Bossy Baby by Athena Steller

Two

Mac

Mac pushed the cart down the chip aisle at the grocery store. Chips, cookies, popcorn. He was loading up on everything he thought that Hayley might like. Mac didn’t eat at home, instead dining in restaurants or picking up fast food, so he needed to fully stock his kitchen. Mac’s boy would not starve on his watch.

He was thirty minutes into the shopping trip and he was growing frustrated. There were so many choices. And some of them were just plain weird. He really hoped Hayley didn’t like bubble gum ice cream. That sounded nasty.

Grabbing the closest bag of chips to him, he dropped them into the cart before pushing forward. This was hard. Harder than he’d thought a simple shopping trip should be. Next time he’d rope Mitch into coming with him. See if Mitch would ask Avery along. Mac couldn’t ask Avery himself as Jace still didn’t allow Avery to even talk to Mac. Stalk a guy for a few months and his Daddy gets all irate.

He rounded the corner into the beverage aisle and checked out all those options. Shit, should a boy even have soda? That wasn’t healthy. Mac couldn’t stand the taste, personally.

Another cart clipped his as they tried to pass.

Annoyed, Mac looked up ready to snarl at whoever hadn’t been paying attention.

“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t watching… Mac?”

Of course. It was his boy. His cute, sweet, happy boy. Mac tried to relax his facial muscles so he didn’t send the boy running away.

“Hi, Hayley,” he greeted him. He needed to show that he was happy to see his boy. He tried to remember everything Mitch had told him the past few months. “I’m happy to see you.”

“You are?” Hayley grinned, but his smiled dropped quickly. He peered around Mac. “Why?”

Mac didn’t like it when Hayley didn’t smile. He’d been honest. He was happy to see Hayley. Mitch had told him to be honest. But Hayley wasn’t happy. Mac cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head, a habit he had around his boy. Hayley was the only person alive who made Mac nervous.

“Mac?”

“I’m happy to see you because I felt like something went wrong yesterday. You seemed upset when I left.”

Hayley shook his head. “I wasn’t upset. Not really. I just… Can I ask you something?”

Mac pushed his cart as close to the shelf as possible so he wouldn’t be in the way of other shoppers. He knew how to use his manners. Manners were important. Haley had excellent manners. “You can ask me anything. I want us to be able to talk openly.” Communication was apparently important in a relationship. According to Byron anyway.

“I don’t understand…” Hayley waved his hand. “Never mind that. I wanted to ask you…do you have a family at home?” He looked down into Mac’s cart. “You have kids, don’t you? Of course, you do.”

Mac frowned. Kids? Why would Hayley think he had kids? Did Mac come across as a family man? That was a joke. Maybe Hayley was messing with him. Although he’d never thought Hayley was mean. “I don’t have kids.”

“But?” Hayley stepped closer to him. “The junk food?”

“I…”

“I can’t see you eating this stuff. Husband? Wife?”

What the hell? Why was Hayley acting so strangely? He growled. “I am not married.” If he was married, why would he go see Hayley every week? He’d go more often, every day, but Mitch had said no more stalking.

Hayley shuddered when Mac growled. Mac instantly felt bad. Now he was scaring the boy again.

“Boyfriend? Girlfriend?” Hayley asked quietly.

“What?” Mac barked.

Hayley jumped.

Frustrated, he rubbed the back of his head again. “I don’t understand you,” Mac said.

Hayley didn’t back away. Instead he put his hands on his hips as he pushed his chest out. “I don’t understand you, either.”

Mac reached for Hayley, wanting to put his mouth on Hayley’s cute lips, but quickly caught himself. He lowered his arms.

“See!” Hayley pointed at him. “You confuse me.”

“You confuse me more,” Mac shot back. That might not be the most grown-up thing to do, though.

Hayley glared at him, which was absolutely adorable. Then grinned. “Are you single or not?”

“I am.” Mac was surprised enough to answer automatically.

“Good, then you need to take me on a date.”

“A date,” Mac repeated.

