Save Me, Daddy: Rainbow Room Book 1
Page 22
ME: Who said I'm not going? It´s only 4 pm here.
Auntie: I´m going to call Des at 7 sharp, and if you're not there, I´ll have him come get you.
Grrrr. Why did Auntie always bother me to go there? I guess deep down I got why she pushed me. Auntie thought that I would find my Daddy there. Long story. My Auntie wasn’t always my Aunt. A long time ago, in a different life, she was my Uncle Andrew. For a long time, I´d thought he was dead, but when I was fourteen, I´d learned the truth. Andrew was not dead, and he left to be able to be himself. To be Ava. She had started a new life in New York, and the people of the Rainbow Room were a part of it. They had been there for her, supported her through the hard times of becoming Ava, and became her new family.
Even though I knew all this, I couldn’t bring myself to go to Daddies and Little’s night. Auntie may be convinced that I would find my Daddy there. But I knew better. No, Daddy would ever accept all my issues.
Some Daddies loved diapers, but only to pretend play, not to deal with them all the time because of a medical condition. And a Daddy would want to interact with their boy, to communicate with them. My only communication was sign language. And finding a Daddy who knew sign language. Ha. Good luck with that. It would be easier to find the gold at the end of a rainbow. Well, I could read lips, too. But that was more of a one-sided conversation—my side. I could talk, I just didn´t like to. Because I couldn´t hear my voice, I never knew if I spoke too loud or too quiet. So, I stopped talking.
I looked around my open floor plan apartment. After I sold the rights for one of my thrillers to a Network TV Station, I went out and bought a run-down warehouse in Queens and remodeled the top floor. What I had created here was fun, and so my style. Not only because of the open space and the view over the river and Manhattan. But also because I was able to express myself. The true me in all my goofy glory with my toys scattered all over the place, and my coloring books laid out on the coffee table. The whole place was colorful and bright. There were stuffies on my comfy sofa, and my best pictures hung on the walls. It was a perfect mix of my adult side and my Little side. Ava didn´t mind it; neither did Owen. And those two were the only ones who visited me. But I had no idea what a Daddy would think about it. Would it be too much for him?
With a sigh, I turned back towards my computer. Even if a Daddy didn´t mind how I lived, they might care that I lived like a hermit. I rarely left my apartment. I also got my groceries delivered. A new message from Ava interrupted my thoughts, and I sighed again.
Auntie: Sweetie, I'm just doing it for your own good and because I love you. You deserve to be happy.
ME: I am happy.
Auntie: No, you're not. You're lonely. And don't you dare lie to me young man, or I'll have Des spank your ass before he takes you out.
Auntie: Do it for me, Sweetie. Just this once.
ME: Will you let this go forever if I say yes?
Auntie: Just one evening, Henry. Give it a chance. You might be surprised.
I was pretty sure that she was wrong about that, but I didn´t want to argue. Not about this anyway, because if I did, she would never leave me alone.
ME: Fine. I'm going. But only this once!
Auntie: You won't regret it, Sweetie!
I snorted. I was pretty sure I would regret it. But I kept that to myself, too.
ME: I'm calling a cab—no need to have Des drive to Queens.
Auntie: Let me know when you get there and get home then, so I know that you´re safe.
ME: I will.
Auntie: Have fun, Sweetie!!!
ME: Yeah, I will.
Auntie: Don’t start. Try to have fun. I want to hear all about it tomorrow.
ME: Ok, Auntie. Love you. Bye.
I rolled my eyes and turned off my computer. Fun. Ha. Fun was staying at home and playing with my toys or watching cartoons. Even coloring was much more fun than going out. But I couldn´t back down now. I had agreed to go, and I would follow through. After all, Ava had promised to leave me alone after one visit. That right there made the whole thing worth it.
◆◆◆
Three hours later, my cab stopped in front of the Rainbow Room. Sighing, I paid the driver on my phone, gave him an excellent review, and got out. Here I am, The Rainbow Room. Huh, it looks exactly like it did two years ago when we had Ava’s 50th birthday party here. Apart from pushing me to go the Daddies and Littles evening, Ava occasionally asked to meet her here for dinner, but I always refused. And now, here I was.
Still standing outside, I wrote Ava a message that I had arrived and got a heart emoji back in return, followed by three thumbs up. Rolling my eyes, I put my phone back in my pocket, took a deep breath, and opened the door. On Wednesday’s, the bar was closed for “normal” customers, so there weren´t that many people. Actually, there were only four guests so far. Two Littles with their Daddies by the look of it, one of them was a skinny, young, dark-haired guy with a dark-skinned Daddy. The other one was a cute looking guy with light brown curls and dark-rimmed glasses. He sat on the lap of an older looking man, who smiled down at him.
Swallowing, I watched them for a moment. My heart ached. The way they interacted, the way they looked at each other. Even the interaction between the two Littles spoke volumes. The one with the glasses stuck his tongue out at the other Little, and then they both laughed. Jealousy made my stomach churn. No. No, this was no fun at all. This was just shoving in my face what I would never have.
I was leaving now. I didn’t think about it, I just turned around and BAM I ran full speed into a substantial body. Blinking, I was facing a broad chest. The owner of the said chest helped steady me before I could fall on my ass. Damn. So much for my quiet flight. I looked up and blinked again. He was maybe around forty, with dark hair and kind, brown eyes. I only stand five foot three inches, so Mr. Chest had to be at least five foot ten inches with a sleek athletic build. He looked like a perfect Daddy. And he no longer looked surprised but worried. I realized that he must have said something, and I didn’t answer. I looked at a perfect set of lips.
