I've received feedback that my chapters are a bit long and it's true. I apologize! Even worse, this is the longest section of the story. But, I have broken these large sections up into much more managable chapters. It's the best I could do. I appreciate your readership.
Chapter 14: Dad Jokes
I couldn’t sleep any longer. I finally gave up after tossing and turning and just got out of bed. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more I should have done yesterday. Instead, I let my panic get the better of me and acted like an ass to two of the kindest police officers I’ve ever met. ‘Keven’ called me out on it with the utmost gentleness and reminded me that Ollie was all that really mattered. I can’t believe how out of control I felt. Just three hours of Ollie being missing, and I completely unraveled. That’s not supposed to be me. I’m the steady one. The dependable one. But with Ollie, everything is different. He’s my first and only real love - my equal in every way. And yet, deep down, he feels like my younger brother too, someone who needs my protection and guidance. It's double duty, and yesterday, I failed on both fronts.
And what about Ollie? He was completely out of it all day yesterday and didn’t get to say much. I have no idea how he’s going to feel about all this, but I know I’ll be there for him no matter what. I keep reminding myself it’s okay, he’s safe. We can deal with anything we need to. His father might still have some power over him, but I’ll make sure he never hurts Ollie again. That’s my focus. That’s my job.
It was just after 7:00 when I heard a knock on the door. I knew it had to be Ted. Sure enough, when I opened it, there was my “uncle” with a hopeful grin and a Whataburger bag in hand.
“Hey Corey,” he said, stepping inside, “I just couldn’t survive the whole workday without seeing my favorite co-op student. I brought breakfast.” He raised the bag like it was a trophy.
“Hey Ted!” I pulled him into a bear hug, “Thanks for stopping by. Come on in. I know Ollie wants to see you. He’s still asleep, but it’s time to get him up for at least some water and a check on how he’s feeling.”
We dropped the food off in the kitchen and made our way to the bedroom. There was Ollie, sprawled out across the center of our bed, his curls forming a messy broken halo around his head, still completely dead to the world. The blanket draped over him rose into an impressive tent over his groin, a structure large enough to house a troop of Boy Scouts.
Ted raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “I knew it. Both my boys outclass me.”
I objected earnestly, “No way, sir! You know you’re my uncle and his dad.” I motioned toward Ollie, sprawled in blissful oblivion. “We’ll both always look up to you. And, come on, this just gives you more ‘dad material’ to give him a hard” - I smirked - “time about. Besides, Ollie was top dog the other night. I loved it, had no idea it could be that amazing. But honestly, I couldn’t help thinking, ‘Why couldn’t I have found a boyfriend with a standard-sized husband dick?’”
Ted half-heartedly laughed, shaking his head. “For the last 20 years, Chris swears that’s the only reason I get to be top dog every once in a while.” He chuckled, but then his face brightened. “I’m glad you can handle Ollie. Don’t share this, but… damn, he was happy the morning after that happened. Our pup is growing up.”
I blinked, a little surprised. “Damn, he really must think of you as his father. I can’t believe he told you that.”
Ted grinned. “Hey, we’ve got to talk about something during our commutes. Frak… I’m really going to miss those.”
I gave Ted quick side hug and moved over to my sleeping Ollie. Even though it had been weeks since he last flinched when I woke him, I kept my touch super gentle this morning. I rested my hand lightly on his chest, feeling its soft rhythmic rise and fall beneath his cute little island of blond fur. “Hey, Ollie boy,” I said softly. “Time to wake up and tell us how you’re feeling.”
My pup stirred faster than I expected, probably because of all the sleep he got yesterday. As he stretched, he did the move that never failed to ignite my desire - arms up above his head, body arching like a young lion waking in its den. His blond pit tufts fully exposed, perfectly matching his little chest patch, his scruffy beard, and the golden curls that weren’t hidden beneath the bandages. God I wanted to immediately dive in and ravish my boy. But, he’s hurt and, well, one of our dads is here, already getting a front row seat to Ollie’s… morning enthusiasm.
Ollie’s crystal blue eyes blinked open, squinting at the light before focusing on me. “Hey, pup,” I said, grinning. “How do you feel?”
I noticed Ollie grimace slightly as he stirred, his face scrunching in discomfort. “Argh! Dang! Is this what a hangover feels like? If so, I’m never drinking. Wait, did I just say ‘dang’? I might need to upgrade to actual swear words. This hurts.”
I chuckled softly, brushing my hand through his curls. “It’s not a hangover, pup. You’ve got a nasty concussion, sixteen stitches, and a lump the size of our great state of Texas. But don’t worry, we’ve got pain pills if you need them. And as your devoted Norse God,” I added with a playful smirk, “I’m prescribing you some breakfast first. Trust me, you’ll want food before taking the meds. And you have a very concerned dad here waiting to see you.”
Ollie instinctively leaned up to kiss me, his lips brushing mine with a tenderness that melted my heart. But then his gaze dropped, and his eyes went wide as he looked down across the tented blanket and noticed Ted, smiling warmly from the foot of the bed. I’ve never seen a concussed patient get his wits together faster. In a blur of white cotton, Ollie yanked the pillow from behind his head and launched it over his, er, morning situation, creating a makeshift modesty shield.
“Hey, Dad! Er, Ted!” Ollie blurted, his cheeks flushing a brilliant shade of pink. “I’m so sorry about missing our big day yesterday.”
Ted settled onto the edge of the bed near Ollie’s waist, his chuckles slipping out despite his best efforts to stay serious. “Ollie, I don’t think a co-op student has ever had a more legitimate excuse than you did. And before you start over-apologizing, don’t worry, we’ll survive without you this week. Just focus on healing up, Sport.”
Ted saw Ollie’s eyes open wider, so he softened his look, and switched to a comical voice to break the tension. “Hey now, ‘Ollie, I am your father,’” he quipped in a cheesy Darth Vader impersonation. He gently placed his hand on Ollie’s cheek, his eyes filled with warmth. “Ollie, you were just voted ‘Co-op Student of the Term.’ You were almost arrested, and you’ve got a more-than-mild concussion. You’re good for a week off. In fact, I’ll be spending Thursday and Friday with you. You have my permission to ‘play hooky,’ and hey, I get to play too. I love you, son. Oh, and I brought breakfast.”
I watched as Ollie’s expression shifted. I wasn’t sure if he fully grasped everything Ted had just said, but he could feel the sincerity. He leaned up and embraced Ted in an Ollie hug. I knew firsthand how therapeutic those could be, and the look on Ted’s face told me how much he needed it.
Ollie pulled back slightly; his blue eyes locked onto Ted’s. A soft, radiant smile spread across his face. “I’ll survive my downtime with you,” he said, his voice sincerely appreciative. And then, as naturally as breathing, he added, “Dad.”
