Page 61 of Soft
After he looked through it all, Paxton handed me the stack. “Take a look at my notes,” he said.
We spent an hour going back and forth with Royce’s staff. They made amendments to the contract—which were things we’d already agreed to but clearly Royce had changed to make the negotiations look more authentic.
Once the contract was solid, it was time to dive into money and training structures. Royce had been letting Paxton train with the team a bit here and there. It was a discreet setup to make sure no one found out where he was getting drafted before things were official.
Now though, Paxton would be brought in full-time. All eyes would be on him as he showed why he was a number one draft pick.
I had no doubt my Daddy would live up to the hype.
Royce shook my hand and then Paxton's, and Kenneth did the same. There was a moment after the formal parts were over when Royce looked at Paxton with an amused expression and said, "We're glad you chose Bellport."
Paxton smiled back. "Bellport felt like home the minute I heard about it. Everything I’ve ever wanted is here."
Then he looked at me, just for a second. Royce let out a knowing laugh, not even stopping when I scowled at them. Kenneth smirked, though he had the decency to not be so obvious.
Cheyenne and Moseley were waiting somewhat patiently at the office when we came to drop the paperwork off. They didn’t need to be there. It was technically their day off with the draft happening.
There wasn’t an ounce of surprise in me at their choice to come in. They both knew we were meeting with Royce and the team. I’m sure they wanted to gossip, and maybe even congratulate Paxton.
“It’s official!” Cheyenne clapped, her smile so wide I knew her cheeks would hurt later. “How does it feel, Paxton?”
“It feels epic. Like the joy of a plan finally coming together how you’d hoped. I couldn’t have asked for a better day,” he replied while I went to put the papers on my desk.
I heard the group following me, which had me smiling. Those three weren’t going to let me miss a second of the story time.
Moseley had been quiet as Cheyenne peppered Paxton with questions. After I laid the papers on my desk, I turned to face him.
He was very obviously holding himself back. His body shook with restraint, kind of like when a Little has too much sugar and doesn’t want to admit it to anyone. I smiled at the idea since I’d seen Monty’s partner Danny in the exact same state a few times.
A pause in the conversation had me turning to Paxton. He watched Moseley with a raised brow, as if to ask what he needed.
"Do you want… can I… would it be weird if I…”
"Moseley," Paxton said warmly.
He sighed, his shoulders dropping. "Yeah?"
"Come here and hug me."
Moseley crossed the distance in a quick shuffle. Paxton caught him in a brief, solid hug, and Moseley emerged from it looking less frazzled. His smile seemed more genuine too.
I found that I didn't mind it at all. Moseley needing a hug didn’t mean he wanted to take my Daddy away. Especially since I didn’t know if my employee was even kinky. That was a thought for a much later date and time.
Cheyenne hugged Paxton next, taking the opportunity since we were all being open. It was when she came to hug me that I felt tears well in my eyes. Affection like this, so freely given, always undid me.
She pulled back and smoothed the front of my jacket with brisk, practical pats.
"Okay, people. We need to eat and chat. I want all the details of today. Should we order in or go out?"
"Let’s go eat somewhere. I want to be out with the people of Bellport,” Paxton suggested. “I don’t want them to see me as a celebrity or anything. Better they get used to me now.”
It was a smart move. One I hoped would pay off in the future.
Paxton's dad was at an empty table in Hazel’s when we got there. He waved us over with a wide grin that matched his son’s. Theresemblance between them became more obvious. It made me wonder if Paxton would look that way when he was older.
The thought made me freeze, my heart lurching in my chest. With my condition, I might never actually see him that way. Forget the age gap part of it. I’d be blind before he went gray and rugged.
I fought to shake off the sadness trying to grip me. It wasn’t the time or place. I could wallow alone at home later.
