Page 163 of His Boys to Protect

“Okay. Come on. Let's get your stuff.”

He helped Charlie up, then stood back and waited while the boy made sure all his things were still packed. Charlie fussed with his bag for several long minutes, checking and rechecking the closet. Ward had a feeling the boy wasn't looking for his own clothes, but Skylar's.

Finally, Charlie gave a big sigh of defeat, zipped his bag shut, and carried it out of the bedroom.

Ward pulled on his boots, then waited while Charlie fussed with his own shoes. The boy couldn't seem to get the laces to cooperate. Ward bent down to help him. When he stood back up, he saw Charlie staring blankly at the floor.

“Come on, buddy,” Ward murmured. “Dakota's waiting for us.”

Charlie shuffled around to face the door, then followed him outside.

The drive was tense and silent. As they slowly made their way across town, clouds began to roll in overhead. Ward breathed a bittersweet laugh. That was fitting. A storm would perfectly match the mood.

A light sprinkle began to fall just as they reached Living in Zin. Ward hustled Charlie inside before the boy could get wet, the clouds growing darker and more ominous.

Dakota ran down the stairs just as they were shutting the door. “I heard you pull in.” He practically slid to a stop in front of Charlie. “Hey.” Dakota hesitantly put his arms around his brother. “You okay?”

Charlie didn't respond.

Dakota pulled back with a wince. “Come on upstairs. I've got your room all set.” He gently turned Charlie and pressed a key into his hand. “I'll be right up to see if you need anything.” Dakota watched his little brother trudge up the risers, then turned back to Ward. “Thank you for this.” He paused. “How areyoudoing?”

Ward shrugged. “It is what it is.”

“I'm so sorry.” Dakota shook his head. “I gotta say, I really thought you guys were it, you know? All three of you. It seemed plain as day right from the start.”

Ward's heart clenched. It was all he could do to keep calm and still, itching to punch something instead.

“I should go check on him,” Dakota said, hooking a thumb over his shoulder.

Ward nodded. “Thanks.”

“Let us know if you need anything, okay?”

Ward nodded again automatically, but the only thing he needed was for Skylar to come back.

He turned and let himself out of the house just as the rain began to fall in earnest. Ward slowly made his way to the truck, not caring if he got soaked. He sank heavily into the driver's seat, moving on autopilot as he cranked over the engine, put the truck in gear, and headed back home.

The apartment was eerily silent when he returned. Ward stood in the entryway for a long while, feeling the emptiness like a crushing weight.

Maybe he was meant to be alone, just like his exes all said. Everyone had left him. That meant he was the common denominator. The underlying problem.

He wasn't worth loving.

Maybe what he had to offer simply wasn't enough. Skylar had been used to being wined and dined by wealthy men. Granted, that was all part of his job, but still. And even though Skylar had lived like a monk, the boy was still accustomed to fancy dinners and high society, surrounded by glamour and wealth.

Ward could never compete. Not with his simple lifestyle. It had been the same complaint with all of his exes, just one complaint amongst many. They'd wanted more. A bigger house. A fancier car. Luxurious dates. Ward had finally given in to those wishes with Kelly, thinking it was the only way to keep her, but she'd left, too.

He simply wasn't good enough.

Ward sat down on the couch and put on a show, but several episodes passed unnoticed. It was a distraction. Nothing more. Something to pass the time.

When dinnertime came, he managed a few bites of some leftovers, eating mechanically, then dumped out the rest. He left the dishes in the sink.

Charlie would hate that. But Charlie wasn't there to complain about it.

Ward skipped a shower and went to bed.

He woke the next morning and groaned when he saw the time. It was four-thirty. The same hour he'd gotten up every morning since the time change, thanks to his body adjusting toCharlie's habits. He half expected to hear the coffee machine percolating out in the kitchen.

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