Damn, I love him. I love him so much it hurts. All Ollie ever wants is to return love to those who give it to him. He’s so pure, so good. I swear, if I ever meet his real “father,” it’ll take every ounce of self-control I have not to throttle him on sight.
Ollie broke the moment with an innocent, slightly sheepish grin. “I’m really starving, um… well, I can’t remember if I ate yesterday.” He looked over at me, his face quizzical, as though he knew that I could fill in the blanks.
“Hey, pup. You were on a lot of meds yesterday, so it’s normal for your memory to be a little hazy. Depending on how you’re feeling, you might still need a few more today. They won’t mess with your memory, but like I said, you’ll need food before you take them. And yeah, you haven’t eaten anything since breakfast yesterday. And according to your new friend, Officer Kevin, you lost that breakfast way too close to his shoes.”
Ollie blinked for a moment, a vacant stare clouding his face. Then, his eyes widened. “Oh my lurd! I remember now. I was going to be arrested. My father… he reported my Bronco as stolen.”
Ted and I both saw the darkness spread across Ollie’s face, and it was like a reflex - both of us leaned in, surrounding him with our comfort. Ted’s hand found his shoulder, while I cupped his face, pulling his gaze back to us.
“It’s okay, Ollie,” I said firmly. “We’ve got you. Don’t worry about any of that right now. Let’s focus on getting you up and fed.”
I slipped into nurse mode as I added, “What’s your pain level?”
Ollie blinked, confused. “Um, like… what?”
I smiled. “Sorry, occupational question. On a scale from 1 to 10 - except it’s really more like, ‘no big deal,’ ‘hurts pretty bad,’ and ‘holy crap, I’m dying.’ So… which is it?”
Ollie scrunched his nose adorably as he pondered. “Um… I think it’s a hard 6? Maybe a soft 7?” As he started to get out of bed, the covers slipped away and his not quite flaccid cock was suddenly on full display to the world.
Ted burst out laughing, clearly catching Ollie’s choice of words and how they hilariously fit in with his current situation before I did. I smirked, shook my head, glanced at Ollie’s pride and embarrassment, then joined in the laughter a second later. “Well, at least you’re consistent, pup.”
Ollie flushed, finally realizing what he’d said and that we always slept nude. “Frak me! I didn’t mean… So, Corey, are you sure you couldn’t give me the meds that mess with memory?” He gave Ted an apologetic look.
Ted waved him off, still grinning. “It’s fine, son. I’m okay being the low dick on the family totem pole. And hey, Corey’s the one who has to deal with your… level. I just get to laugh about it.” He patted Ollie’s shoulder and added with a wink, “This is definitely dad joke material for the next family dinner.”
I chuckled, leaning down to kiss Ollie on the forehead. “Okay, enough jokes at the patient’s expense. Ollie, let’s get you up and moving so you can eat something. Food, pain meds, and then we’ll get you showered. Sound good?”
Ollie smiled sheepishly, glancing between me and Ted. “Fine, but only if no one ever mentions this again.”
Ted winked. “Sure thing, Sport. Unless it’s at the most inappropriate time possible.”
Chapter 15: Assessing the Damage
I tried my best to save what little was left of Ollie’s modesty, positioning myself between him and Ted while steadying him as he slipped on a pair of tighty-whities. Once we had all his, uh, ample assets covered, we guided him down the hall and into the kitchen, where Ted’s breakfast offering awaited.
Ollie’s memory must have slowly started to come back, and he stopped cold in his tracks the moment his eyes landed on the big, unmistakable bag of Whataburger food sitting on the counter. His expression morphed into something between queasy and mortified. Ted caught the look and quickly said, “I thought you were a big fan now, Ollie.”
Ollie’s response was meek, almost sheepish. “Um… I was. Until it became the last thing I remembered from yesterday. At least I didn’t get any of it on Officer Barrett’s shoes.” His eyes darted back to the bag as if it might betray him again at any moment.
Ted’s face fell and he looked completely defeated. I quickly jumped in with my best attempt to lighten the mood. “Hey, Ollie, when in Texas…” I paused for dramatic effect. “When you get bucked off the ‘Bronco’ - sorry, bad choice of words - you gotta get right back in the saddle as soon as possible.”
That earned a small laugh from both Ollie and Ted and the awkwardness in the room quickly faded. Ollie stepped forward, cautiously sniffing the contents of the bag, as if the food inside might jump out and attack at any moment. Finally, he simply said, “Thanks, Ted,” his voice a little stronger now. “It smells wonderful. And yeah, I’m starving.”
We each dug into a biscuit sandwich and a breakfast taco. Ollie’s growing enthusiasm was infectious. By the time Ted left for work, his near defeat had been replaced with a big smile and a visibly relieved conscience.
****
I handed Ollie his morning pain pill and he gratefully swallowed it as we made the way to our bathroom. “Alright, pup, the pill shouldn’t knock you out, but it’ll probably make you a bit loopy. So, let’s get the gauze out of your hair, assess the damage, and then get you into the shower.”
“‘Assess the damage?’ My sweet Norse God, we need to work on your bedside word choice,” Ollie quipped, flashing me my signature smirk. Lurd, how does he manage to be so adorable even when he’s clearly in pain?
“Fair point,” I chuckled, holding up my hands in surrender. “Let’s just say that the attending doctor from yesterday mentioned that your golden curls might need a little overhaul.” I hesitated and caught myself. “Wait. I mean… a simple haircut. Ugh, dang it. I thought you were the one who got flustered trying to explain things to me.” I gave up and leaned down and kissed my wise old boy.
Ollie saved me and just grinned. “Good thing you’re so handsome and hairy. Now, come on, you’re good at pulling painful Band-Aids off, let’s do this.”
Taking his cue, I leaned down and kissed him softly before beginning the delicate task of unwrapping his curls. Layer by layer, the gauze gave way to the uneven tufts beneath, revealing the mess the medics had left behind. But the stitches were clean, and the wound looked surprisingly good. “Everything looks great, pup,” I reassured him, catching his eye in the mirror.
His tentative smile was all the reply I needed. I continued, “The stitches are looking great. I’m honestly impressed,” I said, stepping back to admire the doctor’s handywork. “I think we can safely get you into the shower and I’ll wash your hair for you. But, um… when was the last time you had a haircut?”
Before he could answer, I started stripping off my clothes, and then gently sliding his undies down his blond muscled thighs. I couldn’t resist; as Ollie stepped out of his tighty-whities, I gently cupped his balls and leaned in for a kiss.
Ollie faintly blushed as we parted, despite the meds. “Honestly? Not since I’ve been here in Texas. Curly hair kinda gives you a long grace period, and, well, finding a barber never made it to the top of my ‘critical things to do’ list. Maybe I should’ve gotten it done after I moved in with the dads. Is it bad?”
