Page 34 of Stars Like Confetti

While the milk warmed, I changed into an oversized T-shirt of my own for bed. Taking off my binder, I noticed Shea's eyes lingering on my chest. His pupils dilated, and the thin ring of blue remaining sparkled in the dim light. My cheeks heated, still not entirely sure as to why I enjoyed him suckling on me so much. "After your bottle, little one."

His eyes smiled while his mouth couldn't. He watched my every move, right up until I crawled into bed with him. I propped myself up on one elbow, letting him settle into the crook of my arm. Balancing the bottle against my leg, I tugged his soother free. He wet his lips, then latched right onto the bottle when it was offered. He gave a contented hum once the taste of the chocolate-tinted milk fell onto his tongue. He lifted his hands to cover mine, seemingly needing to touch me in every possible way.

Laying there, watching my boy fall asleep, I peppered kisses across his skin, thanking every star in the sky with each one for whatever higher power brought Shea Moreland back into my life.

Chapter Seventeen

Shea

"So… are you ready to introduce me to the reason why I haven't heard from you all week?"

Oh, Sophie. My fierce, fiery, and bossy best friend who clearly had a death wish. She was all of five feet tall—on a good day—but would square up to the Hulk himself with a smile on her face.

If the Hulk were smart, he'd give her an iced latte and back away slowly… exactly like I just did. Sophie's eyes brightened, but only slightly.

I sighed. “Let’s go.”

The Saturday before the end of the camp served as sort of a "family day." Friends and even partners of the other campers could visit and see how the age play scene worked, to get the chance to fully understand this aspect of their loved one’s life. Sophie snatched up that opportunity like her life depended on it. After all, she was the one who found the camp and encouraged me to go.

Well, more like submitting the forms in my place and threatening me with bodily harm. Then driving me, shoving me out of the car…

It all worked out. I'd thank her for the abuse later.

"So…" Sophie began. "I take it the week went well?"

Sophie's curly black hair battled against the Georgia humidity, challenging the hair tie that barely contained them like a piece of yarn around an overstuffed suitcase. She'd dressed in a red tank top and denim cut-offs, with chunky sandals that kicked up gravel with each step. She sipped at her drink, eyeing me expectantly and waiting for me to start talking.

The smile that tugged at my face then was entirely involuntary. "You’re not going to believe it.”

In spite of Sophie's constant pestering, I didn't say another word, silently leading her to the welcome building. My heart raced more and more with each foot closed between us. Theo was there, overseeing visitor consent forms and… I'll be honest, I spaced out when they were talking about it. The words were too big for my Little brain.

Campers and their loved ones bustled in and out of the welcome center. Like a beacon, Theo stuck out to me the moment I stepped into the building. Maybe the sun wasn't reflecting off their rosy hair like a prince in a Disney movie, but it sure looked that way. I chose to believe that it was.

"Who are… they?" Sophie asked, squinting to see the pronoun badge on Theo's lanyard.

Heart pounding against my ribcage, I took a step forward. I could practically feel Sophie's eyes boring holes into the back of my head, but the sound of her shoes scuffing against the floor followed me.

As I approached, Theo seemed to sense my presence. "Hey, sweetheart," they cooed, opening their right arm without even lifting their head from their clipboard.

Sophie's silence was deafening.

"Hi, Da."

"Da?" Now she had something to say.

I nuzzled into Theo's neck, distracting them while my hands tugged at the hem of their tie-dyed T-shirt. They giggled and squirmed, my fingers tickling their exposed stomach. "What are you doing, silly boy?"

Theo finally looked up, their attention flickering from me to Sophie. Most people wouldn't have noticed the glimmer of apprehension that flickered across their eyes then, but I did. "Trust me," I whispered.

"With my life…"

They didn't have to say the words out loud. Their expression did it for them. They set their paperwork aside and shoved one hand into their back pocket, the other helping me raise their shirt to expose their ribcage.

Recognition flashed across Sophie's face, and a slow, devious—familiar smile curled her lips.

My jaw hit the floor. "You knew?"

Sophie's silence told me everything. Theo squirmed next to me. "Alright, little love; I'm getting cold."