Chapter 34

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CHARLIE

CHARLIE HEARD Ward's truck approach. He knew the sound of it. The roar of the engine was subtly different from that of any other Tundra that ever came down his street.

Why was the man so early?

Ward usually arrived mid-morning after spending the night with his Sky. It left them enough time for a visit before Ward had to get on the road so he could get home at a decent hour. Charlie glanced at the time on his phone. It was barely after seven!

He ran to the front windows and looked out.

Sure enough, that was Ward's truck parked at the curb. Charlie leaned closer. He thought he saw movement in the front passenger seat, but it was difficult to tell at that angle.

Ward got out and headed for the house.

Charlie stilled, watching him. There was something strange on the man's face. The expression was both hard and soft. Charlie couldn't make it out. He ran to the front door and opened it before Ward could knock. It was the wrong order of things, but he didn't want to wait.

Ward came up short a couple steps away, then put on a soft smile. “Hey, Charlie.”

Charlie rocked on his feet. Early , he signed.

“I know, buddy. I'm sorry.” Ward paused. “I hate to upset your routine, but we really need to talk.”

Charlie pulled his arms against his chest, eyeing Ward warily. In movies, people always said that right before they said something heartbreaking or disappointing.

“Charlie? Hey, buddy, it's gonna be okay. I just need to tell you something important, if that's alright with you.”

Charlie eyed Ward as the man waited patiently for him to respond. The air felt heavy. Charlie wanted to go hide in his room, but he also needed to know what Ward had to say. Finally, he took a step back and let the man inside.

Ward dutifully took off his shoes and followed Charlie into the living room. He didn't sit in his chair, though. Instead, Ward gestured for Charlie to sit, then crouched in front of him.

Charlie rocked. This was all wrong.

“Everything's gonna be okay, buddy” Ward murmured, resting his big hands on Charlie's knees. “I promise. But something changed today, and you need to know about it.”

Charlie shrank back. He didn't like change. Not even change that he chose for himself. That could be just as difficult to deal with as any other. He looked at Ward, bracing himself. What?

“Sky's out in the truck–”

Ward barely got the words out when Charlie was on his feet, trying to get past the man to head for the door.

“Wait, Charlie. Hang on.” Ward gently grabbed him and urged him back down into the chair.

But Charlie didn't want to sit. He wanted to see his Sky!

“Charlie, listen to me. Sky's had a really rough morning. He's very upset right now, but he didn't want his loud feelings to upset you, too.”

Oh . Charlie slowly went still. His Sky was upset? Why? My Sky hurt? he signed.

“No. He's not hurt. He's gonna be fine, I promise.” Ward paused. “Sky quit his job this morning.”

Charlie blinked, processing that. Sky quit his job? Oh oh oh! Charlie bounced in his seat, so overwhelmed with joy and relief that he couldn't hold still.

But then he saw the look on Ward's face. It was part relief and part something else, and it was the latter that made Charlie stop moving.

“He called me this morning, a little while after he left the hotel,” Ward went on. “Said he couldn't do it anymore. That he needed to walk away from it all. So I went to pick him up, since his car wouldn't start, and then we went to his apartment. He packed up all his things–”

You see his apartment? Charlie asked, interrupting him. My Sky no let me see!

Ward cringed. “It was awful, Charlie. You would have hated it.” Ward slowly shook his head. “It was tiny. Maybe half the size of this room. All he had was a bare mattress on the floor. The kitchen had no food in it to speak of…” Ward trailed off like he was stopping himself from adding more. From adding even worse . “I honestly don't blame him for not letting you go over there. He didn't even want me to see it.”

Charlie whimpered, hating the visuals that his imagination conjured up from Ward's descriptions.

“But it's over,” Ward said, putting on a soft smile. “He moved out. He's not going back.” Then Ward paused, his smile slipping. “I'm taking him home with me.”

It took Charlie a moment to realize what that meant.

When it finally hit him, he lashed out, screaming and swinging his fists at Ward.

“ Charlie? ” Dad yelled. Rapid, thundering footsteps approached, and both Dad and Mom stumbled into the room, still in their pajamas. “Charlie?” Dad repeated. “What's wrong?”

Ward held up his hands, protecting himself from Charlie's blows. “I'm so sorry–” he began, speaking over his shoulder.

You promised! Charlie signed between flailing punches, still crying out. You promised no take my Sky from me!

“Charlie,” Ward said gently. He kept blocking Charlie's swinging arms, then finally caught him by the wrists.

Charlie struggled, but the man was too strong for him.

“Hey, buddy,” Ward murmured, never raising his voice. “I know you're upset, but I need you to listen right now, okay? I need to explain. Can you let me do that?”

Charlie rocked hard. He wanted his Sky! But the gentle command in Ward's voice did something strange to Charlie's insides. His rocking slowed but didn't stop, and after a moment, he managed to give the man a nod.

“Thank you, Charlie,” Ward whispered, giving his wrists a gentle squeeze. “Sky wants to get out of the city. To leave it all behind.” Ward paused. “He should probably tell you this himself, but he told me he'd always planned to leave like this. Once he had money for his surgery, he was going to move far away and start over.”

Charlie blinked, feeling his body go suddenly cold. He tugged against Ward's grip on him, and when Ward released his hands, Charlie signed, My Sky leave me?

Ward winced. “Yeah. He said you deserve better than him.”

