Page 95 of His Boys to Protect

My Sky!

“Okay,” Ward murmured. “Okay. If that's what you need, you're more than welcome. You can come see for yourself that Sky's safe and comfortable.”

Charlie jumped up.I pack!He ran for his bedroom.

Behind him, he heard Dad say, “I hope this won't put you out too much.”

“No, it's fine,” Ward replied. “Really.”

While Charlie packed, he heard his parents and Ward exchange phone numbers and discuss options for getting Charlie back home once he was ready for the visit to be over. Charlietuned them out. That could all wait. All that mattered right now was seeing his Sky. Making sure he knew where his Sky was. That his Sky was safe.

He had no idea how long he was going to be staying. That tripped him up for a minute because he needed to know how much to pack. Then again, there had been that one time they'd visited Dakota and wound up extending their stay, so they did laundry there. He could do the same thing at Ward's apartment.

Charlie carefully and methodically packed clothes and toiletries, then grabbed the box of condoms out of his nightstand. There were only a few left. He'd have to have Ward take him to the store so he could buy another box. Charlie checked his wallet, making sure he still had some cash left from his allowance. There was just enough.

He grabbed his bag and started to leave his room, then came up short. What about tomorrow morning? Charlie would need to have coffee first thing. Did Ward have coffee? And what about breakfast? Charlie needed eggs for breakfast. Did Ward have eggs?

Charlie shook his head. They could figure all that out once they got to Ward's apartment. All that mattered at that moment was seeing his Sky. He'd survive the rest. His Sky was more important.

He rejoined Ward and his parents in the living room. His parents wanted to give him hugs, then told him to be a good house guest. Apparently, they'd called Dakota while he was packing, so his brother knew he'd be in town. That made Charlie feel more settled. If all else failed, he could go stay with him.

Charlie rocked impatiently.My Sky!

Ward chuckled. “Okay, buddy. Let's go.”

“Drive safe,” Dad said.

Charlie ran down to the sidewalk. He headed straight for Ward's truck and yanked open the front passenger door.

His Sky was there, clutching a duffel bag in his arms, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“I'm so sorry,” Skylar choked out. He threw off his seatbelt, slid out of the truck, and set his bag in the seat as he burrowed into Charlie's arms. “I'm so sorry.”

Charlie held him tight, forcing himself not to rock. Skylar's feelings were so loud, but Charlie endured it. His Sky looked so broken. Charlie wanted to see him happy again.

When Skylar finally turned away to wipe his eyes, Ward rested a hand on Charlie's shoulder.

“Hey, buddy, I've got two very important jobs for you, okay?”

Charlie rolled his head, almost but not quite looking up at the man.

Ward pulled out his phone. “First, I want you to hold onto that for me while I drive. Okay?”

Charlie grinned and gave Ward a long, joyfulsqueak. He took the phone and clutched it to his chest before stuffing it into his pocket.

“And,” Ward went on, “I want you to sit back here and hold your Sky while I get us home. Can you do that for me?”

Charlie bounced in place and let out another longsqueak. Yes, he could do that!

Ward held open the back door and waited while Charlie got himself settled. Once Charlie had his seatbelt on, Ward helped Skylar up into the truck and got him buckled in.

“Lie down, kitten,” Ward murmured. “Just try to rest, okay? That's all you have to do right now.”

“Ward–”

Ward grabbed Skylar's bag out of the front seat and stuffed it down on the floor by Skylar's feet. “It's right here. Everything's fine.”

Skylar let out a shuddering breath, then lay down with his head in Charlie's lap and his hand clutching the handle of his bag.

---