Rory nods his little head enthusiastically, beaming up at me.
I ruffle his hair. “Okay, what am I signing?”
“My jersey.” He points to his shoulder, and I bend down to his grasshopper height.
“I don’t have a pen.”
“I do.” Kali jumps in and hands me one from over my shoulder. Our fingertips brush as I take it from her. I like that she’s here witnessing this. The little touch of her fingers touching mine make me crave more. I wonder what it would be like to hold her hand and how her palm would feel wrapped around my dick.
Not now, Wade, there are children around.
“Can I take a photo for Wade’s social media?” Kali asks, and I want to roll my eyes at her question. Her marketing mind is never off the clock. She’s already taken video footage of the crowd and posted it online.
“Yes.” Rory punches the air. “Can you mention me? I want to show my friends at school on Monday. It’s Rory Allen,” he says matter-of-factly, and I twist my neck and look back up at Kali.
“You get that?” I chuckle as Rory spells it out while Kali taps furiously against the screen of her phone, taking his information.
“Age seven,” Rory states, dead serious.
“Got it.” Kali smiles wide when she looks up from her screen.
“Seven? Wow, you are really tall for seven.” I sign my name across his shoulder. “Are you sure you’re not sixteen? You look it,” I joke with him and wink up at his parents.
Grinning at me with a goofy smile, his two front teeth still growing in, he almost yells at me, “No silly, I’m seven today.” He giggles. “It’s my birthday,” he states proudly, puffing his little chest out.
“Happy Birthday, dude.” I playfully punch his shoulder.
“We’re in to get new Converse for his birthday. Wanted to pick them out himself because you wear them and then I saw you were here.”
Holy shit, this is a buzz and a bit of a head fuck. While I have been deep in the depths of my misery, lashing out and not considering my actions, I forgot that I’m a role model and kids Rory’s age are looking up to me. I really need to do better.
Kali’s hot, breathy voice dusts the shell of my ear. “Wade.” A shiver unlike anything I’ve ever felt weaves down my spine, my cock twitching, begging for her attention. I turn my head to where she is, our noses almost touching. She blinks, and I don’t miss her gaze dropping to my lips and back up. Blinking again, she says quietly, “Offer to buy them for him.”
Mouth dry, I can’t speak and blink back. We’re caught in a moment as time feels like it’s standing still. I could look at her forever.
“It’s rude to whisper,” Rory pipes up cheekily, snapping us from our trance-like state.
“Get in here.” I beckon him to move closer, and without hesitation, he does, and all three of us huddle in.
I love this little guy, big expectant eyes, and excitable smiles. He can barely stand still. “Want to know a secret?” My voice is low.
Rory nods his head a little too enthusiastically, making him look like a bobblehead. “Kali and I were talking about what I’m going to buy you for your birthday.”I’m fucking hemorrhaging money today.
He gasps, then turns around to look at his parents. “Wade’s buying me a birthday present,” he yells over his shoulder even though they are standing beside us, unable to contain himself.
I roll my eyes, pretending to be mad. “You are terrible at keeping secrets.”
“Oops.” He covers his mouth with his hands, giggling, with Kali joining in.
“C’mon, let’s pick a cool pair to make everyone jealous.” I push myself up to my full height, place my hand on his shoulder, and guide him over to the kid’s section. “That okay?” I ask his parents as we walk by, and Rory is already skipping away.
They both nod furiously. Rory’s mom’s eyes look a little glazed with emotion. “Thank you.” She reaches out and squeezes my forearm. “He’s had a tough year with friends.”
I hate hearing that. He’s too young to have any worries. “Bullies?” I take a guess.
“Yeah,” she confirms.
That makes me mad, my nose flaring in response. I’m going to make that kid’s entire year.