Hayley nodded. “If you’re single, and I’m single, we should go on a date.”

Mac frowned. “I’m supposed to ask you on a date.”

“Well, I asked you first,” Hayley responded with sass. “And it’s going to be a good date.”

“A good date,” Mac repeated. He could probably plan a good date. Probably. He only needed a few days, weeks, okay, maybe a month. That was a lot of pressure. He started to sweat.

“Right now.”

“Wait. What? Now?” Mac repeated dumbly. He couldn’t take Hayley on a date right then. He needed to call Mitch. Or someone. He had to have help. He’d never gone on a date before.

“Yes, now,” Hayley said. “I think if I give you too much time to think about our date, I might never see you again. So you are going to take me on a date right now.”

He rubbed the back of his head harder. Things had gotten out of hand. He had no idea what to do. He wanted to go on a date with Hayley, but this wasn’t how he’d thought the date would start. “What about the groceries?” he asked helplessly.

“Do you really plan to eat all this crap?” Hayley flicked a finger at the bag of chips.

“You don’t like…?” He waved his hand at the items in his cart.

“Me?”

“Yes, you,” Mac growled again. “Who else would I be shopping for?”

“I don’t know,” Hayley answered. He shook his hips.

He was a little spark of sass. Who knew?

“I thought you were married!”

“I’m not married!”

“Well, I know that now,” Hayley snapped. “Wait. What do you mean you were shopping for me? Why?”

“Because I wanted to make sure I had food in my house when I brought you home. I didn’t want you to be hungry.”

“Huh,” Hayley said. “Okay. There’s just one thing.”

“What?” Mac didn’t mean to snap. Hayley just kept winding him up. He didn’t like feeling out of control. In his line of work, being out of control meant that he’d end up dead.

“I don’t actually eat any of that crap you have in your cart.”

Mac looked at Hayley’s cart. It didn’t have many items, but they all appeared healthier than what he’d chosen. “I thought you might like—” He waved his hand.

“I own an organic shop. I eat organic. I definitely don’t eat all that processed sugar.”

“Oh.” He’d fucked up.

Hayley surprised him by sidling up to him. “You were really shopping for me?”

“I’ve been trying to get everything perfect,” Mac confessed. “I bought a house. It has a pool. You said that you like to swim for exercise.”

“I did? I mean, I do.”

“I came in right after you opened one morning. Your hair was wet. You said that you’d gone swimming at the community college pool. I thought that you’d like to be able to swim whenever you wanted.” Plus skinny dipping was a thing, right? Would Hayley swim naked? Mac would love to see that.

“Mac.”

“I decorated the house,” Mac said. “I think you’ll like it. You could change it though. If you want.”

“I’m sure I’ll love your house.” Hayley threaded his fingers through Mac’s. “I would have liked to help. I love decorating.”

“I fucked up.”

“No, I think that we’re both trying too hard.” He lifted Mac’s hand and kissed his knuckles. That totally counted as a kiss! He couldn’t wait to tell Mitch. He had so much to tell his friend. But first he needed to take Hayley on a date. He could do this. Hopefully.

“Let’s go have our date.” Mac looked around the grocery store, hoping inspiration would strike.

“Yes! I’m so excited. This is going to be so much fun.”

“Fun,” Mac agreed. Although he didn’t know how to be fun.

“Let’s go.” Hayley tugged at his hand.

Mac let Hayley led him out of the grocery store, both leaving their carts in the middle of an aisle. He sort of felt bad about that, but he happily followed along, even if he had no idea where they were going. Once they were out in the cool November morning, Mac looked around. There was a park half a block away. They both wore long-sleeved shirts. It wasn’t too cold. Probably one of their last nice days before winter made its presence known.

Several shops and stores lined the street along the way to the park. That gave him an idea.

“Come with me,” Mac said. He tugged on Hayley’s hand.

“Where are we going?” Hayley asked as he skipped next to him.

Mac turned a smiled for the first time that day. “On our date.”