I didn’t have a hand mirror to show him the damage, so I grabbed my phone and snapped a couple of pics, holding it up for him to see. Ollie squinted at the screen before his eyes widened in mock horror. “Damn! I look like a shaved poodle in the rear!” His laugh was genuine, but I could tell the pill was starting to kick in.
“Don’t worry, pup. Like with everything else, the dads already have you covered. We’ve got a trusted family barber. You’ll be in good hands,” I said with a wink, guiding him carefully into the shower. The warm spray enveloped us, and I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close as we lost ourselves in a slow, sensual kiss.
I carefully kept my pup’s head away from the spray to keep the wound dry. My hands worked over the rest of his body, lathering up every inch of his beautiful form, each stroke a physical reminder of how much I loved him. The taut lines of his lean frame, the soft blond fur dusting his sternum, arms, legs and tummy; it all felt like a miracle under my fingertips. It was like touching him for the first time all over again, and my heart swelled with a joy that made the world outside the shower melt away.
The pill was definitely taking over. As much as Ollie’s face told me he was loving our fun shower time, his body reflected the blissful haze he was slipping into - his amazing cock never got past a slight plump. Meanwhile, mine was hard as steel. I just ignored it, focusing entirely on him. I turned the dial, redirecting the water to the handheld shower wand, and gently started wetting his curls.
We began face-to-face, his dreamy, hero-worshiping gaze locking with mine as I carefully dampened his longest locks. I couldn’t resist leaning in to boop his now definitely stoned nose, earning a soft, goofy smile in return. As I worked my way to the back of his head, I turned him around and I let my hard cock rest between his cheeks. I cradled him against my chest as I carefully washed the dried blood away from his curls. My hands were steady, my movements deliberate, taking care not to irritate his stitches. Thankfully, Ollie seemed way more interested in humping my hardon than being concerned about my ministrations in his curls.
After his curls were as washed as I could get them, We just stood together. Me holding him with my arms wrapped securely around his abdomen. It felt like pure heaven. The warm water flowed over us, reconnecting us as if the chaos of yesterday had never happened. I kissed his neck and shoulders, savoring the moment. He leaned into me, fully trusting, fully mine.
I could have stayed here forever, but I knew I had to let the moment end. With regret, I turned off the water and reached for a towel, carefully drying him off first, then myself. Ollie was clearly an absolute lightweight when it came to pain meds; his hazy, glassy eyes made me smile despite the worries still lingering in my head. Guiding him back to bed, I tucked him in beside me, wrapping him in my arms as we settled in for a morning nap.
There would be time to talk through all the ugly details later. For now, I was just grateful to hold him close.
Chapter 16: Blocked Calls
Our nap lasted about 90 minutes, and as late morning settled in, we dressed and moved back to the kitchen table. Ollie was making up for yesterday’s lack of food by polishing off a second biscuit and the last breakfast taco. It seemed his mistrust of Whataburger was officially over. While Ollie was focused on eating, I knew it was time to steer us toward the conversation we couldn’t avoid.
“Ollie,” I began gently, “are you feeling okay enough to talk about yesterday?”
He looked up at me through his extra frizzy soft curls, his expression serious but calm. “Sure. I’ve been trying not to think about it, but I guess it’s time, right?”
I reached across the table and took his hand in mine. “So, why do you think your father reported your Bronco as stolen? Didn’t he say you could have it while you were in Texas?”
Ollie dropped his gaze to the table, his shoulders slumping slightly. From our time together, I knew it was the look he gave when he thought he’d done something wrong - a look I’d grown to recognize and tried my best to dispel. “Yeah, he said that. But… Well, I swear I tried my best… It’s just, well, he would never answer my calls. And I called a lot.”
The weight in his voice broke my heart. I squeezed his hand tighter, fighting back my own emotions. “What do you mean, Ollie?”
“When I left Michigan, I was only supposed to be down here for the spring term,” he explained, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t know I’d be staying longer until the summer and fall schedules came out. When that happened, I coordinated staying here for the summer with Ted and my advisor at UM. They both agreed it made the most sense. Like I said, I tried to tell my father, but… he never answered my calls.” A single tear escaped, trailing down his cheek.
Before he could look away, I cupped his scruffy cheek, brushing the tear away with my thumb. “It’s not your fault, pup. You did everything you could. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
I paused, trying to approach this as carefully as I could. “There’s something else I need to ask. It’s about what the police said yesterday, while you were sleeping. We know the Bronco is in your father’s - Richard’s - name because you were too young to own property when he gave it to you. Other than your insurance card showing you as the primary driver, do you have anything else that could prove it was intended to be a gift? Oh, and I’ll need your phone’s call history.”
Ollie blinked, his face suddenly brightening like a switch had been flipped. Without a word, he jumped up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me toward the garage. He opened Bronco’s passenger door and rummaged through the glovebox, his movements growing more eager by the second. Finally, he let out a triumphant, “Here it is!” and held up an envelope with a display of glee I hadn’t seen since Monday’s nightmare.
“What is it?” I asked, totally infected by his excitement.
He handed it to me with a proud smile. “It’s a card. I’ve kept it with me all this time. It helped keep my confidence up through some really rough moments of doubt when I was living in Walmart parking lots.”
I opened the envelope carefully, revealing a “Congratulations Graduate” card. My grin spread wide as I read the words inside. Yeah, this is going to make a huge difference.
****
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening curled up on the couch, swapping stupid childhood and high school stories. Ollie’s enthusiasm was contagious as he described his love for football. I couldn’t help but imagine him on the field, all six-foot-three of him, dominating the game. He admitted, “If my father had shown a little more support, I maybe could’ve been going to college on a football scholarship instead of my academic one.” His face saddened just a bit, the smallest shadow passing over his eyes before he smiled again. “But hey, no regrets. I love where I am now.”
Hearing that felt like a kick to my gut. Ollie had every reason to carry some bitterness over his father’s neglect, but instead, here he was, finding joy in the choices he’d made. Once again, I realized just how extraordinary my pup truly was.
“Ollie,” I said after a moment, “I know this is kind of a big question, coming out of left field, but… if you had other college opportunities, would you be open to taking them?”
His head tilted in adorable way, exactly as if he really were my pup. His crystal-blue eyes caught the soft light of the room. “I mean, I appreciate UM. But, it’s just where I was preordained to go. I’ve never really thought about anyplace else. Because let’s be real - there’s no way I could afford anything else without the scholarships they’re giving me.”
I smiled, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “That’s all I needed to know. And I get it, completely.”
****
We kept things simple and ordered pizza for dinner, from the same place we’d shared for our first night together in “my” house. The nostalgia wasn’t lost on either of us, and as we ate, Ollie leaned against me, reminiscing about our memory from so long ago, er, or maybe just two months. I couldn’t resist giving an internal amazed chuckle. As our day wound down, he took one last “big” pain pill and declared he’d switch to ibuprofen in the morning.
