Page 68 of Lost Boy

Cole chuckled but it wasn’t unkindly. “Shy thing, is he?”

Byron kissed the top of his head. “He is. My perfect boy.”

“Bring him inside.” Cole motioned them inside.

Mitch peeked again at the big man. Cole was smiling so sweetly at him. Mitch smiled back before he lifted his fingers that he’d curled in Mitch’s shirt and waved.

Cole’s features seemed to soften, and his smile brightened. He reminded Mitch of Grant.

“So sweet,” Cole murmured. “Why don’t you two come into the living room. Colin is setting the table, but Stone is relaxing.”

“He doing okay?” Byron asked softly.

Cole nodded. “He’s had a rough couple of days. They assigned him a new partner and you know how much he struggles with strangers.”

Mitch felt Byron nod.

“He’ll be okay though. He has the next week off so Colin and I will love on him until he’s feeling steady again.”

Mitch liked the sweetness that he heard in Cole’s tone when he spoke about his partners. It was nice to see a thriving relationship like that.

“It’s great you could come for a few days too.” Cole turned and led them further inside the house. “He needs to be around people he feels safe with.”

They entered a large living room with big cushioning couches and chairs. In one of the chairs, an attractive man sat staring off into space.

“Stone,” Cole called quietly.

The man, Stone blinked, before his entire face transformed. He looked lovingly at Cole before seeming to notice them.

“Byron,” Stone said. His voice was low and rough. Grumbly.

“Hey man,” Byron set Mitch on a couch before he strolled across the room.

Byron grabbed the back of Stone’s head and pulled him into a tight hug. Stone seemed to just melt into Byron. Mitch watched intrigued by the dynamic. Colin had said earlier that Byron has helped Stone. Mitch was so proud that he could claim such a great man as Byron.

They hugged for several long minutes but Mitch felt no jealousy. Instead, he found himself wanted to comfort the big guy too.

Byron and Stone pulled away and Stone was smiling. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too,” Byron patted his shoulder. “And I have someone to introduce you too.”

Mitch stayed still. He’d picked up on Cole saying that Stone didn’t do well with strangers.

He shouldn’t have worried though.

Byron led Stone over. “This is my boy, Mitch.”

Stone crouched down in front of him. That was when he saw the long ragged scar running down Stone’s cheek. Mitch sucked on his paci as he stared into the lightest blue eyes he’d ever seen.

“Hi Mitch, I’m Stone.” He held his hand out.

Mitch carefully laid his hand in Stone’s.

“I know I look scary, but I swear I’m a good guy. I would never hurt you.”

Mitch shook his head. He hated to remove his pacifier but he couldn’t allow this guy to think that Mitch was scared of him. He popped his paci out and smiled. “I’m not scared of you. My Daddy would never take me anywhere I’m not safe.”

Stone nodded. “That’s right, he wouldn’t. And I’ve been friends with your Daddy for a long time. He’s really helped me through some tough times.”

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