Page 39 of Mouth to Mouth

Instead of embracing his little side, Luca was making sure that his friends were happy and comfortable. This would not do. Brad caught Josh’s eye, pointing toward Dawson. His friend gave a small nod of his head before crossing over.

Dawson looked up as Josh sat on the floor beside the beanbag chair. Josh said something before Dawson smiled and started to read out loud.

Cal caught the exchange before going to where Scott had dumped out the container of bright blocks. Jacob sat behind James, letting his boy use his leg as a ramp for his cars.

With their friends all taken care of and being watched over, Brad searched for Luca again.

On the tip of his toes Luca reached for a doll that a young woman about his age dressed in a blue princess dress was pointing at.

Okay, enough was enough. Luca was there to be a little not a babysitter. Brad crossed the room just as Luca handed the girl the doll.

“Thank you,” she said before skipping off.

Luca turned, nearly running into Brad’s chest. Luca gasped, taking a step back. Slipping an arm around his back, Brad kept Luca on his feet.

“Are you done?” Brad asked quietly.

“Done?” Luca cocked his head to the side.

Brad drew the boy close to his side and pointed. First to Dawson and Josh, then Cal and Scott, and finally James and Jacob. “Everyone is fine. Now it’s time for Luca to have some fun.”

“I’m having fun,” Luca argued.

“Wouldn’t you be having more fun if you played?” Brad questioned.

Luca huffed. “What do you care? Why are you even here? Doesn’t this room give you hives or something?”

Leaning close, Brad nudged Luca’s cheek with his nose. “You really don’t know anything about me.”

“I don’t?” There was a challenge in the words.

Brad smiled. He captured Luca’s hand in his before towing the boy to a quiet part of the room. It appeared to be a space where littles could play dress-up. Since no one was currently back there it was the perfect spot. Brad knelt down on one knee.

“What are you doing?” Luca questioned.

“Showing you what I brought.” Brad opened his bag, searching for what he wanted.

“What?” Luca questioned. “Condoms and lube?”

Brad stilled. Slowly he looked up. “I guess I deserve that.” It hurt. Luca’s sharp tongue was a weapon that he wielded well. Sex wasn’t the only thing that Brad wanted from Luca. It was time that Brad manned the fuck up.

“No you didn’t.” Luca shook his head. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Let me make it up to you,” Brad requested. Nearly pleaded.

“You’ve been apologizing a lot. I don’t think we should do that here.”

Brad grinned. The bulge in Luca’s shorts contradicted that statement. “Not that,” Brad drawled. “This.”

Luca stared at the box that Brad held out to him.

Brad shook the box, making the small pieces clink together.

“Is that…is that the dinosaur track?” Luca nearly squealed.

“I’ve overheard James talking about the two of you racing cars and how he always wins,” Brad said.

“He doesn’t always win,” Luca mumbled. “And he cheats.”