Page 35 of Daddy’s Little Secret

“After you. Want a beer?”

“A bit of liquid courage couldn’t hurt.” I pulled two from the fridge and handed him one. “So, Sasha. I don’t know what it is, but from the moment I met him, I’ve been Daddy-bear protective. Is that how it is for you and Chuck?”

“And then some. I fear for anyone who crosses our boys.”

“Whew.” He relaxed back. “I was walking through the quad and heard this tiny, hurt voice. I know eavesdropping is frowned upon, but he was so upset that I just couldn’t help myself. I later found out he was on the phone with his parents. He was begging them to let him come home. He didn’t want to go to college and was absolutely terrified. Needless to say, they told him, and I quote, if you don’t man up and do as you’re told, you’re out of the family.”

“What the hell?”

“Exactly. He barely got the words out later when he told me what they’d said. I just knew from the second he opened up to me that he was a Little and without a doubt, I was meant to be his Daddy. Sasha hates college, but he loves to design and create doll clothes. His parents literally got rid of all his toys and every piece of clothing he’d made. His father said boys don’t play with dolls and they sure as hell don’t wear dresses. I’m telling you, if I ever meet that man, well, let’s just hope one of us has bail money.”

“Brother, we won’t let it come to that. Tell me how we can help.”

“See, this is how a family should be. Fuck, man, the way Tae and Trey are with him is everything. This is what Sasha needs, to see that he’s not a freak and should be allowed to be his true self.”

“That goes without saying.” But what was he holding back? “Spill it, Samian.”

He smiled and took a drink. “You know me too well, Brother. You know I’ve fast-tracked and doubled up on my classes. I’m graduating early, and I’d like to know if Sasha and I can move up here? He’s staying with me in my dorm right now, and I think the only reason we haven’t been called out for that is because he’s still taking classes. But he’s not signing up for another semester.”

“You know we’d love to have you here, but will you be happy? You worked your ass off to get your bachelor’s in accounting. Is that just gonna fall to the wayside or do you already have a job lined up?”

His eyes lit up and I knew what was coming before he said it. “I was hoping to join the family business.”

I lost it. I swear to whatever deity there may be my brother just did the absolute worst Godfather impression in history. “Yeah, I’d stick with the accounting degree and never step foot on stage.”

That gave us both a good laugh. “Do you and Chuck need an accountant and what would it take to get a cabin built for Sasha and me?”

I slid my phone out and made a call. “Hey, can you come over? Samian needs to talk to you.”

“Way to throw me under the bus, bro.”

“Nope, now it’s time for you to pitch that fancy degree to us and sell us on your skills.” Samian sucked down his beer when in walked Chuck a few minutes later with his costume in hand.

“Everything okay?” Poor Chuck, the gentle soul was always concerned with everyone else.

“Samian wants to interview for the job of Ashwood’s accountant.”

“Did we put up a job listing I was unaware of?”

“Nope, says he wants to join the family business.” Jeez, my impression was equally as horrible as Samian’s and bad enough to have Chuck rolling.

“Alright, Samian.” Chuck sat on the sofa with me, Samian in the chair across from us. “Sell yourself.”

ASU must’ve required the students take a course on how to interview, or knowing my brother, he took one on the side. Samian sold it like he was interviewing with a Fortune 100 company. Gotta admit, I knew he was a brainiac, but to hear him share his accolades was quite impressive.

“You know family comes first at Ashwood,” Chuck chimed in, just as he had when we interviewed the employees down in Phoenix. “And we’re a family owned and operated business.”

“I do, and I feel the same way, which is why I believe I’d be an asset to the Ashwood team.”

Damn, go baby bro!

“My business partner Oscar and I will need to discuss this. We’ll get back to you by the end of the week with our offer,” Chuck said, Samian and I both paused.

“Offer, sir?” Samian questioned. “Don’t you mean with your decision?”

“Nope, I mean offer. Oscar never would’ve called me over for this discussion had he not already believed it to be a good idea. Am I wrong, Oscar?”

“Nope.”