yes, we can.” He linked our fingers together, and relief swept over me. “Daddy and I are working on a few things. You just need to be patient.”
“I can be patient, I swear,” I said.
“There’s a first time for everythin’,” Colt laughed.
I stuck my tongue out at him.
He stuck his tongue out at me too.
Silly Daddy!
* * *
The following Friday, Vincent agreed to meet me at a coffee shop across the river in Arlington. It was closer to where he lived, and I had an errand there.
Lucas dropped me off in Crystal City after lunch, and he peered back at me with a sympathetic smile. “You’ll be fine, sweetheart.”
I nodded nervously and clutched the note with my rehearsed talking points. “You’ll be home for dinner?”
“Of course. I’m just gonna head into the office for a few hours.”
I nodded again and unbuckled my seat belt.
“Colt and I have a surprise for you later.”
A rush of excitement flooded me, and the funny thing was, I’d have a surprise for them too. “I like surprises, Daddy.”
“We know.” He grinned. “Call Colt if you need him to come get you afterward, okay?”
No, I could do this. I could take the Metro on my own. Using the Metro while Abel was here had helped me navigate the system easier. I was ready. Besides, Colt was busy painting our dining room today.
“I’ll call, but I’ll be fine,” I promised. Leaning forward in my seat, I kissed Lucas on the lips and then opened the door. “Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, sweet boy. Good luck with Vincent, and let me know how it went. Wait—do you have your money?”
“Yes, Sir.” I blushed and patted my pocket where I kept my wallet. This morning, my Daddies told me they were going to start giving me an allowance. Every Friday, they would give me twenty dollars to cover my ice cream needs, and I had to make it last. I couldn’t come to them next Wednesday and ask for ice cream because my money was gone.
I was going to learn how to put together a budget.
Tricky stuff.
After saying goodbye to Daddy, I closed the door and joined the late lunch crowd on the sidewalk. The sun was shining on my exposed arms, and I felt good. I had nauseated butterflies flying around in my stomach, but I’d built up enough confidence while rehearsing what to say that Vincent simply had to agree with me. He wasn’t allowed to leave me; things just had to change a bit.