Page 25 of Baby Boy

Interesting.Should he ask about Avery’s parents?

“My mom killed herself,” Avery announced with his mouth full. He was staring at Jace.

Jace set his fork and knife down. He reached out to cover one of Avery’s hands. “I’m sorry.”

Avery shrugged. “It’s okay. She was really young when she had me. Grandma said that she loved me more than anything in the world but she couldn’t take care of me. But Grandma was good to me.”

“What about your dad?”

“I don’t know who my dad is. It’s not on my birth certificate,” Avery told him.

It didn’t sound like Avery gave much thought to his family. That broke Jace’s heart. Avery was such a sweet boy and he’d lost the most important people to him. Jace’s family wasn’t perfect. His father was just an overaged playboy, but his mom and her side of the family were kind and accepting. His mom was going to love Avery to pieces.

“Can I have some more mac and cheese now?” Avery held up his empty plate.

“What a good boy,” Jace praised. He rose and got Avery a smaller scoop of mac and cheese.

“Thank you,” Avery said sweetly when his plate was back in front of him.

“You’re welcome, baby boy.” Jace retook his seat to finish his own food. “Do you work tomorrow?”

“Not at the coffee shop,” Avery replied. “The restaurant hasn’t called me back so I’ll probably deliver food through the app when I can.”

They’d discussed Avery’s three jobs at length. Jace had made his view of Avery returning to the restaurant clear, but it would ultimately be up to Avery if he returned. Jace just hoped Avery would take his concern into account. Avery did not need to be treated badly by any employer or anyone at all.

“What about school? Do you have studying to do?” Jace questioned. He was mentally preparing what they could do the next day. Avery had been overly stressed when Jace had picked him up. He’d love to give Avery more time to relax.

“I have to go to the library on campus,” Avery told him. “They let students use the computers for free. I need to start working on a paper for my mythology class.”

Jace nodded. He had his laptop and tablet. That could save Avery from having to go back to campus.

“What would you think about staying here tonight?” Jace asked.

“Here? In my room?” Avery sounded so small as his voice filled with doubt.

“If you’d like. I thought we could play for a little bit tonight then I could read you a book before tucking you into bed. In the morning we can talk about if you want to be little again. You could even use my laptop if you wanted to work on your schooling. Maybe spend the day here.”

“You won’t get tired of me?”

“No, I promise I won’t get tired of you.”

“Yea…yeah, I’d like that.”

“Remember you can say no to anything,” Jace reminded him. “We only go as fast as you want.”

“I know.”

“Then finish your dinner,” Jace instructed. He concentrated on his own plate, feeling like all the missing pieces in his life had suddenly been clicked together. Only playing with boys at clubs and having short relationships didn’t compare at all of having a boy all his own. Feeling a touch emotional, he smiled over at Avery, the boy he’d lucked into finding, by chance, or by fate. Whatever had brought them together, Jace had to thank his lucky stars.

“All done!” Avery exclaimed.

Jace glanced down at Avery’s plate and it was indeed cleaned off.

“Great job,” Jace approved.

“Toys?” Avery inquired cautiously.

Jace had eaten enough that his stomach was full even though he hadn’t finished off the food like Avery. But Jace had eaten a big lunch, so he would be fine. “Let me get you wiped down.” Not only did Avery have cheese on his face but on his fingers as well.

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