“Well, I guess that makes you easy to find,” Finley said, making it easier for Grayson to breathe. “Do you have a number?”
Grayson dragged his backpack closer and dug out his phone. Even though he sat there dressed as a Little, Grayson still felt a bit strange as he unlocked his phone and passed it Finley’s way. The device had a protective cover that was bright pink with push-pop bubbles and cat ears. He usually took off the case before using it in public. In this instance, Finley was acutely aware of Grayson’s quirks. It seemed ridiculous for Grayson to hide them now.
Finley didn’t as much as blink as he took the phone and clicked around. His phone buzzed and Finley typed in both devices, sending messages back and forth between them.
He passed Grayson’s phone back. “There. Now we can talk anytime.”
Grayson checked his messages. Finley had added himself as a contact. He read the messages Finley had sent between their phones.
Grayson: This is Grayson’s phone.
Finley: This is Finley’s. Let’s be friends.
Grayson bit his lip, trying to squash a smile as he sent Finley a text of his own before putting the device back in his backpack.
Grayson: I’d like that. Text me when you get home.
When Finley’s phone buzzed again, a deep chuckle rumbled from Finley’s chest. Grayson fought a sigh. He just genuinely liked everything about Finley, but Grayson didn’t understand why Finley spent time with him. There was nothing special about Grayson. He didn’t think he was even particularly cute.
“Are you telling me to leave?”
Grayson’s chin shot up at Finley’s question. Their gazes met again. Finley was mesmerized by him every time. “No. I just meant I’m not ready to stop talking to you for the night.”
“Have you started talking to me for the night? I hadn’t noticed.”
Grayson blushed. He knew he wasn’t very good at this. “I’m sorry.”
A line appeared between Finley’s eyebrows. “Why are you apologizing?”
Grayson shrugged. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t know what to talk about. You’re probably friends with a lot of smart people.” Grayson couldn’t believe he said that last part aloud.
Finley was back to blinking at him.
Grayson didn’t know why he always had to be so dumb. “Sorry.”
They stared at each other for a minute.
Fear washed over Grayson. He didn’t want Finley to leave because he realized Grayson likely wasn’t his type. Grayson held his crayons out to Finley. “Do you have a favorite color?”
A smile snapped to Finley’s lips. “Green.”
Grayson nodded and handed the green crayon to Finley. “You can color the grass. Mine is blue. I’ll color the sky.”
They bent over the coloring book. Their faces were so close, all Grayson had to do was turn his head and he could kiss Finley’s cheek. Before he could stop himself, that was exactly what Grayson did.
Finley froze.
In his fear, Grayson dropped his voice to a whisper. “Thank you for being my friend.” He went back to coloring while praying Finley didn’t leave now. Life had been incredibly lonely. For the first time, he saw a slight glimmer of hope.
The grand parties Silas threw one or two times a month weren’t really Finley’s thing. He wasn’t much of a drinker. There was no way in hell he would put a collar on some poor guy and force him to his knees. Until meeting Grayson, he hadn’t thought Silas’ parties had anything to offer him whatsoever. Now he couldn’t stop showing up. When he wasn’t there, all he did was think of Grayson. He needed answers. There had to be a reason for this fascination. Maybe he just needed to know why Grayson always apologized and rarely met his eye. His every action screamed he had suffered a lifetime of abuse. That didn’t sit well with Finley. Finley couldn’t leave the man alone.
Grayson was a tiny guy with soft-looking blond curls and sweet green eyes. He was the absolute picture of youth and innocence. Finley always wanted to tell him he had no business at Silas’s, but Finley had no right to do so. So Finley came every time he was invited and spent the entire night at Grayson’s side. If he couldn’t make Grayson leave, he would keep him safe. Finley didn’t think there was a soul there who would treat Grayson with the care he obviously needed.
Tonight, he had gotten Grayson’s number and made a decision. He would take Grayson to do things outside the occasional party. He hoped if Grayson saw he could be accepted outside these lurid gatherings, then he would search for a better way to find comfort. Finley had a bad feeling in his gut about Grayson being left alone at those events. Grayson needed a friend. A protector. At least, that was what Finley told himself as he drove home. His feelings were completely innocent. They were no more than friends.
As Finley stripped away his tie and jacket, he fought against the images in his head. They poked holes in his claims of friendship. Grayson was a temptation Finley hadn’t experienced in a long time. Not since Coby died. Just the thought of Coby killed every hint of desire. They had been together for eight years. Seven of those, they had been married. Finley had never been happier in his life than he had back then. Even when Coby’s cancer had drained him, Finley hadn’t lost an ounce of love. When Coby died, Finley had too. He just hadn’t found himself in the ground yet. Everything he did now felt pointless. There was no chance he would ever find a love that matched theirs. He didn’t want to try. Finley couldn’t explain why he bothered with Silas and his parties, except Silas’ husband, Benji, had run away a couple of months ago and Finley had found himself giving a damn. He hadn’t thought he would care about any damn thing again. Now there was the whole Grayson thing. Grayson seemed lonely and anxious. He had a terrible time even meeting Finley’s stare for long. Finley couldn’t ignore him when it was so painfully obvious everyone had.
Without thinking too much about it, Finley snagged his phone from the dresser. He was already worried about Grayson again. When Finley had left the party, Grayson had been headed upstairs. Finley wondered if he made it.
Finley: Did you make it to your room safely?
Grayson: Yes. Silas made Benji and me some hot chocolate, but they’ve gone to bed now.
A smile tugged at Finley’s lips. He was glad Silas and Benji were taking care of Grayson, even though he felt like Grayson needed a bit more attention than the occasional hot chocolate.
Finley: Are you in bed?
Grayson: Yes. Are you?
Finley: Not yet. I’ve only been home about five minutes. Did you remember to brush your teeth?
Grayson: Oh yeah. I need to do that. I’ll be right back.
Finley stared at the face of his phone and watched a minute tick by.
Grayson: Okay. Done.
Finley: Nope. Try again. That was only a minute. It should’ve been two.
Grayson: Sigh.
Another smile exploded across Finley’s face. He enjoyed himself more than he should. This time, it was three minutes before Grayson texted again.
Grayson: I’m back.
Finley: That’s better. Are you all tucked in?
Grayson: Yes.
Finley: Would you like me to call and read you a bedtime story?
Grayson: Please?
Without hesitation, Finley hit the tiny phone icon and called Grayson. Grayson answered on the first ring.