Once in bed, I pulled him close, my arms wrapping protectively around his healing body. My aching hardon nestled into his rapidly re-furring crack, my nose buried into his curls, breathing in his scent. “You make me so happy,” I whispered against his neck.
Ollie murmured something I couldn’t quite make out before sleep claimed him; his even breaths soft against my chest. I smiled into the dark, my heart full, knowing I’d get to wake up beside him all over again in another wonderful morning.
Chapter 17: Ollie’s Return
I woke up bright and early, almost feeling like myself again - well, aside from a dull headache. But that didn’t matter. I was in my happy place: wrapped in Corey’s arms, being his little spoon. If I could freeze time, this would be my happily ever after. The real world though, had other plans. In just a few months, I’d have to return to Michigan. Still, I promised myself I’d savor every minute of the life I was building here, with Corey and the dads, before that time came.
I snuggled deeper into Corey’s chest without thinking, and while I didn’t mean to, I accidentally woke him. “Hey,” he murmured sleepily, his voice a warm rumble. “Someone’s feeling a lot better this morning. What time is it?”
I glanced at my Apple Watch and realized my alarm hadn’t even gone off yet. “I’m sorry, Mr. Wolf. It’s only five till six. I think I’ve just slept too much over the past couple of days.” I shifted in his arms, rolling over to kiss my man. “I could go make breakfast and you could sleep in a little longer if you wanted to.”
Corey’s eyes softened, but the glint of his inner nurse, bursting at the seams was impossible to miss. “I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he said, stroking my curls. “But you know you’re supposed to take it easy the whole week, right? My sweet, concussed boy.” He leaned over to kiss my forehead before giving me his real good morning kiss - slow, tender, and all consuming. Damn. Two months in, and his kiss still made me feel like my world was suddenly spinning in reverse.
“Besides,” Corey continued, grinning, “today’s Dad’s day to come over to Ollie-sit. I made sure to tell him we’re on a Whataburger detox, so I’m sure he’s bringing something special.”
I furrowed my brow, puzzled again. “That’s awesome, I know I’ll have a great day with Chris, but… what’s going on? I mean, Ted’s spending tomorrow and Friday with me too. Did I miss something?”
Corey smiled, his nurse mode fully kicking in, “Pup, you have a serious concussion. Don’t worry, you’re going to be fine. But it’s good to have someone around this week while you’re recovering. Just in case you get dizzy or nauseated. Think of it as a well-deserved staycation with the dads.”
I sighed, teasing him. “So basically, I’m being grounded to the couch?”
“Not grounded - pampered,” he corrected, flashing me his mischievous grin. “Enjoy it while it lasts. And guess what else? Today’s your big haircut appointment! Dad worked his magic to get you in with Ricky. Trust me, you’ll love him. He’s a genius, and he’ll get your curls looking sharp again.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Okay, you’ve sold me. Let’s get ready for Dad 2.”
Corey’s eyes sparkled as he reached for my hand. “Great. First stop: the shower.”
I happily followed my wolf into our shower and patiently waited as the water finally got warm enough to get in. When steam finally began to fill the space, Corey pulled me into his arms. We kissed under the cascades and once again reveled in our mutual young love.
I didn’t just feel cared for - I felt completely adored. Being with Corey wasn’t just love; it was safety, passion, and home all wrapped together. His strong, furred chest pressed against my back as he spun me around and spooned me from behind. I let myself melt into him, his lips brushing against my neck, as he held me close. His hard monster nestled between my cheeks once again. Every moment reminded me just how lucky I was to have found him.
I was instantly hard as steel and I welcomed Corey’s hand slowly jacking my cock as he teased my hole with his erection. This is one of our favorite morning positions when we can find the time. I took advantage of our situation and doused my palm with my favorite hair conditioner, slathered up Corey’s masterpiece and then put the rest around my expectant hole. I aimed Corey’s manhood at my entrance and he didn’t disappoint.
It had only been since Sunday night, but hey, for a horny 19-year-old, that’s a lifetime. I treasured the sweet burn as my wolf slid his unsheathed cock into my willing hole. He held me tight, with his bearded cheek against mine as he went balls deep and I relished in the feeling of once again being taken by my wolf. Damn my father, life doesn’t get better than this.
I know he sensed my need, my desperation, to reconnect with him, short as our separation may have been. I arched my back into him, coaxing him to go as deep as he could. I still have issues taking him this deep in missionary, but when he takes me from behind, animalistic and raw, it’s pure euphoria for both of us. And every thrust of his oversized cock across my prostate was driving me crazy.
It's hard to explain the goofy sounds you make when your lover’s cock is rearranging your intestines, but I swear, every sound is true and representative of how you’re feeling as it’s happening. Corey is my world and he’s in total control at the moment. I knew my wolf was getting close already. I guess you don’t have to be a horny 19-year-old to feel deprived when you’re used to almost daily incredible orgasms.
Corey started whispering into my ear in between sweet nibbles, “I’m really close pup, you ready?”
I suddenly realized that I wasn’t, but I was so loving everything thing, that there was no way in heck I was going to ruin Corey’s pleasure, so I simply replied, “Yeah, Corey, please make me yours again, I need it.” Cheesy? definitely; true? even more definitely.
Three grunts and a rib crushing embrace later I could feel Corey’s warmth filling my soul again. I wasn’t kidding or being clever, I really needed that feeling of Corey breeding me. It made me realize that my life is wonderful despite my father’s efforts to the contrary. I didn’t cry, but I definitely let a sob-like shiver out as we kissed through Corey’s climax.
As Corey recovered he quickly slipped back into Nurse Mode, and realized that, for the first time ever, I hadn’t reached our mutual mountain top with him and he was instantly concerned. “Ollie, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. It’s too soon and you’re not feeling right yet.”
I spun around in his slippery embrace and kissed his worry away, “Corey that’s absolutely exactly what I wanted - way more than those dang pain pills. I needed every second of that. But I don’t know what’s wrong with my dick. I mean, I can get hard - duh, but as soon as I thought I should be close, I realized my dick wasn’t cooperating. At the risk of sounding like a teen public service announcement, ‘Kid’s, Drugs are Bad!’”
Corey hugged me and chuckled, “Give your body a day or so to get everything out of your system and I swear, you’ll have the best orgasm of your life.”
Just then, we heard a knock at the door followed by the sound of Chris walking in, giving an exploratory “Hello!?”.
Corey hollered back, “Hey Dad! We’re in the shower; we’ll meet you in the kitchen in a sec!” I collapsed into my man’s blond furry chest and hugged him while I felt his essence slip out of my well-used hole and down my leg. Corey helped me clean up - I mean, he is a nurse - then we dried off and got presentable for our other dad.
