Chapter 7

Pike grinned, leaning back against Quint and sticking a spoonful of chocolate icing in his mouth. He sucked it off, then smacked his lips. “Kinky. How much time you got left?”

The banter seemed to cheer Reed up, because he didn’t even pause before leaning over to check Lawson’s watch, flashing Pike a wicked smile. “Long enough, what you offering?”

“Nothing except for some positive energy and a quick recovery.” Quint barred his arm across Pike’s chest, huffing out a laugh when Pike pouted up at him. “Insatiable brat. Tell Reed you’ll miss him, then get back to the galley and finish peeling those potatoes for Keiran.”

“Okay.” Pike rubbed his cheek against Quint’s chest, slipping away to give Reed a hug and speaking to him softly before striding off to the galley while pushing up his sleeves.

Blinking fast, Reed appeared torn between laughing and crying. He shook his head as he took the last few bites from his plate, standing and glancing around like he was a bit lost.

Hand going around Reed’s waist, Lawson tugged him onto his lap. The other sub was a bit big to fit there as easily as some might, but Lawson made it work as Reed relaxed in his arms. “What is it, my boy?”

“He said he’ll look out for Ez, but he won’t offer to suck his dick to cheer him up. And...and that he’s just teasing with the flirting.” Reed sniffed, wiping under his eyes with the back of his wrist. “He said...he just wanted to see me smile for real. I’ve been trying to. I’m happy I can do this, I’m just...ugh.” He looked up at Lawson. “But I’m not hiding my feelings or anything. When I figure out what they are, you’ll be the first one to know.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.” Lawson gave Reed a tight squeeze. “But sometimes, there are no words for how you feel, just a mess of emotions to sort through. I love the way you’re able to bounce back. That you’re getting better at reaching out when you need support. It’s okay if you’re not okay all the time. Or if you need to pretend, just a little, to get there. Don’t get lost in it, that’s all I ask.”

Reed nodded, letting Lawson hold him for a few moments before pushing to his feet. “Can we go now? I need to do this thing.”

“We’re all ready.” Noah stood, taking Wren’s hand before he could begin gathering the plates. “Quint, would you mind taking care of this for us?”

“Not at all, sir.” Quint gave Noah a respectful nod, cleaning off the table with a smooth efficiency Jared would appreciate.

One of the many reasons Wren didn’t mind that the man was back in Jared’s life. He’d somehow managed to work past the initial issues and found a way to fit in perfectly, never demanding too much, always willing to lend a hand or stand back as needed. Wren wouldn’t quite call him a friend, not yet, but he hoped they’d get there eventually.

Hand still in Noah’s, Wren walked out of the front door of The Asylum. Into the blazing sun, the noise of the city, the damp, acrid scent of the streets assaulting his senses. When he took short trips to Tracey’s, he hardly noticed it all, but today, everything seemed amplified.

He glanced up at Noah when his Dom stopped, then realized it hadn’t been him.

Wren was the one whose steps had faltered.

“I’m sorry, sir.” He drew in a measured breath. “I can do this.”

Expression softening, Noah turned, lifting Wren into his arms. “Yes, you can, my little bird. But I made you come here with a stranger. I left you alone, in so many ways, much longer than I should have. There’s no quick, easy fix to the distance I put between us. But there’s the first step and all the ones after that.”

Usually, Wren was uncomfortable being carried, but this was nice. And even more, he saw something in Noah that he’d only gotten glimpses of since prison. The part of him Lawson and Curtis had spoken about with longing after Noah returned. When he’d become harder, calculating, and always on guard.

Once, Noah had been a man who’d been tough as a trainer, but also nurturing. Passionate and protective, giving love with only one caveat. In the end, he’d believed he’d only done his job if those he cared for could move on without him.

He wasn’t doing that anymore. Instead of pushing people away, he drew them closer.

One arm around Noah’s neck, Wren watched Reed teasing Lawson, kissing his Dom’s neck and trying to tug him toward the backseats. Laughing, Lawson shook his head, picking Reed up and planting him behind the front passenger seat. He snapped his sub’s seatbelt on, then straightened to face Noah.

Noah slowed his pace. “You’re going to insist on driving, aren’t you.”

“I am. I already know the route to the first campground, I’ve been there before with Curtis and our boys.” Lawson held out his hand. “It’s longer between that one and the next. You and I made a deal. If I swore not to push myself too hard, you’d trust me to know my limits.”

Brow lifting, Noah pulled the keys out of his pocket, pressing them into Lawson’s hand. “What limits? From what I see, your mind’s as sharp as ever. I’m willing to admit when I’ve been beat. That damn logic of yours never fails.”

A hint of a smile played at Lawson’s lips. “You? Admit defeat? There’s absolutely no way that’s ever happened. I’d remember it.”

“I’m not sure that says more about my performance or yours.” Noah lowered Wren into place behind the driver’s seat, doing up his seatbelt, his tone deceptively light. “You were on top.”

Reed made a pained sound. “Damn it, I both really want to hear this story, and really don’t.”

Starting the engine as Noah climbed in beside him, Lawson glanced back over his shoulder. “You wouldn’t like details about how much your father-figure likes it nice and slow and gentle? He’s also…” He used the teasing, dramatic pause to focus on pulling out of The Asylum’s back lot. “Quite cuddly when he’d properly worn out.”

Hands over his ears, Reed sang some random song to himself while shaking his head.

“I still cuddle.” Noah sounded a bit unsure of that, his brow creasing as he looked over at Lawson. “I’ve never been ashamed of that. Maybe I haven’t always been as affectionate as I should be, but I try to give my subs what they need.”

Sitting forward, Wren put his hand on Noah’s forearm. “You do, sir. I didn’t even know I liked hugs until I met you.”

Lawson glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “I’m sorry, my boy. That couldn’t have been easy as a child.”

“I couldn’t miss what I didn’t have.” Wren gave Lawson a reassuring smile. “Besides, all the people who wanted to hug me wore too much cologne and perfume. It was very uncomfortable. They also held on for a very long time and it was considered rude to try to slip away. Which seems strange, since hugs are supposed to be a show of tenderness. Restraining a child isn’t tender—I imagine Anastasia wouldn’t tolerate it. Did you know she broke a chair on a boy who tried to grab her? Avery was very proud.” He tried to recall the original subject when Noah’s hand covered his and his Dom’s patient look told him he’d gotten off-track. He hesitated, then nodded. “I was much happier being left alone.”

“How about now?”

Turning a bit, Wren smiled softly at Reed. “I don’t remember what it’s like, I never am. And I prefer it that way.”

“Aww, come here.” Reed tugged Wren close to his side, putting an arm around his shoulders and snuggling in as much as their seatbelts would allow. “Gotta say, I didn’t expect you to come in the end. I thought...it would be too much. And I wouldn’t have been upset if you couldn’t do it, but...you didn’t even look back.”

That was true. Wren was familiar enough with the area to know he wouldn’t see The Asylum out the window, even if he turned around. But he didn’t need to. That wasn’t where he was going.

The road he needed to be on was ahead.