Daddy Dearest

Chapter 2: Shaky Thoughts

I'd like to think that I'm just a bit sexually frustrated. 

It's tough having a son that looks more beautiful than most females I've actually seen. Being a 34 year old single Dad, I haven't had a chance to date any women apart Susan. I believe I haven't aged badly. I do have more laugh lines by my eyes, but some would call that my charm, I guess. 

I always kept looking sharp in my suits and well polished shoes. My wavy hair was kept short and on point. So, in others words, I don't think I got butt ugly over the years. Especially with having a son like Jaden who goes a little over board in updating my clothing tastes.

Still though, I find myself quite protective of him after what happened. I'm not sure he likes it; who wants their parents breathing down their neck? No one. Certainly not me when I was his age. 

"Hey Blake. You're early today," Jaden greeted as he stepped into the house. 

Giving him a once over, I smiled at him. "I've already done my share of the work, now it's the Production Team's time to shine." As per usual, he came over and gave me a peck on the cheek. This would seem weird for a 17 year old kid to do, but I didn't find it strange any more. That's just the type of guy Jaden was. 

"You know, you're getting too old to be giving your old man kisses right?" I teased him as he walked into the kitchen. 

"You don't stop me, so amma kiss you as I please," I heard him say with a faint chuckle in his voice. 

"What if one day I start dating again? You're step-mother might get jealous," I threw back with the same teasing tone. More due to curiosity in seeing how he'd respond to me.  

Suddenly I heard something crash to the floor, and a hissed 'shit' came from Jaden. I rushed into the kitchen to find a glass cup shattered unto the floor and Jaden, who was trying to pick up the pieces with his bare hands, got cut in the process with blood dripping to the ground. 

"The hell? Are you okay? Come on. Leave that. I'll do it," I quickly said steering him away from the broken glass on the floor. "What happened?" The cut wasn't deep, but he always did bleed easily. He didn't answer me, but kept looking at his hand. "Jaden are you okay?" I asked concerned. "Did you get a flashback?" 

He looked up at me. Those perfect blue eyes of his, unreadable as they've always been, and tried a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I-I'm okay," then he leaned his small frame into me, like he'd always done, "I was just a little surprised." 

"Surprised. Why?" 

"Nothing you've got to worry about. You know, I'm probably just tired. I-I'll go take a nap," he mumbled and quickly withdrew his hand from my grip. 

"O-oh okay then. I'll call you when dinner is ready," I said and gave him peck on the top of his head. He took in a shaky breath before he nodded tiredly. I watched long legs swiftly going up the stairs as if he was trying to run away from something. 

My fatherly instincts were kicking in, I worried for him, but unlike with a daughter, boys were probably more difficult to handle. It's in a man's nature to be secretive about his emotions, while females usually wear their emotions on their sleeves. I sighed heavily after Jaden disappeared upstairs, wishing I could be of some actual help. 

What if that was his actual response to me dating? I'm pretty sure that bringing someone else into our family of two was going to make him nervous.

I'm the only one he seems to be able to touch without him going into a panic attack, and I'm more than happy with that. His hands always felt very warm in mine. He had the built of his mother, so his body naturally fit perfectly in my embrace but there was something more to him.