Chapter 18: Ricky’s Magic
I was the first to make it into the kitchen, immediately wrapping myself in Chris’ arms. My emotions were bubbling over again, but I guess that’s becoming my new normal. I said the first thing that came to mind, “I love you, Chris - er, Dad 2,” as he kissed my forehead. “Thank you for coming over to spend the day with me.”
Chris smiled, his arms tightening around me. “Ollie, you don’t need to thank a dad for doing his job.” He paused, his voice softening. “But I know you… you have to be our Ollie; you couldn’t be any other way.” Then, just to lighten the mood, he booped my nose, and I let out a surprised laugh.
From behind me, Corey chuckled. I turned to give him a side-eye, and he quickly looked away, pretending he didn’t notice a thing.
But I wasn’t letting it go. “So, are there any looks, smirks, or habits that y’all don’t share?”
Chris laughed, shaking his head. “Pretty much ‘nope.’ You and your dad number one have effectively married the same man.” He caught himself and quickly added, “Er, I mean, are in love with the same man.” For the first time, I saw Chris stumble over his own words. It was endearing. He cleared his throat and smoothly pivoted, holding up a large paper bag. “Anyway, Ted said to lay off Whataburger for a while, so I brought La Madeleine.”
Lurd! The smell was incredible. I peeked into the bag to find a small feast: two quiches, three “American” breakfast croissant sandwiches, and a couple of dessert croissants that looked way too decadent for breakfast. Definitely not Texan, but I wasn’t complaining.
I couldn’t help but blurt out my first thought, “Well, guess I’ll have to skip the speedos at the pool after eating all this.”
Chris laughed, “Well, damn, I brought my trunks. I thought we could just spend the afternoon at the pool after getting your hair cut at 9:30.” He gently placed his hands on my shoulders, spinning me around to survey the damage. “Wow, Ricky’s got his work cut out for him this morning.”
I glanced back over my shoulder and gave Chris my best sad puppy look. It worked like a charm. “Don’t worry, pup. Ricky will give you an amazing new look.”
I resisted the urge to let out a playful “pant,” chuckling to myself. This pup roleplay was getting out of hand - except it wasn’t. I absolutely loved it.
We split the quiches and each had a breakfast croissant, savoring every bite. The meal was incredible. We decided to save the sweet stuff for an afternoon snack. Corey dressed and headed to the clinic, leaving me and Chris to get ready for the day.
As I dressed, Chris prepped me for my upcoming haircut adventure. “So, Ricky is fantastic,” he began. “Maybe a bit over the top, but he’s meticulous to a fault. He loves to take his time and make sure every hair is perfect. Oh, and don’t be surprised if he asks you to take your shirt off for the cut.” Chris caught my raised brow and smirked. “He says it’s about seeing the man as a whole. Whatever. Just go with it - I swear you’ll be thrilled with the result.”
I won’t lie, I was yet again experiencing a bit of a deer-in-the-headlights moment as Chris explained Ricky’s methods. But any apprehension melted away the instant I saw Ricky’s private studio, housed in an old mansion on an unbelieve, secluded little street named “Chase Court”. “Cool” didn’t even begin to describe this place, and “genius” didn’t do Ricky justice either. He greeted me with a hug like we’d been lifelong friends, and from that moment on, I was putty in his talented, scissored hands.
Chris gave Ricky the rundown on my situation, and I swear, every few minutes Ricky would pause mid-trim to give me a reassuring hug. And yes, I was shirtless - per Ricky’s insistence - but under a barber’s cape, so it didn’t feel like a big deal. Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure what the point was, but it seemed to help Ricky stay laser-focused, like it gave him a clear vision of his goal.
Ricky was nearly finished when he handed me a mirror to assess his progress. I braced myself to face the damage. I was a little stunned at first - seeing the rough spots up close wasn’t easy - but before I could dwell on it, Chris and Ricky both wrapped me in quick, comforting hugs.
Deciding to ignore the bad, I focused on the good - the finished result.
Damn! I’d never had my hair this short, but it absolutely worked. My curls were now tamed into a sleek, more adult style. I still had bangs and curls flowing on top, but with short, almost shaved, sides and back. I couldn’t stop staring. I loved it - it looked awesome.
That’s when Ricky took it to the next level. “Ollie, would you trust me to trim up your beard?” he asked with a challenging twinkle in his eye.
I couldn’t help but notice Chris sitting on the edge of his seat, silently willing me to say yes to Ricky’s offer. Taking the hint - and maybe feeling a bit curious myself - I agreed. Once again, Ricky worked his magic, and I discovered just how intimate and soothing a beard trim and straight razor shave could be.
The precise movements, his fingers’ light pressure on my neck, and the somehow masculine sounds of the razor scraping my stubble away - everything about it was mesmerizing, and damn, even erotic. In fact, I may have gotten a bit fluffed, but thankfully, the cape hid any evidence of my… enthusiasm. Or at least, I hoped it did.
When Ricky handed me the mirror for the last time, I was stunned. Forget “baby beard!” I was sporting a beautifully sculpted full blond beard that looked like it belonged on the cover of a men’s fitness magazine.
Chris and I gave Ricky our final hugs as we left his magical lair, and I swear, I was floating two feet above the ground. Nothing boosts your confidence quite like a great haircut and beard trim. For the first time since my almost arrest, I felt genuinely good about myself.
Chapter 19: Age Is a Number
As soon as we returned to Corey’s - er, our house - Chris and I changed into our trunks and headed out to the pool loungers. Chris glanced at me and pinked up once again as he caught sight of my nearly obscene trunks from Skivvies. He chuckled and said, “Yep, you could definitely be my son.” I assumed that was a “dad joke” on how well I filled them out.
I laughed, unable to resist teasing him back. “Speaking of, remember, Corey’s the one who convinced me to get these.” I continued, “And, Dad... you aren’t exactly being modest over there yourself.” My new family’s signature smirk seemed to come naturally to me now.
Just like his son, Chris raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling. “Point taken. And I’m glad you got to meet Justin. He and his young husband are always a hit at pool parties. Plus, Corey said you held your own with him really well.”
I couldn’t let that go. “Yeah, Justin’s great - after we got things straightened out. But, um, how young is his husband?”
Chris stretched in his lounger, relaxed but amused by my obvious curiosity. “Justin’s 50, and his husband just turned 30. They’re fantastic together, but I won’t lie, they definitely turned some heads when they first declared their intentions.”
I know my eyes glazed over as my thoughts focused on that age difference. Chris noticed and gently pulled me back into the moment. “Hey, Ollie, love doesn’t always follow the rules we think it should. The heart knows what it wants, and when it finds it, the mind just has to accept that the unexpected has become reality.”
I nodded slowly, letting his words settle. Then he added, almost as an afterthought, “You scared Corey on Monday. Badly. He felt so helpless when he realized he couldn’t immediately fix everything for you, or possibly even get to you. I know my son; he loves you more than anyone he’s ever known before. You are his world, Ollie. He’s level-headed, but...” Chris hesitated, looking at me with a knowing glint. “Just be prepared if he has any big ideas he wants to share with you.”
