AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Say it, baby.
Relaxing my hand, I run my thumb over his skin. Small and gentle circles over his bicep, comforting and reassuring him that I’m here. All he needs to do is ask. Imploring him with my unwavering gaze, I silently send out another demand.
Ask Daddy for help, baby.
His eyes well up again, and the dam breaks. Fat tears roll down his cheeks as Tanner convulses in front of me. I barely make out his choked, “I can’t do this.” Looping my arms around him, I pull Tanner into my embrace, squeezing him into a hug. His arms wrap around my middle immediately, his body sagging against mine. This poor boy has been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, floundering without someone to ease his burdens.
No more.
I know he claims he doesn’t have time for a relationship or a Daddy, but I’ll be damned if I sit by and let him suffer on his own. It’s time to step up and show him a Daddy—this Daddy—is here to make everything better.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got you,” I whisper, nuzzling the top of his head. “Everything’s going to be all right.”
“No, it’s not,” he whines, blubbering into my tear-soaked shirt.
Mac’s waving arm captures my attention again. When I look his way, he gestures to an open booth in the corner.
I’m gonna kiss that man.
“Come with me, baby boy.” Without removing Tanner from my embrace, I guide us out of the doorway and to the corner booth. He comes without question, his steps stumbling slightly from the awkward position.
Scooting onto the leather seat, I pull Tanner onto my lap. “Take a deep breath for me, Tanner.”
His sobs are wet and broken, but he does as asked, sucking in three deep breaths and blowing them out through his nose. On the fourth exhale, he startles a bit and squirms on my lap, attempting to move away.
“Uh-uh,” I tut. “Stay right where you are. I’m going to hold you while you tell me what’s going on.”
“I c-can’t sit on your lap. We’re in public!” His face flushes as his gaze darts around the diner. His eyes widen comically when Mac approaches us, setting a cup of coffee in front of Tanner.
“Yes, you can—and you will,” I inform him. “Mac prepared something to take on the road, saving you fifteen minutes of waiting for your order.” Cupping his chin in my free hand, I turn his face back to mine. “Now, we’re going to use this time for you to tell me what’s going on and how I can help.”
“You can’t help me, Dean. This is work. I can’t share details because of privacy and protection for the families I deal with.”
“Easy, Tanner.” I run my thumb over his jaw. “I don’t need details from your caseload. You can explain what happened without those.”
He sighs. “My boss, who never actually works, took off and handed over an urgent case. I’m already maxed out on my overtime this week, but I was the only one around. These things don’t exactly wait for the next business day.”
Giving him a soft smile, I nod in understanding. “Makes sense.”
Seeing an opening, Tanner purges in a rushed jumble as he tells me about his week. My smile slips with each devastating word that passes his lips, my anger rising with every recount of his missed sleep, poor eating habits, and nearly nonexistent reprieve from his job.
Doing my best to keep my frustration from boiling over, I rub Tanner’s back in an attempt to comfort him. What I’d like to do is go track down his boss and give him a piece of my mind.
What a fucking dick. Cutting out early and dumping his work on his subordinates? Does he not know how easily he will burn out his staff? The man could certainly use a management and leadership course or two.
“…and now I have to take this surprise house call on the other side of the county. It will be hours before I get home again, and only if I’m lucky enough to not need further intervention tonight.” He collapses against me, the stress of his work week seeping out of him.
This poor boy. He is carrying too much, and he needs someone to step in. He doesn’t see it yet, but I’m here to show him. “Will you let me help you, Tanner?”
“You can’t help with this, Dean.”
“Not with your case, but with you.” I still don’t understand why I’m drawn to this boy or why, after all this time, his struggles call to a deep, protective place in my soul, but who cares? “Lestat still your safeword?”
Confused, his head bobbles in a semblance of agreement.
“This case…this is the last thing you have to do today?”
“Yeah, but—” Using my thumb and forefinger, I pinch his lips closed to cut off his arguments.