Hayley

Hayley couldn’t believe that he was skipping down Main Street with Mac holding on to his hand. And they were going on a date. He’d managed to get a date out of the big guy.

There was a lot he didn’t understand from their conversation. Like Mac buying a house with a pool for him. That was…strange, but so sweet. Mac was always so sweet to him. He was a little odd, Hayley could admit. But Hayley liked that Mac wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met before. Hayley had his own quirks, after all. His mama always said that it would take someone special to win Hayley’s heart. Mac was already halfway there.

“Would you like something to eat? We could take it to the park and have a picnic,” Mac said.

“A picnic! That’s a great idea.” Hayley jumped up and down. He could feel little Hayley wanting to come out and play. He had to rein in little Hayley though. Didn’t want to scare Mac away before their first date actually took place.

“So, food?” Mac questioned. He was beaming down at Hayley.

“The deli?” Hayley asked. “They have the best avocado tomato sandwich. I was going to stop there on my way back from the grocery store.”

“The deli it is,” Mac said. He didn’t let go of Hayley’s hand, which made Hayley super happy. He liked holding Mac’s hand.

It was such a nice day that the narrow street was crowded. As they passed other residents, he had to press up against Mac. Heaven.

He was so going to fantasize about this whole day when he was in his bed all alone. Although maybe his bed wouldn’t be empty for much longer.

Mac held the deli door open for him. Such a gentleman.

Hayley waited until he felt Mac’s hand on his lower back before strolling to the counter.

“Hi, Mr. Collins,” Hayley greeted the old man behind the counter. He slipped his hand back into Mac’s. It was just natural for him.

Mr. Collins grinned. “Two of my favorite customers!” He waggled a bushy eyebrow. “And together?”

“I was lucky enough to talk Hayley into joining me for lunch in the park,” Mac said. He was obviously friendly with the older man. Hayley had to wonder why he’d never run into Mac there before.

“A picnic in the park?” Mr. Collins smiled. “A wonderful idea. This nice weather won’t last long. Perfect day for a picnic. I’ll get your order to go right away.” He turned and started barking orders at his son in the kitchen.

“We didn’t order,” Mac whispered to him.

Hayley giggled. “I always get the same thing. He knows my order.”

“I too am a creature of habit,” Mac shared.

“You two, sit, sit. I will have a very nice meal packed up. Everything you will need for your date.”

“What if it wasn’t a date?” Mac asked Hayley quietly.

“Well, you are holding my hand,” Hayley pointed out.

Mac squeezed his hand. “I am.”

Hayley didn’t think he could smile any wider.

“We didn’t pay, either,” Mac told Hayley.

“Is it possible that he’s more excited for our date than we are?” Hayley asked.

The old man was moving faster than Hayley had ever seen. He was filling cups, grabbing napkins, and putting everything into a brown paper sack.

“We should let him have his fun. I’ll slip some money onto the counter before we leave. He has a family to support. Three grandkids in college.”

How often did Mac come to the deli for him to know that? This wasn’t close to where he lived so unless he worked close by…wait, Hayley didn’t even know what Mac did for a living.

He turned to ask and caught Mac gazing at him with affection.

Hayley blushed. How long had Mac been watching him?

“What?” Hayley asked embarrassed.

“Sorry. Nothing. I was just wondering how I got so lucky to be going on a date with you.”

It was so great that Mac wasn’t playing games. Refreshing. Hayley had dated a few times since he’d moved there, but nothing really serious and never anything that he felt would last. No one that he could see himself letting his guard down with.

No one he’d seen as a Daddy.

The Doms he’d met, both in person and online, didn’t know what to do with him. The fact that Hayley knew exactly what he wanted threw them off. They expected since he had no practical experience that they’d be able to lead him to what they desired. Hayley might not have a Daddy yet but he was still a boy. He knew what he liked. Hayley just needed a Daddy who accepted him just the way he was.

Hayley gazed at Mac as Mac glanced around the deli.

Would Mac accept Hayley once he knew about Hayley’s desire to be a little? He seemed to be pretty open-minded, but being a Daddy to a little wasn’t something most men thought about. There was a chance that Mac might think he was weird.