I couldn’t help but return a quizzical look, but Chris just gave me his smirk - the one Corey had so obviously inherited.
With our unexpected serious moment behind us, the rest of the afternoon was pure bliss. We lounged in the sun, and dipped in the, er heated, pool when we needed to cool off. Even in Texas, May pool water isn’t quite warm enough without a little help. Chris told me it was one of those paradoxical things Texans looked forward to every spring.
****
Corey got home just before six, long after Chris and I had traded our swimwear for more appropriate evening attire and were in the kitchen putting the final touches on a lasagna. The smell of garlic and baked cheese filled the kitchen, but it couldn’t distract Corey from what he saw as he walked through the door.
I couldn’t believe my wolf’s face when he saw the updated me. He froze in his tracks and nearly dropped his keys. His reaction was priceless and completely unfiltered. “Ollie… um, fu - I mean, damn. Ollie, you look incredible. You are still my pup, right? You weren’t replaced by some hot 25-year-old model while I was gone, were you?”
I couldn’t suppress my joy as I wrapped myself around his scrub-covered chest. “I’m so happy you like it! I mean, it was scary AF seeing so much of my hair on Ricky’s floor.”
Corey’s hands slid up to cup my newly-sculpted beard as he pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. “You’re beautiful, Ollie. I mean, I already knew that, but dayam! You clean up good.” His words made my butterflies take flight. Fluttering all around my heart.
Chris chuckled as he moved to the kitchen doorway, interrupting our moment. “Well, I’m glad our efforts today were a success. Now, I’ll leave you two lovebirds to enjoy dinner. I’ve got to go meet Ted for ours.”
He pulled us both into a quick hug before slipping out the door, leaving us wrapped up in each other’s arms.
Chapter 20: Nurse Corey
As we were cleaning up the kitchen after the absolute best lasagna I’ve ever made, I finally had to confess something a little embarrassing to Corey. “My Norse God, I think I have a new problem.”
“What’s up, pup? Do you need another pain pill?”
“No!” I said quickly. “I’ve really loved feeling like myself again today. I don’t wanna seem preachy, but I have no idea how people get addicted to those things. I hate how out of it they make me feel.” I shook my head at the thought - unfortunately, that was a really stupid mistake that made my head throb.
Corey saw me wince and smiled sympathetically. “Okay, no more unnecessary head shaking. So, if it’s not pain meds, what’s up?”
I hesitated for a moment. “Well, um, I haven’t… I haven’t had to use the bathroom since Monday morning before I left for work. Is that bad?”
Corey’s face relaxed, his concern melting into his familiar playful smirk. “Aww, Ollie! It’s a super common side effect from the meds they gave you at the hospital and the ones you’ve taken at home. It’s no big deal, but I know it’s uncomfortable. Lucky for you, you live with a nurse who loves seeing your cute little furry butt. Do you trust me pup?”
“Oh no,” I giggled, “why do I get a little shiver every time you ask me that?”
Corey gave me a knowing grin and leaned in. “Remember our little awkward fun before I had to shave your hole and taint? Well, I think we need to do that again - for a completely different reason.” He gently cupped my cheek, his thumb grazing the edge of my beard. “You trust me, right?”
“Of course I do,” I murmured, my heart suddenly racing.
“Good. Then follow me to the bedroom,” Corey said, in a very seductive voice, “because Nurse Corey is officially on duty and it’s time for a little medically necessary fun.”
This time, I didn’t hold back. He knew I secretly wanted to do that again, so I shamelessly slipped into a playful puppy beg, panting with a grin that matched my enthusiasm. Corey just chuckled, ran his fingers through my shortened curls, and led me toward the bedroom exactly as if he were taking his favorite pup to the dog park.
He directed me to strip after we entered the bedroom, as he continued on to the bathroom. He finally returned, now also naked, carrying a big towel, two clear plastic liquid filled bottles with thin nozzles - just like the ones I’d been so embarrassed about all those weeks ago - and a larger black bulb with a thicker, longer wand attached. The sight of them made my face flush, but I couldn’t deny my horny excitement bubbling just under the surface.
“Ollie,” Corey began, “if you’re okay with it, we need to do a deeper cleaning to help your system get back on track. The opiates have slowed things down, and this will help get everything moving again.” He set the items down gently and stepped closer to me, his hand brushing along my arm. “You told me before that you liked what we did the last time, even though you were embarrassed. This is a bit more involved, but it’s similar.” His gaze intensified, and he tilted his head with a small, mischievous smile. “So… do you want to play pup?”
My dick had already responded. And Corey took notice. “Good boy! Here’s the game, I know you’re also concerned about what you weren’t able to accomplish this morning.” He sat down on the spread towel and scooted toward the center of the bed, once again, presenting his furry lap to me. “So, pup, I know you haven’t been bad, but why don’t you lie down across my lap, let your hardon squeeze between my thighs and allow me restart both your systems.”
My cheeks could not get any redder, and my dick couldn’t get any harder. This was nasty. Kinky. And I was absolutely quaking with excitement. I jumped on the bed and kneeled beside Corey, My dripping cock pointing across his lap. Before I could lower myself across his thighs, he whipped out our lube bottle and coated my aching hardness. When I made contact with his furry quads, I was able to squeeze my dick between them with just the right amount of friction.
Corey played his role with expertise. He parted my cheeks and started massaging my happy hole with a lubed finger. I started whimpering, and it wasn’t role playing. “Okay pup, let’s make this as fun as possible, we’re not in a clinic now.” He smacked my cheek for emphasis, I moaned. “Here we go baby.” And his finger suddenly got my undivided attention.
I was lost in ecstasy, slowly humping between Corey’s muscled quads while enjoying his finger dancing with my hole and prostate. As usual, I nearly protested when his finger finally had to leave. “Okay pup, unlike last time, we do want this liquid to go deep. Here’s the first bottle.” I felt the thin nozzle easily slip past my barrier. As Corey squeezed, I felt the warmed solution enter my gut. It’s such an interesting sensation, and all my feelings were amped up due to my submissive position and the fact that Corey was going all erotic nurse on my ass.
I felt the nozzle pull out and the second enter as Corey explained, “You’re a big boy, here’s the second part. Just relax and let it flow in.” And I did, as I once again restarted my humping between Corey’s thighs. I was rewarded with another sharp slap while I felt more warm liquid entering my body. Unlike this morning, I knew I was going to easily crest my summit. In fact, I was getting close already.
Corey again interrupted my inner monologue, “Okay pup, here’s the hard part - timing!” I uttered a confused ‘huh?’ “I have one more bottle of just saline to make sure the first two doses go as deep as they can. I’m going to administer it slowly and hopefully time your big finish just as the bulb empties. How are you feeling my boy?”
