Page 143 of His Boys to Protect

Once he was dry, he wrapped a towel around his waist and returned to the bedroom. The boys weren't there, but Ward could hear quiet movement in the kitchen. Ward pulled on a pair of lounge pants, hung the towel up to dry, then padded out to see what the boys were up to.

He passed Skylar, who muttered something about taking his turn in the shower. Ward heard the bathroom door close as he reached the kitchen and found Charlie standing by the fridge, holding a bottle of wine in one hand and a beer in the other.

Charlie held out both. “Hhnn?”

Ward couldn't help smiling. “Thank you, little mouse.” He took the bottle of wine and got out a glass while Charlie put the beer back inside the fridge. Ward poured himself a drink, then offered one to Charlie. The boy considered it for a long moment before he nodded.

Drinks in hand, Ward headed for the living room, and Charlie quietly followed. Ward sank heavily onto the couch, thengrabbed the remote. He turned on the TV, opened a streaming service, and started the next episode of the show they'd been watching. Ward tossed the remote onto the coffee table and settled back on the couch with his legs splayed. He took a sip of his wine, then let out a sigh.

Beside him, Charlie slowly moved. The boy eyed him intently as he leaned back, spread his legs, and planted his feet, mimicking Ward's posture.

Ward laughed and reached over to run his fingers through Charlie's hair. “Come here.” He pulled Charlie close as the boy carefully burrowed into his side, all the while being mindful of their drinks. “It's okay, little mouse. Everything's okay. Thank you for helping Daddy unwind.”

Charlie gave a quiet littlechirp, then settled against him and focused on the TV.

Ward took a sip of his wine and smiled. He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut again when he realized what he'd been about to say.

Geez. He scrubbed a hand over his face. Those three little words had been clawing at his throat for what seemed like ages. He felt them with every fiber of his being. Felt them right down to his soul.

But he couldn't say them. As badly as he wanted to do so, Ward couldn't make himself say the words that would certainly only lead to heartbreak.

Because what if it ruined everything, just like it always had?

Charlie already wanted to go home. Temporary or not, it always stung when the boy left. And Ward had seen, firsthand, just how easily Skylar could walk away from his life. Hell, the boy had been ready to leave Charlie without so much as agoodbye, and those two were as close as two people could be. For Skylar, leaving Ward would probably be easy.

Ward didn't want to jinx it. To ruin what they had. Even if it couldn't last, Ward wasn't ready for this to end.

It was safer to leave things as they were.

When Skylar came out to join them, fresh from his shower, the boy sank down onto the couch, moving gingerly.

“Sky?” Ward asked, instantly alert. “Are you in pain?”

“Huh? Oh, no.” Skylar gestured at the screen. “I just didn't want to disturb the show.”

Ward studied the boy's eyes. There was something there that he couldn't make out, but when Skylar smiled at him—looking tired but content—Ward pushed his concern aside and smiled back. “Come here.”

Skylar burrowed against him, just like Charlie on his other side.

Ward set down his wine glass and put his arms around them, holding them close.

This was enough.

He'd just have to hold onto it for as long as it lasted.

Chapter 51

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SKYLAR

SKYLAR DIDN'T take a full breath until they got off the freeway.

Thank fuck. They were back in Paso Robles again. Ward had taken him up to San Jose for one last post-op checkup, and the moment he'd gotten the good news, Skylar hadn't been able to get out of that city fast enough.

Ward reached over and quickly patted him on the knee, then put both hands back on the steering wheel. “We're almost home, kitten.”

Skylar slumped down in the seat and tried to relax.Holy fuzzballs. It was actually over. He'd healed well and could officially resume all normal activities. Lifting. Carrying.

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