Page 29 of Shotgun Daddy
Reece
The hotel’s rooftop shimmered under the late morning sun, a secret haven perched high above a city that had more than its fair share of dangers as far as Reece and Faustino were concerned.
“Ah,yes! This is super-cool, Daddy,” Reece exclaimed.
Reece stepped out of the elevator beside Faustino, his sneakers scuffing the sleek concrete terrace, and let out a delighted gasp.
The roof space sprawled wide and long, edged with a glass railing that framed a jaw-dropping view of the skyline made up of skyscrapers and bright blue sky.
A small table waited near the railing, draped with a red checkered blanket Faustino had ordered from the concierge, and the air hummed with the faint buzz of distant traffic and the sweet, earthy scent of sun-warmed greenery.
As far as Reece was concerned, it wasperfect.
“This is so wicked-awesome, Daddy!” Reece chirped once more, clutching Squirt to his chest as he skipped ahead. “A picnicway up high! It’s like we’re in a castle in the sky and I’m the adventurous, super-brave princess!”
Faustino grinned, setting the picnic basket down with a soft thud and unpacking their spread.
“Only the best for my boy,” Faustino said, his voice warm but tinged with a shadow he couldn’t quite pin down.
Faustino had switched out his customary white shirt for a simple black t-shirt that clung to his broad shoulders, his dark hair catching the sunlight perfectly.
The picnic basket spilled out perfect treasures too…
“Yay! Choco-crunches, strawberries, orange sours!” Reece squealed with delight. “Yummy, yummy, yummy!”
Reece was ready to dive in and get eating. But as a Little, he was ready for fun too…
“Actually, let’s play first!” Reece giggled. He snatched a strawberry, popped it into his mouth and chuckled as Faustino settled beside him, stretching out his long, strong legs.
Reece thrust Squirt into Faustino’s hands, his cherished stuffie looking comically small against his large slab-like palms. “You be the dragon rider, and I’ll be the princess he saves from the mean old witch!”
“Squirt might be a little small for me to ride,” Faustino laughed.
“Well pretend, silly!” Reece squealed.
“Alright, princess. Where’s this dragon taking us today?” Faustino asked before he swooped Squirt through the air, making an exaggerated roaring noise that sent Reece into peals of laughter.
Reece scrambled to his feet, twirling around and then darting across the rooftop, pretending to flee an invisible foe. The sun beat down, warming his skin, and the city sprawled below like a toy kingdom, all tiny cars and ant-sized people.
“Save me, Sir Faustino!” Reece squealed, ducking behind a lounge chair as he swooped Squirt down in a dramatic arc and rescuing him from the make-believe witch.
Faustino played along with gusto, his gruff voice softening into a knight’s accent.
“Fear not, milady, thy dragon rider is here!” Faustino bellowed.
Reece darted between chairs, giggling as Faustino chased him with Squirt, his big frame surprisingly nimble as he ducked and weaved. Reece could see it so clearly… he was a great Daddy.
Faustino was patient when he tripped over his own feet, strong when he scooped him up in a mock rescue, silly enough to roar like a dragon just to make Reece laugh.
But every so often, Faustino’s gaze flicked to the horizon, his jaw tightening for a split second, and Reece knew something was simmering beneath the surface.
Is it because of me?
Am I what’s worrying him?
I hope not…
But Reece didn’t allow his fears to hold him down for long.