“Damn I love kinky nurse Corey, I’m really close. I’m ready.”
There was zero professionality here, only naughty pleasure. Corey started, I’m sorry - fucking me - with the much larger nozzle and it was absolutely mind blowing. Every stroke was hitting my prostate perfectly, giving me jolts of erotic pleasure. My humps between Corey’s thighs were already getting dangerously erratic.
After maybe 10 more strokes, I was barely able to utter a completely overstimulated “Corey, I’m cumming!” before I let lose one of my all-time biggest loads. Corey continued his part and shoved the nozzle in deep, causing a final rope of cum to coat his thighs. I probably made some all-new embarrassing noises. But, hey, it was a whole new level I hadn’t even known could exist.
Corey slowly removed the final nozzle and gently rubbed my reddened cheeks as I came down from the summit I was so grateful to have returned to. “Damn Corey! That was kinda mind blowing. Please don’t make me have another concussion before we get to do that again.”
Corey laughed, “Deal pup, but there are other more appropriate toys we can use. In about 10 minutes, you’re not going to think this little episode was all that fun.” I looked back over my shoulder to see his apologetic face mouth “sorry”. And dang, Corey knows his stuff, 10 minutes later, I didn’t want anyone near my bottom. But hey, both problems solved.
Chapter 21: Ted’s Olley-Day
I think I’d said this before - right before catastrophe struck… Dang, I felt good! Once again, I woke up in Corey’s arms on a beautiful, sunny morning. His soft, contented purr filled the room as the first rays of light crept through the curtains. Our song, so obvious and perfect, played through my mind - the No Rain lyrics reassuring me that I’d always have someone with me when I woke.
This time, I managed to slip out of Corey’s arms and bed without waking him. I caught my reflection in the mirror and instinctively reached up to tame my curls, only to stop and smile. Oh right, there’s not much left to tame. Dang, Ricky. You’re a genius. Grinning to myself, I padded off to the kitchen, already planning my morning masterpiece.
I texted Ted, knowing he’d be up as early as I was, and told him I had breakfast under control. Giddy with purpose, I got to work on my favorite meal of the day. The kitchen soon filled with the enticing smell of sizzling bacon, sautéed peppers, and onions for our omelets. It wasn’t my fault the wonderful aroma woke my wolf up just a little earlier than normal.
Corey stumbled into the kitchen, his hair tussled and his tighty-whities bulging in all the right places. He growled sleepily, “Dang, Ollie. I could really get used to waking up to this every morning. Love you pup.”
My own mostly naked body wrapped itself around his, and I melted into his chest before nuzzling my face into his pit, breathing him in. “Love you too, Wolf.” I tilted my head back to offer him a proper good morning kiss.
Right on cue, Ted’s familiar chuckle interrupted us. “Get a room, you two. Oh wait, this is your house… Ah, do I need to step outside?”
Corey and I broke apart with matching grins, only to immediately engulf Ted in a tight, warm hug. His initial surprise melted into acceptance as he laughed. “Okay, okay, I get it. Dads need hugs too, I’m not complaining.”
I backed up just enough to look into Ted’s eyes. “Love you Dad.” His misty-eyed smile told me that those words meant just as much to him as they did to me.
My omelets were a huge hit, and for a while, we simply enjoyed each other’s company, laughing and talking as if the last few days had been nothing but a bad dream. It wasn’t until Corey was about to leave for work that Ted suddenly jumped up, clearly remembering something.
“Wait! Don’t go yet!” Ted hurried out to his car and returned with a small, neatly wrapped box. He handed it to me, stopping Corey in his tracks.
“Ted! What did you do?” I asked, feeling a little overwhelmed. I know it’s silly, but I’ve never been comfortable with unexpected gifts, especially when I don’t feel like I’ve done anything to deserve them.
“Ollie, son,” Ted said, his grin infectious, “consider this another step in becoming a full-fledged Texan.” Over my shoulder, Corey chuckled knowingly. Once again, it seemed like everyone but me was in on the secret.
I did not cry. At least not immediately. Inside the box was a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro. Ted must have noticed my wobbly expression because he quickly added, “Hey Sport, you needed an upgrade, and a dad who will never cut off your service.”
That did it. I was in his arms, letting maybe a couple tears soak into his shirt. Ted held me tightly, his hand rubbing reassuring circles on my back, but he wasn’t finished. He gently pulled back, grinning from ear to ear.
“And Ollie, you may not understand this, but I managed to get you an 817 number.”
I blinked, utterly confused. “Um... thank you? Wait, is this another Whataburger thing?”
Corey smirked knowingly, but it was Ted who explained. “Ollie, back in the day, the Dallas area code was ‘214’ and Fort Worth was ‘817’ then things got complicated with ‘972’ and ‘469’ and a few other ones I don’t even know. But, my boy, ‘817’ means you’re a real citizen of Fort Worth, Texas!”
Suddenly, I got it. Ted wasn’t just giving me a phone; he was giving me a place to belong, a home I could call mine. My face broke into a smile as I threw my arms around him again. “Thank you, Dad.”
His simple, thoughtful, meaningful gift may have put my omelets to shame, but I was okay with that.
****
After spending some time setting up my new - and service activated - iPhone, I found myself just marveling at the thought of it. It felt liberating to have something that my father couldn’t take away, a symbol of security I hadn’t known in a long time.
As the excitement turned into contentment, Ted and I settled in for a day that mirrored my afternoon with Chris. Of course, he couldn’t stop gushing about my haircut and beard trim. “Dang, Ollie, I thought you looked great before, but Ricky really leveled you up.”
I chuckled, brushing a hand through my freshly styled hair. “Um, I guess I was a bit of a scruffy stray when we met?”
Ted laughed and shook his head, “Nah, you’ve always been a showstopper, son. This just makes it certified.”
The warm sunshine and the lazy ripples on the pool were mesmerizing, and I couldn’t keep my emotions in check. “Ted, when I call you ‘dad,’ you know I mean it, right? Like, it’s not just something I say for fun. I felt it the moment you became my mentor, but now… after everything that’s happened…” my eyes glistened. “I love you, sir. And thank you - for all of this. I don’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened if I’d been arrested for living in a stolen vehicle.”
Ted’s eyes mirrored mine, his voice soft but steady, “Ollie, I’ve told you before, I feel guilty for not stepping in sooner. But I never want you to forget this: you have two fathers, and a boyfriend, that you’ve always deserved. Don’t you ever doubt that for a second Sport.”
The sincerity of his words hit me, and I couldn’t help but beam. “Yes, sir!”
I decided to press my luck. I wish I could still blame it on the meds, but I think it’s just another part of decompressing my emotions. “Ted - Dad - this might not be what you want to hear, but you kept me brave enough to live in my Bronco.”