“Are you okay?”
No, I was not okay. I just realized that the universe hated me. First, it made me come here to witness how perfect the love between a Daddy and a Little was, then I ran head-on into an ideal Daddy. A Daddy, I could never have. My eyes filled with tears, and I barely caught his lips moving again.
“Oh no, Little Boy. Don't cry. You're okay.”
When he called me Little Boy, cue the waterworks, I started to sob. I craved a Daddy for so long that it was equally cruel and the best thing ever in my life. Unable to focus on his lips anymore, I didn´t catch what he was saying, but then Des was at my side, grabbing my chin gently and forcing me to look at him.
Henry, are you okay? What´s wrong? Des signed. Typically, Des was all smiles and laughter, but now he looked scared. Oh, yeah. Ava had probably told him that I was coming over.
I want to go home! I signed back with shaking hands. Before Des could sign something in return, the perfect Daddy gently tapped at my shoulder, and I looked back at him.
Hi. My name is Caden. My mouth dropped open when I saw him signing. Even his signing was perfect. Is this your first time?
I nodded and just stared at him.
It´s scary, right?
I nodded, but scary wasn't even close to how I felt. It was terrifying and hurtful. But then Mr. Chest, no Caden smiled, handed me a hanky, for my tears. Not a tissue. No, he gave me a real, classic white cloth hanky. I blew my nose, and when I glanced back at him, he was smiling even wider. There was a problem with the hanky, though, I couldn't just put it in my pocket as I would have with a tissue. Caden seemed to sense my dilemma because he nodded at me.
Keep it. I have a drawer where they magically appear when I need one.
Caden winked, and I giggled at that. While I put it into my pocket, I gathered up all the courage I got and raised my hands.
How do you know how to sign?
My sister is deaf.
Of course, he would do such a thing. He was a Daddy, after all. Not knowing what to say or do next, I glanced at Des. He stood a few feet away now and was watching us with a smile on his lips. When he caught me looking at him, he made a ‘go on’ motion with his hand and walked away. Oh great. Thank you very much, Des. Then Caden tapped my shoulder again, and I looked back at him.
I know that it's scary to come here for the first time, especially for a Little. But this is a safe space, Henry. Can I make a suggestion?
I frowned but nodded.
Would you like to sit down with me and talk before we meet the others?
My mouth dropped open again when he said, “we,” but before I could overthink it, I nodded. When I did, Caden’s face lit up, and if it was possible, he smiled even more.
Great.
When he held out his hand to me, I stared at it for a second. It was such a Daddy move, and I loved it. But it also scared me. Because this couldn’t be real, someone like Caden must have a boy. He was just too perfect to be alone. But then he playfully wiggled his fingers, and tentatively I reached out and took his hand. When I looked back up again, he was still smiling, but there was something else there, too. He looked like he was proud of me. Blushing, I held onto his hand and let him lead me to one of the booths, far away from the table with the two couples. Caden stopped in front of the booth and turned, so I could see him signing again.
Sit down, and I get us something to drink. Have you already had dinner?
No. It doesn't make much sense to eat at home when you're visiting a bar at dinner time. I signed back, and Caden laughed.
Fair enough. Would you like to have dinner with me then?
I blinked. I couldn't sign or even nod. I just stared, wondering why in the hell he would want to have dinner with me? Didn’t he know I’m not good enough? Wasn't there a boy waiting for him? Didn’t he come here to have a fun night with his friends?
You came here because you're a Little, right? Caden signed again, and this time I was able to nod. Then you know that Daddy's mean what they say, and they don’t mess around. So, I will ask again. Would you like to have dinner with me, Henry?
I'm broken. It was a stupid answer, but it was the first that came to my mind.
Why would you say that? Caden signed back with a confused frown.
Because it's the truth, I swallowed hard and glanced at the door. I should make a break for it, but Caden stepped in front of me. When I looked up at him, I saw a raised eyebrow. I'm broken, and Daddies don't want broken boys.
How about you let me decide what I want. Caden signed back in a rush before he slowed down again. Sit down, and I´ll get us something to drink and dinner. Then we´ll talk. Is there anything you are allergic to or things you don’t like?
I don't like fish, and I'm allergic to apples. I answered, and again Caden smiled and nodded at me.
No apple juice and no fish then. I'll be right back.
With that, Caden turned and walked over to the bar while I stared at his back. Who the hell was this guy? He was placing our order, so that would give me a chance to make a run for it. But instead of running, I sat down and waited for him to come back.
About the Authors
L. Michael is a German Author, who started with Fanfiction and then moved to erotic short stories under the pen name Jules Black. From there, it was a small step to the first full-length novel, which will be published in Germany later this year. If not writing or plotting with M. Elton, L. Michael loves binge-watching Crime Shows, Musicals, and Lord of the Rings. And as a nerdy, end-thirty Single, there is a lot of time for all of her favorite things.
M. Elton is an American Author, currently living in Australia (Oh yeah, she’s married to an Australian, too) who never thought she would see the day that she got anything published. M Elton has been writing since she was about eight years old but doing nothing about it. It was not until that fate-filled meeting on Facebook. It was just a simple request for a writing buddy, that changed her life. When she is not writing about the Daddys and Littles of the Rainbow Room, she is walking her doggie, Sasha, and spending quality time with her Daddy.
→ Jules Black German short Story “Schmerzstudien.”
→ Jules Black German short Story “Unterwerfung.”