Page 78 of His Boys to Protect

Skylar's smile turned bright and genuine. “Okay. Come on.”

They put on their shoes and headed down the stairs. The assault of noise almost sent Charlie running right back up to the room, but his Sky didn't stop, aiming straight for the piano. Skylar perched on one end of the bench and patted the empty space beside him.

Charlie sat, sticking close to Skylar's side. It made it difficult for Skylar to play, but his Sky never gave a hint of complaint. Charlie watched as Skylar put his hands on the keys and immediately launched into a rendition of “All of Me” by The Piano Guys.

The cheerful piece made Charlie smile. He closed his eyes and listened, trying to shut out everything else around him and just get lost in the beauty created by his Sky's talented fingers.

Skylar moved away when the piece came to an end. Charlie scowled and opened his eyes, seeing Skylar's friend, Adam, standing beside them. Skylar had gotten up to give Adam a hug, then gave John a quick greeting before he sat back down and held out his left arm.

Charlie immediately took it. He rocked where he sat, clinging to his Sky's wrist with one hand while he traced the tattoo line with the other. Charlie had to do it three more times to soothe himself while the others talked. He didn't want to hear talk. He wanted his Sky to play.

Finally, his Sky turned to him and watched as Charlie finished another circuit. As soon as Charlie let go, Skylar put his hands right back on the keys and played.

It was a cover version of “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin. While Skylar played, Adam stood there and sang. It didn't have nearly the impact of William Joseph's orchestral rendition, but it stillsounded good. Everything sounded good when his Sky was the one playing it.

Charlie smiled, watching Skylar's fingers. There was something indescribably beautiful about how Skylar played. The talent. The confidence. Skylar was completely in his element like this. Like nothing in the world mattered, so long as music existed. His face and posture were so carefree. So vibrant and alive. Charlie wished, once again, that he could buy Skylar a piano of his own. That they could live together, just the two of them, and have quiet nights sitting at the instrument, getting lost in the beautiful music.

Except, as Charlie sat there and imagined it, Ward was suddenly part of the picture, too.

He shook his head and tried to get back to the original dream. Just himself and his Sky. Except, once he had that image fixed in his head, it didn't feel right. For whatever reason, Ward had to be there.

The song came to an end, and a few people applauded, the noise interrupting his thoughts. Charlie winced and covered his ears.Damn it. He needed Ward!

“Hey, Charlie,” Skylar murmured. “Look who's here.”

Charlie perked up.Ward?Sure enough, when he opened his eyes, he saw the man crossing the foyer, heading in their direction.

His heart thumped wildly in his chest. Charlie squirmed, impatient for Ward to get to them.But why?Why did he want him so badly? It didn't make any sense, not even after everything they'd shared last night. But the closer Ward came, the more Charlie had to disregard the confusion in favor of pure need. Everything was so loud, all he wanted was for Ward to hold him and make it go away.

Ward crouched right down beside him. “Hey, buddy. Everything okay?”

“Hhnn.” Charlie rocked, still struggling with that last shred of confusion, then finally threw himself into Ward's arms.

The big man caught him, pulling him tight against his chest. “Easy there, sweet boy,” Ward whispered. “It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay.”

Charlie burrowed against him, feeling the low rumble of the man's voice. Why was that so soothing? Why did he like it so much?

“Hey, Sky,” Ward murmured. “How are you?”

“Good,” Skylar replied, his voice thick with something that Charlie somehow instinctively felt yet couldn't name. Skylar turned back to the piano and played. A soft smile took over his face. He even blushed.

Charlie realized he liked that.

“What are you playing?” Ward quietly asked. “It sounds familiar.”

Skylar's blush spread. “It's the song we danced to at your friend's wedding.”

Charlie blinked, looking from his Sky to Ward and back. The two men shared a look of so much heat and longing, even Charlie recognized the emotions.

Then they both looked at him.

Skylar winced. “Sorry. I'll play something else.”

Charlie shot out a hand. “Hhnn!”No stop, he signed.

Skylar studied Charlie's face for a moment. “Are you sure?”

No stop, Charlie insisted.

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