Knowing he’d have to explain his desires to Mac eventually made him nervous. He kept telling himself that if his partner couldn’t accept him as he came, then he didn’t deserve him. It was easy to say, though.

He wanted to get to know Mac better, but was that fair?

Hayley needed to tell Mac. Maybe after their date. That way Hayley would have one good date in case Mac thought he was a weirdo and disappeared on him.

That was exactly what he would do. Tell Mac after their date.

Mac

After Mac slipped money under the register, he led Hayley out of the deli. They walked toward the park hand-in-hand, enjoying the sunny day, Hayley chatting happily. Mac didn’t say much. He never did. Just enjoyed the sound of Hayley’s voice.

Mac wanted to ask Hayley if he could push him on the swings or something once they reached the park. He wasn’t sure how Hayley would take that, though.

Hayley would make the best boy.

No one, not even Mitch, knew how long Mac had actually been watching Hayley.

He’d seen Hayley the day he’d driven into town to check out the place would be his home. The buddy who had sent him information on the town had thought it would fit Mac’s needs perfectly. How right that call had been, Mac was still shocked by.

Driving down Main Street, Mac had parked to do some recon on foot.

Hayley had just stepped out of his shop.

It was the smile on Hayley’s face that Mac couldn’t take his gaze from. Mac had never met anyone as genuinely happy as Hayley. He’d been cute as a button in a bright yellow shirt under black overall shorts. The outfit had seemed strange at first, but the longer Mac had stared at the boy, the more intrigued he’d become.

He’d watched Hayley for weeks before Grant had caught his attention.

The drugs on the street had led to several young men Hayley’s age dying horrific deaths. Hayley wasn’t involved with that crowd, but Mac had made it his mission to rid the city the evil waste to protect boys like Hayley.

Researching the detective, Grant, had brought to Mac’s attention the life that Grant and his friends led. He’d learned about Daddies and their boys. He’d been more than intrigued and started picturing Hayley belonging to him in that way.

Hayley was just a natural boy to Mac.

Fate had a funny way of fucking with Mac, though. Just as he’d started to get close to Hayley, Caleb had wandered into Hayley’s shop and they’d become friends. Mac’s two worlds collided.

Caleb, Mitch, Avery, and their Daddies knew the truth about Mac. Knew what he’d spent his life doing. And they were friends with the boy he wanted to claim.

It was a complication that Mac hadn’t figured out what to do about.

Hayley could never know what kind of monster Mac was.

Now their lives were intertwined even more, Mac cared about Mitch and the other boys.

Having feelings for the first time in his adult life was screwing with his head. Still, he must be doing something right since he was on a date with Hayley.

If he had time, he’d call Mitch and freak out a little bit. No time for that, though. Mac needed to think of all the ways he could impress the boy.

Mac knew that with his protectiveness and natural dominance, he could care for Hayley. Could give Hayley all he would ever need. Mac had money, time, and all the resources in the world to offer his boy. Hayley obviously loved his shop. It was apparent in the way he spoke of it and how lovingly he tended to the customers. Hayley listened and advised, never turning anyone away. Maybe Mac could help him expand.

Of course, once Hayley belonged to him, Mac had no intention of ever letting the boy out of his sight.

That was a worry for the future. They’d reached the entrance of the park and Mac had to turn his attention to wooing Hayley.

“Do you want to sit at a bench or on the grass?” Hayley asked.

Mac looked around, spotting what looked like a nice shaded spot under a tree. It was also farther away from the rest of the people. “How about there?” he suggested.

“That looks good.” Hayley released his hand, darting to the spot that Mac had pointed. As he raced away, he looked over his shoulder. “I’ll save the spot!”

“Be careful!” Mac yelled.

Too late.

Hayley turned around just as he tripped over a large rock.

It was as though what happened next did so in slow motion.

Hayley started to fall. He stretched out his arms, but Mac knew this was going to be bad.

