Page 4 of Lost Boy

Mitch didn’t call out for his Daddy as the other two had but Mitch was looking to him for help. Byron had washed Mitch’s hand, refilled cups, and made his plate. Even now that it was clean up time Byron directed Mitch on what tasks needed to be completed.

“I don’t know what happened between the two of you in my bathroom but I couldn’t be happier. I have known Mitch over fifteen years and I’ve never seen him so content.”

Byron wanted to preen at the compliment to his boy. But Mitch wasn’t his yet. “He was nervous. I just allowed him to relax and let go of the worry for the afternoon.”

“He needs more than just an afternoon,” Jace told him. “We’re losing him little by little. He is fucking miserable.”

“I know,” Byron stated. “I can’t help him unless he lets me.”

Jace sighed. “He’ll push you away. It’s what he does.”

Byron nodded. Every time he felt he was making some headway with Mitch he’d be ignored for weeks after.

“Don’t let him,” Jace said. “He wants you. It’s all over his face.” With one last pat to Byron’s back, Jace left him going over to Avery, who was trying to hide the fact that he’d dropped his binkie, again. Damn, how many binkies did Avery have and how often was his Daddy having to wash them?

That reminded Byron that he had some shopping to do. Mitch might not be his yet. Maybe not ever. But the boy needed something to help soothe him.

He wasn’t a little, according to Mitch himself, and their friends. But he also looked longingly at Avery’s binkies. So maybe a middle? Or an older boy. It didn’t matter. They’d find what worked for the two of them. He just needed Mitch to reach out to help for help.

With the backyard clean Byron motioned Mitch to join him on the porch.

“Do you need to change clothes or are you okay driving home like you are?” Byron questioned. He wanted Mitch to remain relaxed and happy.

“No.” Mitch smoothed down his shirt. He had sand in it and was a bit dirty but his boy, no Mitch, was adorable. “I’m going straight home. I have some work to do.”

Byron nodded. He took a step forward. “I’d like to see you again. Like this.”

Mitch started to nod then shook his head. “I…I can’t. I wish I could, I really do, but it’s not a good idea.”

“I don’t agree,” Byron said. He’d been backing off for months now. That wasn’t what Mitch needed though. It was time to start pushing. “You had a lot of fun today.”

Mitch nodded.

“It doesn’t even need to be in public. I just want to spend time with you. Let you be this happy again.”

“I’m not ashamed of you,” Mitch said quickly.

That helped Byron firm his resolve. He wouldn’t fit into Mitch’s high-powered life easily, but he could make an effort. He had a good job at the university but with his long hair, tattoos, and Harley, Byron wasn’t someone a lawyer usually hung around. “Then you’ll let me see you again?”

Mitch sighed. “I work. A lot.”

Yes, that was something Byron wanted to put a stop to. From what he’d learned Mitch worked as a defense attorney as the law firm his father was a partner in. And Jace and Grant had both told Byron how miserable Mitch was there. Byron also knew that a friend of Mitch’s had been trying to get Mitch to join in working in family law. Byron suspected Mitch would be much happier doing that. “I understand that. I won’t interfere.” Yet. “But you have to have some downtime.”

“Ok…okay. I can call you,” Mitch offered.

“How about I call you?” Byron countered. If he left it up to Mitch Byron would not be hearing from the boy.

“That… that would probably be better,” Mitch admitted.

“Good boy,” Byron praised. Mitch needed as much praise as possible. “How about I walk you out.”

“I’d like that.” Mitch smiled beautifully.

1

One Month Later

Byron

---