Page 60 of Private Exhibit
Gods. The boy was simply too precious.
“We're almost there,” Andy pointed out. “A few more minutes, and then you can eat. Do you want me to come back and pick you up when it's over?”
Devon's smile fell again. “You don't want to stay? Or do you have plans?”
Andy inwardly cursed. He wanted to stay. A part of him never wanted to let Devon out of his sight. But he also desperately wanted to get to the hospital so he could do some research. It was going to wreck him, setting foot inside his old office again, but he didn't have a choice. He couldn't fathom life without Devon. Losing Junior had been hard enough. He couldn't go through that again, even knowing Devon's soul would endure.
Devon needed to live. Needed to experience all the things that life had to offer.
Even though Andy knew a part of himself would die if he managed to help Devon where he couldn't help his own son.
Then again, how he was going to find a solution now—after trying and failing for years—was beyond him.
“I wasn't invited,” he pointed out, answering the boy's question.
“Oh. Right. Sorry. I didn't even think about that.” Devon grimaced. “I'm not very good at social conduct sometimes.”
“Neither am I,” Andy said with a laugh. “At least you've got a good excuse. With the sensory overwhelm, I mean,” he rushed to add, not wanting Devon to think he was talking about his condition, then shrugged. “Me? I'm just an asshole.”
One corner of Devon's mouth curved up. “I don't think you're an asshole,” he murmured.
Andy's heart clenched, and he couldn't help the grin that took over his face.
The car came to a stop in front of a particularly stunning high-rise. A valet approached and tipped his hat. Andy glanced at Devon, then held up a finger, silently asking the valet to wait.
“You want me to walk you in?” Andy asked.
Devon shyly nodded.
“Alright.” Andy left the car in idle mode, then got out and walked around to the passenger side. He opened Devon's door and helped the boy to his feet before passing the valet a tip.
“Thank you, sir,” the valet said with a polite nod before rushing off to move the car.
Andy took Devon's hand. “You ready?”
Devon eyed the building.
“We can turn right back around and I'll take you home if you want.”
Devon looked like he was considering it. “No. I mean, yeah, I wanna go home, but…I also never get invited anywhere, so…”
Andy gave his hand a squeeze and led the way inside.
A doorman rushed to open the door for them, giving them a smile and a nod as they passed. As soon as they entered the lobby, a concierge strode up to them with a welcoming smile.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” the man greeted them. “Welcome to The Spire. How might I be of assistance?”
Andy looked at Devon, who shyly ducked his head. “We're here to see Thomas Pennington,” Andy replied for him.
“And you are…?”
Andy gestured at Devon. “Devon Campbell.”
“Very good, sir. I just needed to make sure you were on the guest list. Right this way.”
They followed the man to the elevators. Once inside, the concierge had to enter an override to allow the car to travel to the penthouse floor.
The elevator rose smoothly and swiftly, then opened onto a short hallway off of which was only one door. Andy led Devon to the door and knocked.
