Page 54 of Lost Boy

Mac leaned back as one of the baristas dropped off his coffee. He’d ordered it in a ceramic mug, unlike Byron’s To Go cup. He really did come here a lot.

Mac waited until the barista returned to behind the counter before he responded. “I agree. But you can never be too careful. There are a lot of people out in the world that would take advantage of sweet boys.”

Byron nodded. “Just doing your civic duty?”

Mac chuckled. “I’m not a good guy. You’ve already figured out who I am.”

“Mac,” Byron said. “Is that your real name?”

“It’s the name I use now. What you can call me.”

“Been in town long?”

“No,” Mac said. “A few months.”

“Plan on being here much longer?”

Mac smirked. “Aren’t you just full of questions?”

Byron leaned forward and lowered his voice. “You’ve shown interest in my boy. In my group of friends. That makes me suspicious.”

“You should be. Not of me, of course. But you should be suspicious in general.”

“Why are you following me?” Byron asked. He was certain Mac had followed him into the coffee shop. He had to know Avery wasn’t there.

“Word is out that your boy quit today.”

“What do you know about it?” Byron demanded.

“He’s okay by the way.”

Alright, now Byron was getting pissed. “What do you know about it?” he repeated.

Mac took a drink of his coffee even closing his eyes as he enjoyed his beverage. Once he set the mug back down, he looked at Byron seeming more serious.

“Let’s just say that I know everything that happens in that office.”

“How?”

Mac shook his head.

“Mitch is okay though?” Why did he even ask? Fuck, he wanted to call his boy.

“He is,” Mac said. “He emailed the partners first thing this morning resigning. It was a very well written email. You have a smart boy.”

Byron did not want this guy complimenting his boy.

“You read it?” Byron asked.

“I have my ways.”

Jesus, who was this guy? “And they’re not giving him in trouble?”

“Quite the opposite. I think they are relieved. Your boy was the only good one in that entire place. Even the law clerks and admins are in the muck up to their eyeballs.”

Byron nodded. He believed Mac. “Thank you for telling me.”

Mac blinked, seemingly surprised. “I wasn’t expecting that. You are welcome.”

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