by Laurie Lochs
Clumsy Calloway: A M/m Regression Romance
Laurie Lochs
Copyright © 2020 by Samuele Langille
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Laurie Lochs
FREE story
Prologue
Calloway
"Wait up, Cal!"
I took a deep breath and forced myself to face my brother Peter. He was halfway up an enormous white pine in the middle of Montana. My knees were trembling and sweat was pouring out of my skull.
"I'm coming,” I muttered. “I promise."
Inside, I was dying.
Why did you let him talk you into this? You know you're afraid of heights. This is the worst idea ever.
My heart was beating out of my chest. But there was no turning back now. If I didn't join Peter at the top, he'd tell mom and dad I was a total pansy. That wasn't something I could deal with, not now. Not after they discovered my secret rocketship pajamas and stash of baby pacifiers I thought I'd hidden from the world in my top dresser. I had to prove to my family I was big and strong.
I glanced up at Peter. He was two-thirds of the way up the tree.
"It's okay, Calloway,” I murmured. “Start climbing. Don't look down."
I opened my eyes and searched for the first branch. I threw my arm up and began to ascend the trunk. I mounted over one branch after the other, not willing to slow down. I couldn't risk it. I needed to get there if it killed me.
At last, I joined my brother at the top.
"You made it!” Peter was beaming.
“I mean, yeah… But I don't know how the hell I'm supposed to get down."
Peter growled at me. "I'm telling mom you said hell."
I exhaled sharply and held onto the pine branches for my life, willing myself not to stare at the forest floor. Don't look down, don't look down.
Instead, I forced myself to stare straight ahead and take in the view. Truth was, the view was freaking spectacular. All around us, the Montana mountains rose in the sky. The sun shone brightly in the morning sky.
"It's beautiful,” I whispered. "Thank you for taking me here."
"Hey," my little brother said. "You did this all yourself. You proved you're not a pansy after all."
I groaned. "I'm not a pansy, okay? I'm just… Sensitive."
Peter laughed. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed my shoulder. Terror shot through me. "Hey!" I exclaimed, trying to shake him off. But he didn't let go.
My limbs trembled. The tree swayed beneath us. Letting curiosity got the best of me, I glanced down and saw that we were really fucking high.
"You did it. You did such a good job, Calloway.”
“S-Stop touching me,” I cried out. But my fear blotted out my words. They couldn't get through the lump of terror in my throat. I glanced down again, this time seeing the entire trunk sway. I scrunched my eyes but it was no use. It was like I was floating in midair. My parachute was going to give out any second, sending me crashing to the ground.
"I have to go down," I gasped. "This was a mistake. I never should have come up here."
"No," Peter cried. "You have to say. Please."
But I couldn't. I needed to get to the ground. Hesitantly, I lowered myself onto a branch and stepped on it. I tested it to see if it would break. It held.
"I'm telling mom you chickened out."
"Look," I barked, "I don't care. I need to get down."
My brother was visibly upset. But there was nothing I could do. I needed to get out of this tree. I was going to fall and crash to the ground if I didn't.
I lowered myself to the second branch, this time it testing it slightly. It held. Exhaling sharply, I lowered myself onto the branch and descended. It was a race to the bottom. I was the only man in the race.
“Pansy." Peter's voice was wrought with hurt. He thought I was abandoning him at the top of the tree. How could I explain that I was simply terrified? How could I find the words?
I lowered myself onto another branch. Suddenly, I heard something scurrying by me. My heart seized. My eyes flitted around but I saw nothing. Then, without warning, a giant squirrel crashed onto my hand and hissed in my face.
I screamed and thrashed, trying to push the squirrel from my face. My arms flailed beside me, crashing into the branches but grasping nothing. Peter's voice rang out from the top of the tree, shrill and alarmed. But it was too late. I was falling, bouncing like a tiny ball between the limbs. Before I hit the ground, I wondered if this would be the last experience of my life.
The world turned black just as I hit the ground.
Chapter 1
Calloway
I took a deep breath and stared at the enormous sign over the front of the two-story ranch house that suddenly seemed a hell of a lot less secure than the pictures online. Neverland Hills, a place for daddies and boys. I glanced at my Daddy. In a horrible turn of events, I wished I wasn't here at all.
Oscar, my Daddy of nearly a year, must have read my mind. Because a second later, he got on one knee and looked me in the eye.
"There's no need to be nervous, sweet boy. I swear."
I bit my lip. “I'm… I'm just so scared, Daddy.”
Oscar sighed and wrapped me in a hug. His arms were warm and safe, at least safer than this stupid ranch could ever be. I was a 23-year-old boy, for God's sake. I didn't know why we needed to go to a ranch filled with littles who might steal my Daddy.
It's because it looked beautiful online and spoke to your heart. You know you belong. Take a deep breath and calm down.
