“I somehow doubt that you’re completely innocent,” Jude stated as he strode in the room.
“Of course I am!” Nicky said. If Liam was ever in trouble, it was usually Nicky’s fault. Not this time though! He was totallygoing to remember this conversation later so he could point out just how innocent he was.
Reaching them, Jude brushed the hair from Nicky’s eyes. Nicky needed a haircut. Usually, he went every three weeks but even that had been fucked up by his trip from hell. “How are you doing?”
God! Liam had gotten so lucky finding Jude. Even though Nicky was merely the pesky best friend that was always around, Jude took care of him too. Nicky wanted a Daddy like that. He couldn’t help sliding his gaze over Jude’s shoulder to where Law leaned against the doorframe. He quickly cut his attention back to his bestie’s Daddy. He needed to focus. “I’m better. It will be fine.”
“It will be,” Jude repeated. “You’re home now. Right where you’re supposed to be.”
Nicky hugged Liam to his chest as he grinned at Jude. “I’m in bed with your boy.”
“Keep being a brat,” Jude taunted. “You know I have no problem putting you in the corner.”
Law laughed, making Nicky duck his head. It was true that Jude had stepped in as a pseudo-Daddy for Nicky. Neither Jude or Liam seemed to mind but Nicky didn’t know what Law would think about the dynamic. There was nothing sexual between the three of them. Nicky would never do that to his best friend. Still, someone on the outside of their relationship might find it weird. And corner time sucked, so Nicky knew better than to press his luck.
“Daddy!” Liam complained. “You make Nicky turn all red.”
And his best friend didn’t need to point that out.
“Did I?” Jude teased. “Hmm, I wonder why.”
It was like he wasn’t even there while they talked about him. And they called him a brat!
“I think it’s because Uncle Law is here,” Liam tattled.
Nicky pinched Liam.
“Daddy! Nicky pinched me!”
Nicky was going to smother his best friend. He swore if he made it through the night of embarrassment, Liam would pay for the teasing. That was usually his job! He loved to tattle on Liam to his Daddy. Getting a taste of his own medicine was not as much fun.
“Should I be concerned that Nicky doesn’t call me Uncle Jude? Do you think he doesn’t like me as much as you do your Uncle Law?” Jude asked.
Now that wasn’t fair. Nicky popped his head back up to find Jude grinning at him. He scowled. “Mean!”
Reaching over, Jude started to tickle him.
Nicky squirmed and laughed while trying to get away. Liam rolled away from them with his back to the wall to remain a safe distance from the torture.
“Am I mean, Nicky?” Jude asked, still attacking him with his fingers.
He tried answering but ended up nodding instead. He could barely breathe, so speaking was not happening. Jude kepttickling him until Nicky had tears in his eyes and was trying to catch his breath.
“There!” Jude said proudly. “That’s the smile that my boy’s bestie should always have.”
Yes, he was smiling. Warmth and love filled him. He climbed to his knees then launched himself into Jude’s arms. Liam gave the best hugs but sometimes Daddy hugs were just needed.
Jude held him tight as he started to rock Nicky back and forth. “It’s okay. You’re home with us now. We’ve got you.”
All the cracked pieces inside him put themselves back together. He was over wallowing. One of Nicky’s greatest traits was the way that he could bounce back from the trials of life. Nothing could hold him down for long. Nicky had built his company from the ground up. He was out and proud gay, never backing down when someone had a problem with his sexuality. He’d completed the campaign for Freddie and the beer company. The advertising campaign was going to launch that business into a whole new customer base. It would be amazing. And now it was time to play. He’d damn well earned this.
Drawing back, Nicky made an exaggerated chomping motion. “I’m a shark!”
“You are the best shark in the whole ocean,” Jude said as he set Nicky back beside Liam.
Liam’s arm came around him like they were stuck to each other’s sides.
“I don’t know,” Law said as he stepped forward while rubbing his chin. “He doesn’t look much like a shark.”