Mac dropped the food and ran toward his boy.

“Mac!” Hayley screamed, just before he slammed into the ground.

Mac had never run so fast in his life and he’d often run for his life. He crossed the ground in long strides, but it was late.

Hayley screeched as Mac dropped down by his side.

“Hayley!”

“My arm! My arm!” Hayley cried.

Mac stared down at his boy’s bleeding arm. A piece of bone had actually pierced Hayley’s flesh. “It’s okay.”

“Hurts!” Hayley screamed.

They were gathering quite a crowd. Mac carefully lifted Hayley into his lap. No one was allowed to get close to his boy, especially when Hayley was hurt. “It’s okay, baby,” he murmured. He tugged off his long-sleeved shirt and wrapped it around his boy’s arm. Hayley screamed, but it needed to be done. Mac didn’t even notice the cold in just his white undershirt.

“I’m sorry. I know that hurts. You broke your arm. I’m going to take you to the hospital. It’s going to be okay.”

Hayley turned his head into Mac’s shirt while sobbing.

“Oh man, that looks bad.” A young guy in his twenties stepped closer. “Do you want me to call an ambulance?”

“An ambulance will take too long,” Mac said. He moved to his knees before rising, Hayley still in his arms.

“Hey, everyone,” the guy said. “Back up. Give them room.”

Mac appreciated the help. He watched the crowd, warily making sure there was no other danger to his boy. Deeming the area safe enough, Mac took off at a quick clip. His car was still parked in the grocery store lot. He needed to get there quickly. Hell, he would run all the way to the hospital if he had to, or at least jog to his vehicle.

“Hang on, baby. This is going to get bumpy.”

Hayley tried to answer, but he was sobbing too hard.

“It’s okay. I’ll take care of you,” Mac promised. He cradled Hayley to his chest and jogged. He tried to be as careful as possible. He didn’t want to injure the boy more.

He could feel the blood soaking his T-shirt.

Mac was used to blood. It didn’t bother him. The scent had comforted him in the past, as long as it wasn’t his own. This was worse, though. He couldn’t do anything for Hayley but get him safely to the hospital as soon as possible.

First time he got to spend time alone with Hayley and his boy had a broken arm. He’d failed. But that was something that he would deal with later. Hayley was all that mattered.

He sped up when he reached the parking lot of the grocery store.

Hayley whimpered.

“I know, sweetie. Almost there.”

Mac reached his SUV. He had to juggle his hold on Hayley but finally managed to pull out his keys. He unlocked the passenger door using the key fob and gently set Hayley down.

Hayley kept clinging to Mac’s neck with his good arm.

“You have to let go of me, baby. I have to get you to the hospital.”

“Don’t leave me,” Hayley cried.

“No,” Mac assured him. “I’m not going to leave you. Just get you all taken care of.”

Hayley peered up at him with tears in his eyes. His lower lip wobbled. “Promise.”

“I swear.”

“Okay.”

Mac brushed the hair off Hayley’s sweaty forehead. “Just hang in there for me. We’re going to get you all fixed up.” He straightened, making sure that Hayley was all the way in the vehicle before carefully closing the door.

He rushed around to the driver door and practically tore it open.

Mac jumped inside and got the SUV started. “Hold on, boy.” He put the vehicle in gear.

Driving as quickly as he could while still being safe, it took Mac less than six minutes to get Hayley to the hospital. He pulled up in front of the emergency room doors and slammed the SUV into park.

Getting out, he almost tripped over his own feet before he ran to the passenger side and yanked open the door.

Hayley reached for him with his good arm.

“Let me get you a wheelchair.”

“No.” Hayley shook his head. “You carry me. I like it when you carry me.”

“Okay, baby,” Mac responded. “I’ll carry you.” Hayley was getting weak, probably going into to shock. Mac carefully lifted him up before turning for the entrance.

He strolled through the entrance, looking around, and spotted a male nurse heading toward him.

“You!” Mac barked. “Come here.”

