Page 6 of Baby Boy

“Hey, it’s okay.”

Soft words from a voice that sounded familiar. Had one of the other servers followed him out? Avery wanted to lift his head, but he was still crying and probably had snot running down his chin.

Still, the gentle hand on his back felt nice.Nice—why can’t people just be nice? He shook harder.

“Oh, baby boy.”

Avery was lifted and turned without notice. He fought for a moment, his jacket and backpack falling to the ground, before his face was pressed to a warm chest. Avery sucked in a breath, pulling in the soft, pleasant aroma of the man’s jacket. He knew that scent and it relaxed him.

“It’s okay. You’re okay.”

More kind words.Avery snuggled closer to the man holding him tight. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he knew he should pull back, say something, but he really didn’t want to. Was it so bad to just let himself be held for a minute or two? He just wanted to let go of everything.

“That’s it, my sweet boy. Just relax into Daddy and let me hold you.”

The words didn’t make sense but Avery was warm, cared for, being rocked and comforted.

“No one’s going to hurt you ever again. Daddy has you now.”

The tears were coming slower and although his head, chin, and knee still hurt, Avery had never felt better in his life. He kept his eyes clenched closed so he didn’t have to face reality.

As one arm held him tight against that broad chest, the other hand gently stroked his hair. Avery sighed and snuggled.

“My baby boy is a cuddle bug.” There was a low chuckle. “That makes me happy. I see many nights snuggling on the couch with you. Maybe a special blanket and binkie. Yes, you need a binkie, I think.”

Avery pulled his head back and peered up at the strange man. “Jace?” His voice was rough from the crying jag. What the hell was Jace doing here? “What?”

“There’s my boy.” Jace held up a white cloth and began to clean his face. “You feel better?”

Cheeks no doubt stained red, Avery could only nod. “Sorry, I should—”

“That’s good. You’re feeling better—sometimes we just need a good cry, huh?” Jace finished cleaning him up and smiled. “I’m glad I saw you.”

“What are you doing here?”

Jace looked over to the restaurant.

No!No way had Jace had witnessed his humiliation. “No…”

“It’s fine,” Jace hurried to assure him. “You did nothing wrong.”

“I…I…” Avery was going to die of humiliation. His mind raced and he didn’t have any idea what to say. He did notice how tightly Jace held him, Avery didn’t ever want to move.

His chin was caught between Jace’s finger and thumb. “You did nothing wrong. Do you hear me?”

“But—”

“No buts,” Jace said. “That manager of yours is an ass and I will be making a complaint to the owner.”

“No, please,” Avery begged. He needed the chance to work there again.

Jace grunted, not agreeing. “Did he hurt you?”

“N…no.” Words didn’t count, did they?

“Hmm.” Jace didn’t sound like he believed him. “What are you doing at the bus stop?”

Avery frowned. “Waiting for the bus?” He asked instead of telling, confused because it should be obvious.

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