Page 13 of Stars Like Confetti

I didn’t. Not right away, at least. I chose to admire Shea for a few more minutes. He leaned back on his hands, turning his face to the sun and soaking in the warmth. Had it been cold and dreary where they’d taken him? Was the stifling Georgia heat welcomed compared to it?

Steeling myself, I kicked off my outdoor boots and tucked my socks inside. The sand was warm under my feet, the water cool and inviting after sweat had been beading up across my hairline and dripping down my back all morning. I dropped down next to Shea, and he cracked an eye open, that adorable smile curling his lips. “I thought you were Tyler. I was about to assume that Jordan turned him down.”

“That’s not going to happen. Jordan’s completely smitten with him.”

Shea snickered. “I knew it.”

My eyes drifted over him, the thin T-shirt that he wore, the denim shorts that were cut off at the knee. And that damn red wristband. He’d sought me out last night, so the sight of the wristband confused me more than it probably should have. This man had me questioning everything I’d built within myself over the years.

“I can feel you staring, Theo.”

“Sue me. You’re a sight for sore eyes after…” I didn’t have to complete my sentence. We both knew what happened after. “Can I ask you something?”

Shea opened his eyes and looked at me. “Anything.”

“Why’d you choose the red wristband?”

He glanced down at his wrist. “Red means that I’m not open to play with others, right?”

“Y-yeah, but last night…”

“‘Others’ don’t include you, Theo. I’m not open to play, because there’s only one Da that I want.”

Was he blushing? Or was that the sun? Damn it, was I blushing? Maybe I’d been outside for too long. I didn’t get flustered—ever. Even once I met Shea. Despite the butterflies he kicked up in my belly at any given moment, those flutters never reached my face. Any hope I had of responding was thwarted by Shea inching his hand over to meet mine. “You don’t have to,” he said. “But whether you choose to or not, my color will stay the same. I don’t… I don’t want anyone else.”

The breath whooshed from my lungs, and he’d hardly even touched me. “What makes you think I don’t want to?”

“Well, you haven’t said a word.”

“I want to, Shea. Nothing would make me happier than being your caregiver, but I think there’s a talk we need to have first.”

Shea took a deep breath. “I know, just not here.”

Chapter Seven

Shea

I was keeping a secret from Theo, and it had nothing to do with my past. After breakfast—at my request—Tyler led me into one of the large bathrooms in the dining hall and showed me how to put on a diaper by myself. It took a lot of wriggling, twisting, and practicing my sumo moves with how wide I had to spread my legs. Tyler laughed so hard that he needed to change himself again, but we got there in the end. He knelt to help me back into my jeans, which fit a little tighter around my crotch now. I buttoned them, heart fluttering—the ruffled edge of the diaper poked over my waistband, amusing me. When Tyler ducked into another restroom, I took advantage of the solitude to squish my crotch, delighted at the soft padding there. My Little side lingered just beneath the surface, but I held onto just enough of my Big side to prevent regressing completely.

I was sure I was walking funny. Tyler assured me that I wasn’t, but that any caregiver with an ounce of experience would know I was diapered. Thankfully, we didn’t run into Theo on our way to the lake. I wasn’t sure where they’d gone after breakfast, but the longer I avoided them, the longer I could plan what I wanted.

They might not have been disappointed that I couldn’t bring myself to use the diaper that morning, but I was mad at myself. I’d nearly had a full-blown accident thirty seconds into seeing them again, and here I was unable to voluntarily let go. I’d had plenty to drink at breakfast, and quickly noticed the slight tingle in my belly that would normally signal me to find a bathroom.

I ignored it, accepting the bottle of juice that Tyler handed me before we headed to the lake. The rippling, sparkling water quickly cause my body to become insistent. It was a hot day and despite my rapidly growing discomfort, I sucked down the juice at rapid speed. Tyler watched me wiggle and squirm out of the corner of his eye, smirking. At one point, I cursed and tried to shove my hand between my thighs, but the diaper prevented me from getting the pressure I needed, so I folded my legs under me and ground against my heels. “This is fucking torture.”

“You’re literally wearing the solution,” Tyler deadpanned. “And you’re also doing this to yourself.”

“I know,” I growled. I was snappy when I had a full bladder, but Tyler wasn’t fazed. He simply got to his feet and dusted the sand off his shorts.

“Come.”

I don’t know how he expected me to walk with my thighs pressed together but when I didn’t follow, he looked over his shoulder expectantly.

I was beginning to question this new friendship.

Steeling myself, I stood on quivering legs and followed him…

Right to the edge of the lake.