A daddy for summer migue.., p.1
A Daddy for Summer: Miguel, page 1
A Daddy for Summer:
Miguel
BRINA BRADY
Copyright Text by Brina Brady © 2024 All rights reserved.
Cover Art by Jo Clement
Editor: Anita Ford
Disclaimer: Any person depicted on the cover is a model used for illustrative purposes only.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This book contains graphic gay sex.
DEDICATION
Thank you to all my exceptional Beta Readers for helping me out until I finished my novel. Your help has been invaluable to me, and I don’t know how I would have managed without your help and support. Again, thank you so much. I appreciate your help.
Ida Sue Umphers
Brei-Ayn Nichole Moscato
Blurb
A DADDY FOR SUMMER: Miguel is available for pre-order.
BRINA BRADY
Daddy/boy, Daddy Kink, Age Gap, Hurt to Comfort, Opposites Attract
Miguel Reyes, twenty years old, is a daily victim of gang bullying on the streets of Brooklyn every summer when he returns home from his dorm at Princeton University. This time, the harassment is unrelenting and something bad happens on the street. Fearing Miguel might end up like his father, who was gunned down at Miguel’s sixth birthday party in front of the young boy, his mother and Uncle Javier send him to the Jersey shore for the summer. Miguel dreams of finding a daddy to protect him.
Shamus O’Malley, twenty-eight, would normally live comfortably above the bar he owns on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. The night of a traumatic breakup, however, he is seeking sanctuary at a hotel on the boardwalk. There, all his protective instincts are aroused as he encounters a bruised Miguel also checking in.
Luckily for them both, they are assigned rooms next to each other. Has Shamus found his boy? Has Miguel found his daddy? Is anything that develops between them destined to end with the hot summer days?
Miguel is part of A Daddy for Summer, a multi-author series. All the books are standalones. So why not stay and read them all?
Table of Contents
Contents
DEDICATION
Blurb
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Miguel
Chapter 2 Miguel
Chapter 3 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 4 Miguel
Chapter 5 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 6 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 7 Miguel
Chapter 8 Miguel
Chapter 9 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 10 Miguel
Chapter 11 Miguel
Chapter 12 Miguel
Chapter 13 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 14 Miguel
Chapter 15 Miguel
Chapter 16 Miguel
Chapter 17 Miguel
Chapter 18 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 19 Miguel
Chapter 20 Miguel
Chapter 21 Miguel
Chapter 22 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 23 Miguel
Chapter 24 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 25 Miguel
Chapter 26 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 27 Miguel
Chapter 28 Daddy Shamus
Chapter 29 Miguel
Chapter 30 Miguel
Chapter 31 Miguel
Chapter 32 Daddy Shamus
About Brina
Connect With Brina Brady
Brina’s Books
Chapter 1 Miguel
The late summer afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Brooklyn sidewalk as Miguel hurried towards the subway station. His headphones pumped salsa music, a contrast to the usual grit of his walk to his volunteer job at the community placement center for immigrants. Every summer, Miguel, who was fluent in Spanish, served as a translator for the Spanish-speaking immigrants.
Suddenly, a wall of bodies slammed into him, sending his phone clattering across the pavement. The music died. The green bandanas they wore obscured their faces, but the glint of hate in their eyes was unmistakable.
Before he could react, a fist connected with his jaw, sending a jolt of pain through his head. Miguel’s vision swam as he stumbled back. Panic clawed at his throat, the metallic taste of fear filling his mouth. He fought back, adrenaline surging, but it was a losing battle. The attackers were bigger, faster, fueled by an abhorrence he couldn’t understand. Blows rained down on him, each one a new wave of agony. Through the haze of pain, a single, horrifying thought echoed in his mind: they know.
Miguel’s world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of pain and darkness. Fear coiled in his stomach as he looked up. Their laughter was harsh, laced with a cruelty that sent a shiver down his spine. The slurred words were filled with homophobic insults, making Miguel’s heart crash. This wasn’t random.
“Lookie here,” the ringleader sneered. “We got ourselves a lost puppy.”
Miguel swallowed, forcing down the rising tide of fear. “Just let me pass,” he mumbled.
A cruel smile stretched across the leader’s face. “Not happening, pretty boy.” He shoved Miguel to the sidewalk.
Before he could regain his balance, another blow sent him sprawling. Panic clawed at him. Through the haze of pain, he saw the glint of metal—a switchblade flashing in the dying light.
Instinct took over. He curled into a ball, protecting his head as kicks rained down. His mind screamed a silent plea, lost in the symphony of violence. Then blessed relief. Sirens wailed, growing closer by the second. The kicks stopped. Miguel peeked through his arms to see the gang members scattering like startled roaches. Two uniformed figures approached him. They were cops, good.
His head throbbed with a dull ache; his world was blurry at the edges. The coppery tang of blood filled his mouth and fear lingered with an icy knot in his gut. Why me? What did I do?
