Page 8 of Lost Boy

With one last wave, Jace urged his boy to the vehicle.

“Are you ready?” Byron asked turning back to Mitch.

“He’s really happy,” Mitch said as he stared after Jace and Avery. “Like all the time. Ever since he moved in with Jace I haven’t seen Avery unhappy.” There was a wistfulness to Mitch’s tone.

Byron tightened the hand on Mitch’s shoulder and stepped in front of him. “That’s what happens when a boy allows his Daddy to take care of everything and let him just be.”

Mitch glanced up at him. There was regret in his gaze. “You know I can’t do that, right? It’s okay for Avery. He goes to school and works in a coffee shop. I…I have other responsibilities.”

Byron shook his head. “I don’t agree. I was Avery’s Professor last year. I know his struggles the same as you. Yes, he’s happier now but he still gets stressed out at school. Except now Jace is there to help him through it. Avery can leave school and go home to his Daddy and not have to worry anymore.”

“I…” Mitch shrugged. “I just don’t see how it would work.”

And Byron would love to show him. He just had to get Mitch to agree first.

Mitch

Mitch unlocked the door to his condo and took a deep breath. He was letting someone other than Jace or Grant inside his sanctuary. He was going to open himself up to Byron and this could go so very wrong. But it could also go right.

Seeing how much Avery had changed and how happy he was made Mitch want to take a chance.

“It’s okay.” Byron rubbed his lower back. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want.”

Mitch nodded before pushing the door open. He flipped on the light next to the door and stepped inside with Byron directly behind him. Mitch dropped his keys on the table next to the door before pulling out his wallet to join the keys. He hesitated with his phone in his hand.

“May I have it please?” Byron asked.

“My phone?” Mitch knew he meant the phone. He just couldn’t imagine handing it to anyone. It was his lifeline to the outside. He received calls and text messages all day and night.

“I don’t want you pulled out of your boy mindset,” Byron said. “I’d like to hang onto it. If there is an emergency, I can let you know if you don’t mind me looking at it.”

“I can’t,” Mitch said. “If my father calls… or a client…I can’t.” Fuck, he wanted to hand control over to Byron but there were just some things he couldn’t do.

Byron nodded but looked disappointed.

“I could…turn it off?” Mitch gasped in shock at even suggesting that. He never turned his phone off.

Byron beamed. “That’s perfect.”

Mitch glanced down. His finger hovering over the power button. If someone called they’d…fuck it, Mitch powered the little device off. He needed some time off. He couldn’t even think straight anymore. He set it with his keys and wallet.

He was still staring at the table when Byron wrapped his strong tattoo arms around him. “I’m so proud of you boy. I know that wasn’t easy. You are doing so well.”

Mitch took a deep breath. He’d made Byron happy which made him feel…good.

“Now how about we get you more comfortable,” Byron suggested.

“Ye…yeah.” They were really going to do this. Mitch was becoming overwhelmed again.

“I have something for you,” Byron said snapping his fingers. “I brought in my bag from my bike, I hope you don’t mind.”

Mitch shrugged.

Byron set his backpack on the table next to Mitch’s phone. He dug around before grinning in triumph. Then he pulled out a package.

“What…” Mitch peered at the package. It was an adult pacifier. Shocked, he jerked his gaze to Mitch’s.

“I know you aren’t as little as Avery but sucking on a binkie can still be soothing. I’d like you to try it for me.”

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