Page 83 of Private Exhibit
“Baby?” Andy finally said, breaking the silence. “It's gonna be alright.”
Devon shook his head, hearing the forced confidence in Andy's voice.
“Talk to me, sweet boy,” Andy murmured. After a pause, he added, “Tell Daddy what's wrong.”
Oh hells. Devon had been about to brush it all off as nothing and pretend he was fine, but when Andy spoke in that tone?
There was no resisting.
So he blurted out everything he was feeling. How useless he was. How much of a burden he'd become. How he was afraid because he didn't want to let Oliver down. “I think I should resign,” he finished in a whisper. “I can't do the job anymore. It's not right for the hospital to pay me to just sit there.”
Andy listened in silence, a thoughtful look on his face as he helped Devon out of the car and back into the wheelchair. They made their way up to Devon's apartment without speaking, and all Devon could think was that Andy was going to walk away and never look back. The man didn't need all this. And Devon really didn't want Andy to have to go through it all again.
The apartment door shut behind them, but instead of Andy turning around to rush off again, he called Oliver over, then crouched down and took Devon's hand.
“Here's what's gonna happen,” Andy said. His tone had dropped into the deep, firm growl of a full-blown dom, not leaving room for any argument. “I'm going to call a moving company, and you're moving in with me this weekend.”
Devon blinked. “I…But…You…What about Oliver?”
“He's coming with us.”
Devon stared at him. “Why?”
“Because then you won't have to worry about rent,” Andy said, and held up a hand before Devon could protest. “And I won't accept any argument about that. You're staying withme, and that's final. I'll take care of all the arrangements and expenses. If you have a lease, I'll pay it off. We'll get you boys moved so you'll have one less thing to worry about. I can still take you to work with me if you want, but if not, then Oliver can take care of you during the day, and I'll take over at night.” He looked from Devon to Oliver and back. “Understood?”
Oliver's eyes were wide as he nodded.
But Devon hesitated. “I'm already enough hassle–”
“Stop,” Andy said. “You are not a hassle. I–” He broke off, staring at Devon for a moment, then shook his head. “You're not a hassle,” he repeated gently. “And you have enough to worry about without the stress of making a living. You just let me handle it, alright?”
Devon squirmed. At least, he tried to. He glanced at Oliver, then asked Andy, “Can we have a second?”
“Sure.” Andy squeezed his hand, then got up and went to the kitchen, giving them some privacy.
Oliver came closer and crouched down, taking Andy's place. “I'm really not one for handouts,” Oliver said, “but I think this is a good idea.”
Devon tried to study Oliver's expression. “You're comfortable with this?”
“Are you kidding? Room and board without having to pay for it with sexual favors? You know I'm all for that.” He waved a hand at Devon. “This is nothing.”
“Oli–”
“Dev,” Oliver interrupted him. “It's gonna be fine. When the time comes, I'll figure something out for myself. But for now? This is too good a deal to pass up.”
Devon sighed. Oliver was right. It ate at him, knowing he could no longer make his own living, but he had to admit, the thought of having no expenses really took a huge weight off his mind. “Alright,” he agreed.
“Think of it this way,” Oliver said with a tiny smirk. “You'll get to finally experience living with a boyfriend.”
Devon almost smiled at that.
Chapter 30
ANDY LOOKED up local moving companies while the boys talked, and immediately made a call. With a little extra money thrown into the mix, he had an appointment scheduled for first thing in the morning. The movers would take care of everything: all the packing, the moving, and the setup once they got to Andy's place. Once that was arranged, Andy left the boys for the night and went straight back to work.
He hadn't come any closer to an answer all week, but he had to keep trying. Somewhere in those files, there had to be some detail he'd missed. Some tiny, seemingly insignificant note that would make all the difference. Therehadto be.
Because Andy wasn't sure what he'd do if there truly was nothing to find.
