Page 92 of Soft
Paxton:Perfect. Once you’re back in bed, stay there. You don't have anything on your calendar today that can't be moved, and if something comes up, I want you to send it to me and I will deal with it.
Grizzly:Daddy, you can't manage my client emails.
Paxton:Watch me. I'm very professional when I need to be. Besides, I wouldn’t do it alone. I’ve got Moseley and Cheyenne to assist. I’ll even call Auden if need be.
Grizzly:That is far too sexy of you. I don't know why I’m attracted to you taking over.
Paxton:I’m pretty sure it’s called a competence kink. That’s not important at the moment.
Paxton:Rest. That's the only thing on your list today. Not whatever you're already thinking about doing the second this headache eases up. I know how your brain works.
Grizzly:I wasn't going to do anything.
Paxton:You were already planning something.
Grizzly:There's one email that would take five minutes.
Paxton:Grizzly.
Grizzly:Fine.
Paxton:I'm finishing up here and then I'm coming to you. Probably an hour, maybe less. I want you horizontal when I get there. Soft things within reach. Wells should be watching over you too. Do you need anything before I leave? I can stop somewhere.
Grizzly:Maybe something for the headache. The extra strength kind.
Paxton:Already on my list. Anything else?
Grizzly:Just you, honestly.
Paxton:That one's easy. I'll be there soon. Rest until I get there, okay? No phone, no laptop, nothing. Close your eyes and wait.
Grizzly:Okay, Daddy.
Paxton:Good boy. I'll see you soon.
CHAPTER 30
Paxton
The venue was decked out in Blue Jays colors, every surface carrying the logo I was still getting used to seeing on my chest. There were kids running around with foam fingers and jerseys that were three sizes too big, parents trailing behind them with a mix of exhaustion and joy gracing their features.
I'd done enough of these through the years to know how to move through them without it feeling like work. Smile for the camera. Sign the jersey. Crouch down to a kid's level so they feel seen.
That last part had never been difficult for me. Kids were my favorite part of any event. They wanted to know if you thought their favorite player was cool and whether you'd ever hit a grand slam.
It was a pretty low barrier to entry. You had to be an asshole to truly upset a kid.
The charity component had gone smoothly too. Kenneth had spoken first, his passion for baseball shining through. I loved knowing how involved he was. His past with the sport made himan excellent manager for the team. Add in that he’d once owned it, and you got a winning combo.
Royce had followed Kenneth’s speech with a sharper, funnier one. The room was split in half in their responses to them. Half were in awe of their beauty, while the remaining appeared to be excited to have a Bellport in their midst.
That family truly was royalty in these parts. It was trippy to see in real life after spending so long researching them.
The team was better from Royce and Kenneth’s leadership. Our coaching staff was great, but I was a big believer that greatness was a top-down experience.
As I moved through the crowd, stopping at tables, shaking hands, signing things thrust toward me from every direction, I thought about the couple and how they’d made their relationship work despite being in business together. They were inspirational in a sense given my current situation.
There was an ease to everything in Bellport I attributed to being surrounded by amazing people. From the staff to the players to the fans, I was happy to see them all enjoying themselves at this event.
