Page 47 of His Boys to Protect

Behind him, the flurry of signs stopped, and the two boys leaned against one another, holding hands, Charlie's head resting on Skylar's shoulder. Ward couldn't help smiling at the sight even as a bittersweet pang hit him in the chest. He wanted to be part of that. Part of them.

But as soon as he dropped them off, there was every chance he might never see either of them again.

He supposed he could call the escort service and make another appointment to see Skylar. But what about Charlie? And the two boys together? Did he dare even ask to arrange something?

Ward inwardly scoffed at himself. What would be the point? The boys lived far awayandthey were a couple. He wasn't part of that.

Up ahead, Ward spotted the sign for Living in Zin.Damn. The drive had gone by too quickly. He turned up the driveway, pulled into a parking spot, and shut off the truck.

For a moment, a heavy silence fell over them.

Before Ward could say anything, Charlie threw off his seatbelt and opened the door. In the rearview mirror, Ward caught Skylar looking at him before the boy smiled shyly and followed Charlie out.

Ward let out a heavy sigh, then got out to join them.

“Thanks for the ride,” Skylar said. “Shit. I just realized you have to go all the way back into town, don't you? I'm sorry–”

“Sky,” Ward interrupted him. “It's okay.”It was worth it, he thought, but he kept that to himself.

Skylar slowly nodded, fidgeting where he stood, shifting from one foot to the other. He glanced at Charlie, then turned back to Ward, a look of such heavy longing on his face, it was all Ward could do to stay where he was.

Beside Skylar, Charlie rocked on his feet, his gaze roaming about the nearly empty parking lot.

“Well,” Skylar said. “Um. I guess this is it.”

“Yeah,” Ward replied.

Skylar slowly nodded, then put on a smile that was clearly forced. “Come on, Charlie. Let's get you showered so you can get to bed.”

Charlie gave a littlechirpof what sounded like assent, then hesitated, not moving from where he stood. After a moment, he signed something.

Skylar's eyebrows went up, and he looked at Ward. “He says he needs to talk to you.” Skylar paused. “Alone.”

Ward blinked. “Oh.” He glanced at Charlie, trying to read the boy's face. Ward had no clue how they were going to communicate when he didn't know any signs, but that was nothing compared to what he assumed Charlie would have to say.Stay away from my Sky, most likely.

Charlie pulled out his phone. “Hhnn.”

“You'll have to give him your number so he can text you,” Skylar explained.

Ward immediately snatched his own phone out of his pocket.Geez. It was such a simple thing, but his heart started racing nonetheless. He'd have Charlie's number. They could keep in touch.

Assuming this conversation didn't go the way he thought it might.

But what about Skylar?

“You sure you don't want me to stay?” Skylar asked Charlie while sneaking glances at Ward.

Charlie shook his head. “Hhnn.” He pointed at the house.

“Okay,” Skylar agreed, though the boy hesitated before he took a step back. He looked at Ward again, his gaze full of restrained longing.

Or was Ward just imagining that? Seeing what he wanted to see?

Skylar flashed Charlie a smile and turned away.

Charlie rolled his head to one side, watching Skylar out of the corner of his eye. Once Skylar was inside, Charlie turned back to Ward. He held up his phone with both hands. “Hhnn?”

“Right, sorry,” Ward said. “It's eight-zero-five,” he began, giving Charlie his number, watching the boy carefully type it into his phone.

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