Ted looked at me with an unreadable expression, a mix of curiosity and concern. I rushed to continue before I lost my nerve. “I mean, this is probably stupid, but from day one, I knew you had me. Even if I didn’t really understand it, I felt it. Even when I was too scared to let you know what was really going on.” I took a deep breath. “The thought of you made me feel safe every night I was alone in that Bronco. You gave me something to hold onto when I didn’t have anything else.”
Ted’s eyes flashed, and I saw his lips press into a firm line, as if he were fighting back tears. He moved over and pulled me into another one of his rib-crushing hugs, his voice thick with emotion as he whispered, “You’re safe now, son. You’ll never have to worry about that again.”
The warmth of his embrace overwhelmed me, so I decided we didn’t have to end it. Before I realized it, I was dozing off wrapped in my muscle dad’s big arms. In that moment, I wasn’t worried about whether or not my Bronco stayed mine. It didn’t matter. I was in the right place - surrounded with love, safety, and family.
Chapter 22: Foundations and Fractures
Last night was the first time since my arrest that we were completely in sync again. I know we’re “young” lovers, but Corey knows exactly how to stretch my limits in the most amazing ways. We finished our coupling in our current favorite position: me on my side, right leg bent up to my chest, Corey straddling my left leg, leaning over my torso, passionately kissing me. All while thrusting deep across my blissed-out prostate. We found our rhythm effortlessly, finishing together - or at least close enough that it felt like we did. He has this way of making every moment feel perfect, even when life outside our bed is anything but.
I’ve been trying to accept what I’ve known deep down for a while: my father isn’t the man I once believed he was. No more excuses, no more picking and choosing the right memories. My formerly beloved father is a total piece of shit. I’d use one of my non-swear words, but let’s be honest, he doesn’t deserve my consideration any more. I’m just grateful last night reassured me that I’m in the best hands possible - with a new family I never knew I deserved.
As usual, I woke up before Corey. We both gave it our all last night, but giving credit where it’s due, he did more of the heavy lifting. He deserves a few extra minutes of sleep.
I decided to make a classic meal this morning: sausage, fried eggs, and - stealing from Corey’s cookbook - pancakes. The smell of sizzling sausage worked its magic, waking my wolf just in time to greet Ted for his second day of Ollie Duty. But as soon as I saw Ted’s face, I knew something was wrong. Ted wasn’t himself. His usual warm presence had been replaced by a sorrow that threatened to fill the room.
“Dad, what’s the matter?” I asked, stepping forward to give him his morning hug.
Ted returned the hug, but it felt hollow - like he was just going through the motions. His arms were there, but his heart wasn’t in it. I pulled back to look into his eyes and felt a pit form in my stomach. Seeing him like this was chilling.
“Ted… Are you okay?”
His voice was low and strained, like he was dragging every word up from the depths of his soul. “Ollie, I don’t know how to tell you this. I love you, pup, and I need you to believe me when I say that we all have you. Always.”
I felt the ground shift beneath me as I watched his expression crumble. My stomach clenched, and I swallowed hard. “What’s wrong?” I managed, though my voice sounded small even to me.
Ted hesitated, his eyes glistening as he searched for the right words. “This is going to be really hard, Ollie. Please, sit down.”
I moved to the table on autopilot, my legs feeling like lead. The pit in my stomach was growing, but I wasn’t about to lose my breakfast this time. Oh wait, I hadn’t even eaten yet. Great. I sat down, numb and bracing myself for whatever was coming next.
“Ollie, son, we can turn this into a good thing…” He started; his voice steady but uncertain. He looked into my eyes, and I could see he realized he’d just said the absolute lamest thing possible. His usual calm, grounded demeanor cracked for a moment, but he continued. “Your father called the co-op coordinator at UM and… well, he was furious and a complete ass. He once again accused you of stealing the Bronco and lashed out about you not returning to Michigan as planned. He… wasn’t exactly polite during the exchange.”
The pit in my stomach threatened to swallow me whole as Ted kept going.
“Your coordinator tried to defend you, Ollie. He even told your father about the award you won. He tried to tell him what an incredible job you’re doing here. But your father,” Ted clenched his fists and looked away for a second, as if trying to contain his own anger, “your father wouldn’t accept any of it. He threatened to involve the school in the legal charges he’d filed against you.”
Ted moved to my chair and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace. His solid chest, usually a bastion of comfort, felt unsteady. “Ollie, I’m so, so sorry. UM had no choice; they’ve removed you from their co-op program.”
His arms tightened around me as if he could somehow shield me from what came next. He released me but then trapped me in his resigned gaze. “And, Ollie… as much as it kills me to say this, our company, we… we can’t let you continue your summer co-op term either.” His voice broke slightly at the last word, his grief for me palpable. “Ollie, you have to believe that this hurts me more than you can imagine. You don’t deserve any of this.”
Once again, my father had found a way to slap me from the darkness of my nightmare. My nose may be figuratively bloodied again, but I was done shedding tears over Richard Carson. I knew I was totally fucked, but having Corey, Ted, and Chris on my side made all the difference. They weren’t just my safety net - they were my fortress.
As Corey joined us in our resumed hug, Chris made an unexpected appearance and noticed Ted’s somber expression as he entered the kitchen. “Well, it looks like you gave Ollie the news, and um, unfortunately I have a more to add.” He put a fatherly hand on my shoulder and continued, “Ollie, I want to stress that you basically have a whole city’s police force behind you, but here’s the news.”
“First the good part, both the Fort Worth and Michigan police departments have agreed, no charges are being pursued or held against you. Your Bronco is no longer listed as stolen.”
I felt the smallest flicker of relief before Chris continued, his face clouding with regret. “But your father is demanding you return the Bronco. He’s given us two options: we pay to have it shipped back or you drive it to Michigan yourself. He’s agreed to meet you in Ann Arbor instead of at the house.”
Chris’ voice softened as he added, “I’m so sorry, Sport. It’s the best resolution our attorney could get out of him right now.”
The weight of his words should have been crushing, but instead, I was filled with something else entirely, a kind of hardened resolve. “Chris… Dad 2,” I said, my voice steady even as my emotions threatened to bubble over, “you’ve done more than enough. You’re amazing, and I love you so much. Just tell me what we need to do. We’ve got this.”
Corey finally broke his uncharacteristic silence and entered the conversation with a gentle but determined look. “Hey, pup,” he said, his voice once again my steady anchor, “maybe it’s time for us to take a cross-country road trip. We can make it a fun getaway, just you and me, while the dads and the attorneys work with your old cell phone logs and that graduation card, to build our case.” His hopeful gaze locked onto mine, refusing to let go until I gave him a sincere smile and nodded.
This wasn’t bravado; This was certainty. With my family behind me, I knew this wasn’t an ending. It was just another chapter - sure, a totally frakked-up one - in a story I was going to give my all to win. And in that moment, I knew: it was Go Time again.
To be Continued...