The nurse did a stutter stop, but his eyes dropped to Hayley cradled to Mac’s chest. Probably to the blood covering both of them as well. He rushed over. “Is it just his arm? Did he hit his head?”

“Just the arm.” Mac was sure. He would be seeing Hayley’s fall every night in his head for the rest of his life. It had been terrible, being too far away to stop Hayley from getting hurt.

“Follow me,” the nurse, Sammy the name badge read, ordered.

Mac didn’t argue.

Sammy led them past the waiting area, check-in desk, and through a pair of double doors. They turned left down the first hallway before making a right.

Finally the emergency room came into view.

“Take him into room three and set him on the bed. I’ll grab the attendee so we can get some pain meds into him. That break has to hurt.”

“It does,” Hayley said in a small voice.

“I know, sweetie.” Mac kissed the top of his head. “But you’re being so good. So brave. Sammy is going to help you.” Or the nurse would face Mac’s wrath.

“I’ll hurry,” Sammy jogged off as Mac turned toward the room they’d been directed to.

He walked inside the small room, surpassing a shudder. Mac hated hospitals. He’d killed many men inside them. It was so easy to get in and out. There were a lot of ways to make a death appear natural or a result of why the person had been admitted in the first place.

Hospitals just weren’t safe.

His boy would be safe, though. Mac would make certain of it.

Mac set Hayley down on the bed. Running his palm down Hayley’s cheek, he wiped away the dirt and tears. “Won’t be much longer and we’ll get some good drugs in you.”

Hayley nodded.

“We need to get a gown on,” Sammy said as he entered the room.

Mac took the gown from him. “I’ll do it.” No one else would be touching his boy.

“He can keep the pants on, but the shirt has to go. We’re going to have to get X-rays.”

“X-rays?” Hayley asked.

“They have to look at the X-ray to check on the break. That’ll tell them if your arm can be set with a cast or if you need surgery,” Mac explained.

Both Hayley and Sammy stared at him.

Shit, he probably shouldn’t know that. But Mac was good at his job. Sometimes before killing a mark, he needed answers. Knowing what bones to break and how was important. “I watch a lot of medical dramas on television,” he tried to explain away.

“Uh-huh,” Sammy didn’t sound convinced.

Hayley was fading fast, no energy left.

“Scissors? I want to cut his shirt off. It’ll hurt less.” It took time and a lot of maneuvering before he was able to get the shirt off and gown on. He helped Hayley lie down on the bed before pulling up the blanket.

“I need to get an IV started,” Sammy said.

Hayley took one look at the needle and paled.

“Look at me,” Mac ordered. He turned Hayley’s face so the boy didn’t have a choice.

Hayley blinked watery eyes.

“You pay attention to me. You don’t worry about what Sammy is doing.”

Hayley nodded. “S…sorry I messed up our date.”

Mac pulled the chair against the wall closer to the bed. He sat before he threaded his fingers in Hayley’s hair. “You didn’t mess up anything. This is just a small detour.”

Hayley’s lips trembled. “I’m not usually this much trouble. I promise.”

“Baby.” Mac leaned closer. Sammy could hear every word they said, but all that mattered was reassuring his boy. “You aren’t any trouble. This was just an accident. That’s all.”

“I feel so stupid.”

“Not stupid,” Mac barked. “And I don’t want to hear another word like that.”

Hayley flinched which probably meant that Sammy had the needle in.

Mac tightened his fingers in Hayley’s hair. “So what do you want to do after this? Go sky diving? Bunging jumping? Oh, I know! How about zip-lining?”

Hayley giggled.

“I’m giving the pain meds now,” Sammy said quietly.

Mac nodded but kept talking to Hayley, coming up with the most outrageous activities they could do until Hayley’s eyes drifted closed. His boy tried to fight it and stay awake, but with Mac rubbing his scalp and talking softly, he finally drifted off.

“That will allow him to rest until we can get the X-rays,” Sammy said. “I’m going to check on where the doctor is. Be right back.”

Mac nodded but didn’t let his gaze leave his sleeping boy. One of them had to stay alert.