Page 53 of The Forever Vault

“You sure know a lot about Jack Davies for someone who doesn’t like him.”

Ezra, for once, had no response.

“I was just teasing, Ezra.”

“Oh, I know.” He sighed. “I just kind of wish he wasn’t so gorgeous.”

“So you admit he’s hot?!”

“Of course! I never said he wasn’t, did I?”

I shrugged. “To be honest, I don’t remember. Too much has happened in too short a time frame.”

Ezra rolled his head back onto the couch. “Tell me about it. I don’t know how you’ve done this twice already and are still alive. I’m so stressed. I have fifty billion thoughts going through my head. This is, like, a really big deal. What if I blow it?”

“Motivation for next time? And if you don’t like that answer, then do your best this time. Try to not put so much pressure on yourself that you choke. Find something to take the stress away.”

Ezra chuckled. “That’s why I like the puppy play. For the pupspace.”

“The pupspace?”

“The headspace you get into as a pup. Interactions as pups are wordless. We can make noises, but it's all body language and behaviors. It’s extremely relaxing for me.”

“Do you want to be a puppy in here? Not offering to be your owner or anything, but if it helps you relax, then go for it.”

“It’s handler, not owner, but really? You’d let me do that.”

“I assume you’re not going to hump my leg or anything.”

“Well, fuck. I wasn’t thinking about doing that, but now I am.” His face burst into a grin. “Just kidding!”

I watched as he shifted in his seat and tried to hide the fact that he was adjusting his dick.

“Um, I’d probably just want to cuddle a little or lean against you. Have you never had a dog?”

I shook my head. “I’ve seen enough of them in real life and movies to imagine what you’d be like. It’s fine with me. If you do something I don’t like, I’ll tell you to stop. Simple as that.”

Ezra seemed to consider it for another moment. “I’ll think about it, Cam. I appreciate how comfortable you seem with the idea, and being such a good listener. Thanks for all of it.”

“It’s no problem at all, Ezra. I’m happy to help. It’s getting late. I’m going to shower up and hit the sack. You need the bathroom first?”

“Yeah, gotta pee and brush my teeth, thanks. I’ll be quick.”

“No worries. I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast.”

11

Lucas

“You drenched me.”

“I did what now, bro?”

“You just came all over me,” I mumbled.

Wait a minute. Bro?

I opened my eyes to see a beautiful blond man sitting on my bed, but it wasn’t Cam.