The slurred words echoed in his head, a cruel reminder of the double life he led as a gay man pretending to be straight. Being gay in the neighborhood where he felt like a target was on his back. Even the rainbow keychain clipped to his jeans felt like a betrayal. Shame burned alongside the physical pain. He had forgotten to change his keychain when he returned from Princeton University for the summer. Rainbow anything sent messages to these punks to attack. Despite knowing this, he still questioned why he couldn’t simply be himself without fear of being targeted.
A hand touched his shoulder, gentle but firm. “You alright, son?” a gruff voice asked. Miguel mumbled something that resembled a yes, forcing his eyes open. The officer’s face was kind, etched with concern. Relief washed over him, a fragile hope amidst the fear.
He pushed himself up, wincing at the protest from his abused muscles. The other officer retrieved his phone, miraculously intact. The officers, thankfully, didn’t pry. They simply sat him in the back of their patrol car and drove him home, the city lights blurring into a tear-streaked mess as Miguel fought back fresh waves of nausea. This wasn’t the first time he’d been brought home in a squad car because of gang bullying.
As they pulled up in front of his building, all he wanted was to crawl into bed and disappear. But he knew his mother would be worried sick. With a deep breath, he forced himself out of the car, legs wobbling like jelly. The officers watched him reach the building door. Their silence was a strange comfort.
Riding the elevator alone to the seventh floor, with trembling fingers he fumbled for his keys to unlock the door. As he stepped inside the apartment, the warmth and familiar scents of home washed over him. But for the first time, home felt less like a haven and more like a battlefield—a combat zone where he wasn’t safe. Only home for a week of his summer break from Princeton University, and he’d already had two such incidents.
His mother rushed to the living room. “Miguel, what happened to you?”
“I got jumped again.”
“You were on your way to help the immigrants, and this is what happens when you do God’s work,” his religious, widowed mother tiredly said.
“One day, they’ll shoot me just like they did, Papa. For no damn reason.” The minute he said it, he regretted it. Any mention of Papa made his mother sad.
“Stop saying that. Lie on the couch. This is the last time, Miguel. I warned you what would happen if you came home like this again.”
“You can’t afford to send me away for the summer, Mama. Let me get a job and help you and Maria.”
“Not here. I’m going to call Uncle Javier. We have a plan.”
Maria, his fifteen-year-old sister, rushed into the living room. “What happened, Miguel?”
“Got jumped again.” Miguel felt a deep sense of shame as he realized he couldn’t put up a stronger defense for himself. If he could find a new daddy to protect him here, he’d be safe. His last daddy moved to California, leaving him behind, and he didn’t know where to find another one.
“He’s not safe here, Mama.” Maria sobbed. “Look at him. They’re going to kill him.”
“Don’t worry, I’m going to take care of this. Stay with Miguel while I call your uncle.”
“No!” Miguel shouted from the couch. “I’m going to get a job for the summer in the city.”
“Not here, you’re not,” his mother ordered. “I have just the place for my hard-working Miguel for the summer. You don’t deserve this.” She stepped out of the room to call Uncle Javier, his father’s older brother. He had stepped up to help the family in any way he could since his brother’s murder. Miguel, six years old at the time, would be haunted forever by the vivid memories of what he’d witnessed that unforgettable day.
About an hour lat
“Not again, Miguel. Did you do anything that would make you a target?”
“Nothing.”
“Javier!” his mother shouted. “Miguel is a good boy. He was walking to the subway to go help the Spanish-speaking immigrants at the community center.”
“I thought I told you to get rid of that rainbow keyring.” He pointed to the coffee table where Miguel had put it.
“I forgot about that.” Miguel picked up the rainbow chain and stuffed it in his pocket.
“Your mother and I created a plan for you. Pack your clothes now. I have already taken care of where you will stay and I’m taking you there tonight. Once there, rest for a few days, then look for a job.”
“Where am I going?” His uncle, who was known for his wisdom and caring nature, was someone Miguel never argued with because he always had his best interests at heart. He would never disrespect him because he had done so much for Miguel and his family, helping them whenever they needed it.
“New Jersey.”
“Where in New Jersey?” Miguel asked.
“A surprise. You’ll love our secret plan. We don’t want anything to happen to you. Get packing while I have some coffee with your mother.”
“I’ll help you, mi hermano,” Maria added.
Miguel winced in pain as he pushed himself up from the couch and limped after his sister to his room. In times of need, Maria was a pillar of strength.
“Lie on the bed and tell me what you want to put into your suitcases. It’s a good thing you unpacked your college clothes.” Maria wasted no time swiftly securing an elastic band to tie up her ponytail. Her hair, usually flowing freely, was pulled back when she meant business or worked, signaling her readiness to support those around her.
Miguel carefully instructed her on what items to pack from each drawer and his closet, ensuring nothing was left behind. She folded everything so neatly that it fit perfectly into two suitcases, each one zipping up with ease.
“I’m going to miss you,” Maria said.
“Wherever Uncle Javier is taking me, you can visit.”
“I hope so. It’s bad enough when you leave for Princeton.”
“You’ll get your turn to go to college. I’m going to make sure of that.”
“I love you, Miguel. Make sure you message me, so I know what you’re doing.”