“I met with Brent, the head of intake multiple times, sweet boy. We had to go through a rigorous application process to even get the address. They checked my background and yours. They don't let people in if they’re looking to cause trouble."
"That's not what I'm worried about, Daddy. I'm just… Scared they’ll make fun of me."
Oscar sighed. "Is it about your leg?"
"Yes, Daddy." I scrunched my eyes tight and took a sharp breath. I didn't want to talk about my leg. I hadn't talked about it with anyone in the past 10 years, including Oscar. He knew something was wrong but I’d never told him the full story. But it didn't stop people from noticing.
Throughout high school, I'd been known as the limp boy. In the halls, people would snicker and stare as I struggled to make my way to class. When I grabbed my backpack and books from my locker, people would point and laugh. They wondered how I'd be able to carry them myself. They didn’t understand how a boy with one leg shorter than the other could do that without help.
Of course, no one ever offered to help. Not that I would've accepted it anyways.
My daddy took my palm and massaged it. "Sweet boy. Everyone at Neverland Hills is accepting. I've met the other littles myself. I promise you're going to fit in. No one's going to even notice it."
<
br /> "I don't see how they couldn't notice it, Daddy. It's a whole inch shorter than the other."
He sighed. "If you’re so uncomfortable, boy, we can always come back later. We’ll stay stay a few days to test it out."
"Okay, Daddy. If you say so."
My Daddy wrapped me in a hug. He pulled me close and parted the hair on my forehead. Then, he planted a soft kiss on my skin. A wave of calmness washed over me.
Oscar won’t let you down. He’s your daddy.
Still, it wasn't enough to totally stop my heart from racing.
After our hug, Oscar helped me stand up and led me to the door. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. "They're going to love you, sweet boy. You'll fit right in."
I nodded slowly. I didn't want to be here. I didn't want any more people making fun of my leg then they had to. I felt so stupid and exposed.
But a second later, the door swung open and a young boy burst into view with a smile plastered across his face. His eyes lit up when he saw me. "Oh my God!” he exclaimed. "Jacob, come quick. He's here."
My heart fluttered. Something warm and fuzzy shot across my insides. This boy was adorable. He reminded me of myself.
A second boy raced to the door, holding a bright red fire truck. "He's here!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. Then, he raced out the door and wrapped me in a hug.
"You must be Calloway," he said with a big smile. I noticed that the second boy was merely looking at him with a smirk on his face.
“Y-Yes," I stammered, biting my lip. "And this is my Daddy Oscar."
Oscar smiled and shook the two boys’ hands. "Thank you so much for inviting us to your home. You're very welcoming."
The two boys laughed. "I'm sorry, I'm so rude," the younger of the two said. "I'm Dennis." He extended his hand.
"And I'm Jacob." Jacob extended his.
I giggled and shook their hands. Was this what Neverland Hills was really about? I had nothing to be scared of at all.
"Come inside. We’ll get you settled in."
I nodded and squeezed my Daddy's hand even tighter. We snuck a glance at each other. This was going to be a perfect day.
I followed Dennis and Jacob inside. But I’d done little more than cross the threshold when my foot suddenly caught on the carpet and sent me flying face first into the ground.
Chapter 2
Oscar
My heart stopped when Calloway dropped to the ground. I raced down and grabbed his shoulder. "Are you okay?” But Calloway only moaned. His cheeks were bright red.
The boy named Dennis dropped to his knees and took Calloway's arm in his. "Hey, don't worry," he said cheerfully. "You should have seen what happened to Jacob when he first got here. He fell into the dirt outside. At least Calloway only tripped in the living room."
Jacob groaned. "Could you please not remind anyone of that?”
I turned back to Calloway and helped him up. “You okay, buddy?"
"Yes, Daddy." His features were dreamy and dazed. I pressed a faint kiss on his forehead.
He's still adjusting to the big move. He's been in the car all day and he's nervous. Give him time.
Suddenly, Paul and Brent appeared in the doorway with smiles on their faces. "Sweet boys," they said in unison. "We made your favorite. Strawberry milkshakes!"
Dennis squealed. Calloway's face lit up. "Strawberry milkshakes?"
"Yes," Joe responded. He walked to Calloway and shook his hand firmly. "I'm Joe, and this is Brent. We’re two of the daddies at Neverland Hills. We heard you like strawberries and we wanted to surprise you for a welcome to the ranch.”
Calloway grinned, but I could tell he was still dazed from his fall. "I'm so happy to meet you. Thank you.”
Paul smiled. "You can call us Daddy Joe and Brent from now on."
My boy nodded enthusiastically. Then, he turned to me and asked if he could get a milkshake with the rest of the boys.
"Yes, sweet one. Run and grab a delicious milkshake. Daddy will help bring the rest of the luggage out of the car."
Calloway grinned and followed Dennis out of the room. In no time, they were sipping delicious ice cream milkshakes with each other and becoming close friends.
Brent pulled me aside once our boys had gone. "Your boy is adorable, Oscar."
