Page 253 of Daddy's Pride

Oh, can I still call you that?

Never mind! I’m not sure why I asked that. It’s fine. Everything’s fine! I’m fine?

(But is it fine? I’m not sure why I feel like I have to ask, but is it ok to still call you Daddy now?)

I grinned. If he was this cute in person, I’d be fucked if we ever did meet.

Not that I’d let that hold me back. Not if he needed me.

Straight or not, I was still his Daddy. At least, some version of one.

I couldn’t have him doubting that.

MONDAY 2:26 PM

Of course you can call me Daddy, sweetheart. Always. And if you need me, if the hot water heater leaks again, if you need me for anything, I want you to promise to call me.

MONDAY 2:30 PM

Um, like, a voice call?

MONDAY 2:31 PM

Yes.

MONDAY 2:32 PM

Is that a rule now, too?

MONDAY 2:33 PM

Yes. :)

MONDAY 2:35 PM

Ok. I promise.

Thank you, Daddy.

MONDAY 2:36 PM

You’re welcome. Now put your phone down and enjoy your lunch with Tyler. You’re done with finals, and you deserve to celebrate.

MONDAY 2:36 PM

Ok :)

MONDAY 2:37 PM

Good boy -xo

Well, shit. When had I started adding a kiss and hug after every sign off? I didn’t remember, and wasn’t really sure I wanted to scroll back through our entire text history to find out.

Owen had never mentioned it though, so maybe the “xo” didn’t mean the same thing to his generation. Or, like calling him sweetheart, maybe he just… liked it, sexuality be damned.

But it meant something to me, and what it meant was that I needed to tell Juan yes.

I needed to go to the club with him this weekend.