Miguel nodded. “Of course. I want to know what’s going on with you too.”
Miguel took a refreshing shower and dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a cozy long-sleeved shirt. His uncle’s sports car had powerful air conditioning, and he always cranked it up to the maximum. His sister, with her small frame, struggled to carry one of the heavy suitcases to the living room as they waited for Uncle Javier to finish his coffee.
Miguel took that time to swallow two aspirins his sister provided for him, hoping it would deliver relief from the pain.
“You look like you’re hurting,” Uncle Javier said.
“I’m fine.” The last thing Miguel wanted was for anyone to think he was a little pussy. He could deal with the pain.
Uncle Javier nodded and picked up both the suitcases while Miguel said goodbye to his mother and sister—goodbyes filled with tears as they all struggled to let go.
Chapter 2 Miguel
Once they settled into his sports car, Uncle Javier cranked up the air conditioning, creating the freeze. He made a quick stop at the walk-in Medi-prompt to have Miguel checked out. The doctor’s assessment confirmed multiple bruises and a swollen lip, but thankfully, there were no signs of fractures or sprains. They picked up his pain medication at the pharmacy, then they were back in the car with the air blasting again.
Miguel knew the city lights receding in the rearview mirror hid the darkness where he’d been jumped. A shiver ran down his spine despite his safety inside the car. He winced as he shifted in his seat, the stiff leather offering little comfort to his bruised ribs. His face throbbed in time with the relentless New York traffic. He glanced over at his uncle, who had a furrow etched between his brows despite the Bob Marley tunes blasting through the speakers.
“You alright?” Uncle Javier spoke over the music. His voice was gentle despite the volume.
Miguel managed a weak nod, the bruises on his ribs protesting. He wasn’t sure what surprised him more, the beatdown or finding out his gruff, stoic uncle had driven all the way from Queens to collect him.
Miguel’s exhaustion caught up with him, and he dozed off. He woke up when Uncle Javier pulled onto the coastal highway. The beach materialized before them, a vast stretch of sand. Miguel rolled down his window to smell the fresh salty air and delicious foods.
“Whoa!” His earlier aches were forgotten. Seaside Heights, a kaleidoscope of bright hues, unfolded before them. The iconic roller coaster, “The Hydrus,” dominated the skyline with its lime green lattice. He and Maria had ridden it many times on family vacations. The screams of the delighted riders and the rhythmic thump of bass music from the boardwalk filled the air.
Uncle Javier laughed, pulling into a crowded parking lot. “Told you that you’d like it.”
Miguel stretched his stiff muscles and leaned out the window. The breeze carried the sweet scent of cotton candy and pizza. The boardwalk stretched before him like a carnival come to life. Gaudy signs advertising games of chance and flashing neon lights competed for attention. People of all shapes and sizes thronged the walkway, their laughter and chatter a symphony of summer.
“This is amazing!” A grin split Miguel’s bruised face. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this carefree.
Uncle Javier tapped him on the shoulder. “This is for you. You deserve a break.” His gaze softened for a moment, a flicker of understanding passing between them. Miguel knew Uncle Javier remembered too, the weight of their shared past a silent bond. “Just stay out of trouble, alright? This beach town isn’t exactly Sleepy Hollow.”
Miguel nodded, his appreciation swelling. His uncle wasn’t just offering a vacation; he was offering a chance to heal, a chance to forget, even for a little while. For the first time in a long time, Miguel allowed himself to believe he could.
“If my father could see all that you’ve done for us, he’d send many blessings.”
He nodded. “I got you a room for the summer. Then you can go back to Princeton.”
“I’ll try to get a job as soon as I heal.”
Uncle Javier handed him a credit card. “This is for your food and personal expenses.” He paused when Miguel grinned. “I put your name on the card, so you’ll have no problems. I’m proud of you. You’re the first one in our family to receive a scholarship.”
The corners of Miguel’s mouth lifted into a shy smile as his face flushed with warmth from the praise. He didn’t like to be the center of attention, too shy for anyone to focus on his positive traits.
“Let’s get you settled in.”
They moved towards the boardwalk, Miguel practically buzzing with anticipation. As they strolled to the hotel, which was conveniently located right on the bustling boardwalk near the rides on the Casino Pier, they continued to talk.
“Do you know why I brought you here, Miguel?” He paused. “This isn’t just a vacation. You lay low for a while. You hear me?”
Miguel nodded, a lump forming in his throat. His uncle had spent most of his life filling the void left by his deceased father. A wave of gratitude washed over him, pushing back the fear and the pain.
“Thanks, Uncle Javier. Really.”
His uncle’s gruff exterior softened further. “You’re family, Miguel. Always have been. That’s what family’s for.” His gaze turned serious. “But listen to me. You stay out of trouble down here. I know what it’s like to lose someone close. Don’t make me go through that again.”
“I won’t. I’m going to work and I’ll be careful.”
“You have enough to cover the two months.”
Miguel winced as he shuffled beside Uncle Javier to the inside of the hotel. A throbbing ache pulsed in his ankle—a souvenir from the beatdown along with the bruises.