"Thank you. He's a special one."
"I know he's going to get along with my Nathan really well."
My brow furrowed. Who was Nathan? I was about to ask Brent when, suddenly, a timid boy stuck his head out of a door on the far side of the room. “Did you call my name, daddy?”
We both turned to face him. Then, Brent burst into laughter. "Nathan, get over here to meet Mr. Oscar. You have to meet my boy."
The boy named Nathan hurried out of the door labeled career center and joined us by the front. He smiled bashfully and shook my hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"The same to you."
"Explain to Mr. Oscar what you’re doing in the career center."
Nathan grinned bashfully. "I was working on my internship with Deloitte. Daddy Joe help me set it up."
My jaw dropped. "Oh my God. That's incredible."
"I was really nervous at first but Daddy Joe and Brent helped me a lot. I've been doing my internship every day. I think they’ll offer me a full-time position soon."
I turned to Brent. "That's impressive. When you said career center, I didn't realize that you'd actually be helping the boys get their foot into the professional world."
Brett laughed. "The truth is I'm not the one doing most of it. It's Joe. But we get them primed for real world careers."
I mulled this over. This would be perfect for Calloway. He hadn't been able to finish school due to insecurities regarding his disability. But I could think of a few online programs that would be perfect for him to finish his degree.
"We might have to take you up on that,” I said with a laugh.
Nathan's cheeks flushed. "Oh my God… Wait. Is Calloway here yet?"
"Yes, little one. He's with Dennis and Jacob getting milkshakes."
Nathan's jaw fell on the floor. "I'm sorry. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Oscar. I've got to go."
Then, he turned on his heels and raced out of the room.
Brent burst into laughter. "He's a sweetie.”
“Yes,” I said in agreement. “So welcoming and warm."
Suddenly, something crashed in the kitchen and sent a chill through my spine.
Chapter 3
Calloway
“O-Oh, shoot." I dropped to my knees to pick up the broken glass. Pink spilled over the floor, coating the hardwood in a giant strawberry puddle. If we didn't clean it soon, the spilled milkshake would seep into the cracks.
Dennis laughed and dropped my side. "Jacob is so clumsy. He's always knocking things over."
Jacob rolled his eyes. "I did not knock over that milkshake. It flew over on its own."
I laughed. "I'm sorry, poor Mr. Milkshake… You looked good enough to drink."
We began cleaning up the mess. Daddy Paul appeared halfway through and helped us pick up the glass. He safely disposed of it in the garbage bin so we wouldn't cut our fingers. Then, he dropped to his knees and cleaned up the rest of the spill with cleaning fluid so the carpenter ants wouldn't be attracted to the residue.
"Here," Dennis said, sliding something across the table. I burst into a grin when I saw it was a milkshake. "You can have some of mine."
I was about to take a sip when someone suddenly burst through the door. My heart raced. It was a beautiful boy.
"You must be Calloway!"
I grinned. "It's nice to meet you."
The boy opened his mouth to introduce himself but Dennis cut him off before he could speak. "This is Nathan," he explained, bringing the boy to me. "Nathan, say hi."
Nathan glared at him. "I don't need you to remind me, Jesus. I know how to welcome a new boy to the ranch."
I felt a fit of laughter brewing inside me. "Thank you for welco
ming me, Nathan. This is such a beautiful place."
Nathan blushed. "I know, right? I was so scared to come at first. But Dennis and Jacob showed me just how amazing it can be."
I sipped the milkshake and grinned. Nathan sat down next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “So how old are you, Calloway?"
"23," I said with a grin. "Sometimes, I wish I was younger. But Daddy Oscar helps me with that."
We all burst into laughter.
I turned to Nathan. "How old are you?"
"21," he said proudly. "That's the minimum age to come to Neverland. Any younger, and you need a special waiver."
Jacob shook his head. "That's not true. We don't allow anyone who is younger than 21, sorry. That’s the cut off. If you'd been born a month earlier, we wouldn't have let you in."
Nathan groaned. "I hope you're not saying I'm too immature."
“Hmm. Maybe I am.” Jacob took a bite of his ice cream devilishly.
Nathan rolled his eyes and yanked Jacob's ice cream out of his hand. "Hey!" Jacob shouted, reaching for his ice cream. But it was too late. Nathan grabbed the spoon and plopped a yummy spoonful in his mouth.
"That's what you get, meanie boy."
This time, I couldn't stop the giggle that burst from my lips. "The milkshakes are so yummy too."
When we finished our milkshakes, Nathan grabbed my hand and led me upstairs. "I'm taking you to your bedroom. You get Room 4."
My heart raced. "Number 4?"
Nathan nodded. "Yes. Jacob and Dennis are in rooms 1 and 2. Nathan’s in 3. You get number 4 all to yourself. Well, and your Daddy. If he wants to sleep over. Mine does sometimes."