Charlie violently shook his head. My Sky! My Sky! My Sky!

“I know, buddy. And I agree. So I told him he's coming with me instead. He'll be free of the city, but not scared and alone. And I convinced him to stop here first so we could tell you.” Ward gently grabbed Charlie's hands and gave them a squeeze. “Instead of him running off to who-knows-where, he'll be with me. Somewhere he'll be safe. Where I can look after him and give him a fresh start. And you are more than welcome to come visit whenever you want, okay?” He glanced over at Charlie's parents. “Whatever arrangements we have to make to get you down there, we'll figure it out. You can come see Sky. See that he's safe. No more of that job. Or that apartment.”

Charlie considered that. His Sky wouldn't have strange men touching him anymore. And anything sounded better than that apartment. Ward's apartment wasn't perfect, but at least Charlie knew where it was. What it looked like. It was far better than what Ward had described of Skylar's place.

His Sky would be safe. And free. And not have to see clients. He'd have somewhere warm and secure to sleep, with a real bed instead of a mattress on the floor, even if that meant sharing the bed with Ward. Somehow, even that was okay.

But it was so far!

Charlie started rocking again. Ward did say he could come visit whenever he wanted. I visit now.

Ward blinked. “You want to come with us now?”

Charlie nodded.

“Hey, Charlie,” Dad said. “It's not polite to invite yourself over to someone's house.”

Charlie scowled. He say anytime. Now is anytime.

Ward glanced at Charlie's parents again. “Are you sure, buddy? It's very sudden.”

My Sky!

“Okay,” Ward murmured. “Okay. If that's what you need, you're more than welcome. You can come see for yourself that Sky's safe and comfortable.”

Charlie jumped up. I pack! He ran for his bedroom.

Behind him, he heard Dad say, “I hope this won't put you out too much.”

“No, it's fine,” Ward replied. “Really.”

While Charlie packed, he heard his parents and Ward exchange phone numbers and discuss options for getting Charlie back home once he was ready for the visit to be over. Charlie tuned them out. That could all wait. All that mattered right now was seeing his Sky. Making sure he knew where his Sky was. That his Sky was safe.

He had no idea how long he was going to be staying. That tripped him up for a minute because he needed to know how much to pack. Then again, there had been that one time they'd visited Dakota and wound up extending their stay, so they did laundry there. He could do the same thing at Ward's apartment.

Charlie carefully and methodically packed clothes and toiletries, then grabbed the box of condoms out of his nightstand. There were only a few left. He'd have to have Ward take him to the store so he could buy another box. Charlie checked his wallet, making sure he still had some cash left from his allowance. There was just enough.

He grabbed his bag and started to leave his room, then came up short. What about tomorrow morning? Charlie would need to have coffee first thing. Did Ward have coffee? And what about breakfast? Charlie needed eggs for breakfast. Did Ward have eggs?

Charlie shook his head. They could figure all that out once they got to Ward's apartment. All that mattered at that moment was seeing his Sky. He'd survive the rest. His Sky was more important.

He rejoined Ward and his parents in the living room. His parents wanted to give him hugs, then told him to be a good house guest. Apparently, they'd called Dakota while he was packing, so his brother knew he'd be in town. That made Charlie feel more settled. If all else failed, he could go stay with him.

Charlie rocked impatiently. My Sky!

Ward chuckled. “Okay, buddy. Let's go.”

“Drive safe,” Dad said.

Charlie ran down to the sidewalk. He headed straight for Ward's truck and yanked open the front passenger door.

His Sky was there, clutching a duffel bag in his arms, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“I'm so sorry,” Skylar choked out. He threw off his seatbelt, slid out of the truck, and set his bag in the seat as he burrowed into Charlie's arms. “I'm so sorry.”

Charlie held him tight, forcing himself not to rock. Skylar's feelings were so loud, but Charlie endured it. His Sky looked so broken. Charlie wanted to see him happy again.

When Skylar finally turned away to wipe his eyes, Ward rested a hand on Charlie's shoulder.

“Hey, buddy, I've got two very important jobs for you, okay?”

Charlie rolled his head, almost but not quite looking up at the man.

Ward pulled out his phone. “First, I want you to hold onto that for me while I drive. Okay?”

Charlie grinned and gave Ward a long, joyful squeak . He took the phone and clutched it to his chest before stuffing it into his pocket.

“And,” Ward went on, “I want you to sit back here and hold your Sky while I get us home. Can you do that for me?”

Charlie bounced in place and let out another long squeak . Yes, he could do that!

Ward held open the back door and waited while Charlie got himself settled. Once Charlie had his seatbelt on, Ward helped Skylar up into the truck and got him buckled in.

“Lie down, kitten,” Ward murmured. “Just try to rest, okay? That's all you have to do right now.”

“Ward–”

Ward grabbed Skylar's bag out of the front seat and stuffed it down on the floor by Skylar's feet. “It's right here. Everything's fine.”

Skylar let out a shuddering breath, then lay down with his head in Charlie's lap and his hand clutching the handle of his bag.

Ward closed the door, then walked around to the front of the truck and got in. He started the engine, checked his mirrors, and pulled out onto the road.

Charlie twisted around to watch his house disappear behind them. He felt a slight pang at the sudden disruption of his routine, but the feeling slowly faded when he looked down instead.

He put his arms around his Sky and held on tight.

Charlie had an important job to do, and he was going to be a good boy and make Ward proud.