Page 182 of His Boys to Protect

Skylar's eyes teared up again. “I needed you guys with me, even if I never saw you again–”

Ward silenced him with a needy kiss, and they all tumbled onto the bed.

The next morning, after making love again, they returned to Living in Zin for Beau's annual Friendsgiving party. Charlie's parents had gone to town to brave the shopping madness, which left just all the daddies and boys that Ward knew. There was Beau and Mav with their boys, Dakota and Ryder. Then Ward's boss, Everett, along with his husband, Morgan. Then came Everett's brother, Laurie, joined by his partner, Griff, and their boy, Nicky. There was also Theo, the tasting room manager at Vista Robles, and his boy, Haven. John and Adam were also there, of course. Charlie and Skylar had met them all before, but as they all lounged together in the sitting room, hours before dinner, Adam took it upon himself to reintroduce everyone, making sure Skylar and Charlie knew who they all were.

“You are one of us now,” Beau said, smiling at Skylar and Charlie.

Everett nodded in agreement. “All our boys know that they can come to any of us at any time, no questions asked. We take care of each other. We want our boys to feel safe and happy. Always.”

“And we're all familiar with the kind of unique struggles you might face,” Mav added. “With the exception of Dakota and Charlie, all the boys here are trans, like you,” he told Skylar. “So we know how to navigate all the things that come with that.” He reached over and rubbed Ryder's back. “Like Ry herehatespublic restrooms, so we all know to go in and check the layout for him when he needs to use one.”

Ryder frowned. “I still don't know the etiquette of men's restrooms, so I try to avoid them.”

“Me, too,” Haven added.

“Ugh, and me,” Nicky agreed.

“And we all understand Charlie's needs,” Beau went on. “So if either of you ever need help, and Ward is not around for any reason, you can come to any of us.”

“You're family now,” Laurie agreed.

“Yeah, you're kinda stuck with us,” Adam added, and everyone laughed.

“We want to make sure you all feel at home here,” Mav put in.

Ward gasped. “Speaking of home.” He turned to John. “Any chance your rental is still available?”

“As a matter of fact–” John began.

“Oh, you're gonna love it!” Adam interrupted him. “I just finished, and it looksamazing, if I do say so myself. Can they move in, Daddy?” he asked John. “Please? Please? Pretty please?”

New house?Charlie asked.

“Yeah,” Ward said. “Maybe. If you like it.”

“You guys wanna come check it out after dinner?” Adam asked. “No! Wait. It'll be dark then, and you really need to see it in the daylight. Oh! We could all go right now! There's plenty of time before we eat. We could get there and back again, no problem. Please?”

John chuckled and shook his head.

Ward looked from Charlie to Skylar and back, seeing excitement and interest on their faces.

“Yeah,” Ward agreed with a grin. “Let's.”

Chapter 63

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CHARLIE

CHARLIE EYED the house as they approached. It lay tucked away amongst a bunch of trees off a country road several miles outside of town. Charlie glanced over his shoulder. In the back seat, Skylar sat forward, gazing out the windshield, his eyes wide.

Oh!Charlie really hoped the inside of the house was good, because Skylar looked so excited. Skylar loved trees. There were plenty of gnarled oaks, but also lots of evergreens, so not all the trees were bare of leaves. After a lifetime in the city, Charlie really wanted this for him. He wanted Skylar to feel safe and happy.

Ward brought the truck to a stop and turned to face them. “What do you think so far?” he asked.

Charlie bounced in his seat.See more! See more!he insisted.

“Sky?”

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