“Not better than sleeping in a tent, having no food, and getting beat on by your alcoholic father?” Jared eyed him closely, as if searching for something.
Troy swallowed down the trepidation creeping up the back of his throat. He’d trust Jared with his life, no question. But there were things he wouldn’t, couldn’t talk about. Not now, anyway.
But Jared was right. Lewis and Aaron were in dire circumstances. And if he didn’t handle the CPS call himself, then someone else was sure to the way things were going. Especially if Aaron or his father had been involved in the arson.
“I don’t know what’s the right thing to do, Jared.” The words came out harsh through his tight throat.
Jared reached out and took his hand. “That’s why you’ve got me. I think I can help you. All of you.”
“How?” he asked, resisting the urge to drag Jared into his arms and kiss him in gratitude, even though he hadn’t heard Jared’s plan yet.
“See, the thing is, I’m a qualified foster parent,” Jared said, and it was the dead last thing Troy expected to come out of his mouth.
“You’re what?”
“A registered foster parent,” Jared repeated, a slight smile drawing up his lips as though he’d enjoyed surprising him. “I did it years ago. I was worried Mom and Dad would figure out what I’d suspected of Tate for a long time and kick him out like they did with me. I thought if I did everything by the book, Tate could come straight to me instead of going into the system or whatever. Even though Tate is over eighteen now, I kept up my certification just in case. Seems like it’s going to come in handy.”
“So you can take them. Legally?” He caught both Jared’s shoulders, only just stopping himself from yanking the guy off his feet and spinning him around in a circle like this was some cheesy movie.
“Well, it’ll take a bit of wrangling and string-pulling when it comes to the paperwork. But yeah, if CPS gets involved and the boys have to go into the system, I should be able to get them placed with me. Not sure how Del and Tate will feel about it—”
He gave in to his stupid urges and dragged Jared against him for a tight hug. “Jared Winters, you are the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
He couldn’t even begin to put into words how relieved he was there might be a quick and easy solution for Lewis and Aaron’s situation after all.
“I don’t know about that,” Jared replied with a self-conscious laugh. “It’s probably because I’m keeping good company.”
He finally released Jared from the suffocating hug and leaned back to cup his face in his palms.
“You are amazing,” he insisted in a low voice. “ Never let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Troy—” Jared seemed awestruck and speechless as he stared up at him.
Hadn’t Jared ever had anyone tell him how great he was? It was a simple truth, like the sky being blue and water being wet. Obviously he needed to tell the guy every single day until he got a clue.
“Mr. Hurst?”
Troy dropped his hands and turned at the sound of the doctor’s voice behind him.
“Doctor Ross,” he greeted, sending the woman a nod. “Those test results come back?”
“Yes,” she replied, her attention settling on Jared beside him.
“Oh, this is Jared Winters. He’s—”
“Troy’s boyfriend,” Jared interjected smoothly, just about giving him an aneurism. He swore the room went dark for a second there, but Jared was hanging tightly onto his hand, anchoring him through the momentary loss of equilibrium. “And hopefully soon to be Aaron and Lewis’s foster parent once all the paperwork goes through with CPS.”
“Oh good,” Doctor Ross replied with a heartfelt sigh. “I was truly worried about those boys. No offense, Mr. Hurst.”
“None taken,” he replied. As far as he was concerned, the woman could think Jared was the second coming of Christ and he’d probably agree with her at this point. “And please, call me Troy.”
“Okay,” Doctor Ross said, clearly ready to get down to business as she flipped open the folder she was holding.
“Aaron is slightly malnourished, not alarmingly so, and nothing he needs to be hospitalized over. He’s just lacking some basic nutrients. A healthy diet should resolve it very quickly.” She paused to shoot Jared a glance, as if that was all his responsibility now. Which it would be if everything went smoothly with CPS and the foster process. “He’s asthmatic, but I don’t see any record of him being treated for it, so I’ll make sure he’s given an inhaler to take with him. He’s also got a minor bronchial inflammation, but that should resolve itself in a few days with some rest. And, as you know, his ribs are bruised, not broken.”
She flipped the folder closed again and eyed them both. “Though I don’t have any reason to run any tests on Lewis, I’m guessing he’s in much the same condition. These boys need some good hearty meals and somewhere to recuperate. I assume they’ll find that at your house, Mr. Winters.”
“It’s Jared,” he replied, flashing her a smile and not seeming the least intimidated by her stern demeanor. “And to answer your question, I’ve already got one teenage brother at home. You can be sure I know all about keeping them in line.”
“Good to know,” she replied with a sharp nod. “Now we’ve got that sorted, I’ll start the discharge papers.”
“Thank you, Doctor Ross,” he said to the woman as she started to walk toward the nurse’s desk. “I really appreciate everything you did for us today.”
She truly hadn’t been impressed with his insistence on not calling CPS, but Jared had worked his magic, and now the woman was looking at them both like they were some kind of heroes.
“Those boys are lucky to have you. Both of you.” She smiled and then bustled off to get the paperwork done.
“Well, I guess all that leaves now is convincing Lewis and Aaron that going home with a complete stranger is better than going back to their drunk dads living in a tent. Piece of cake. Probably.” Jared folded his arms over his chest, looking at the door to Aaron’s room with trepidation.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Troy set a gentle hand on Jared’s shoulder. “It’s a huge responsibility.”
He never would have asked Jared to do something like this. He’d just expected the guy to turn up and talk him through options until he settled on one that worked for everyone. Except he’d come in here like some damned knight and saved the day. Those kids would be foolish to turn down Jared’s help.
“I know, but I think I need to do this. For them, for me, and for you. I had thought about it, you know, since I got certified but then never needed it for Tate. The past year in particular, I started thinking maybe I should look into helping some kids, even if I just did the temporary stays of a night here and there.” Jared finally turned his attention from the closed door to look up at him. “This feels right. All of it does, really. Those kids need help, and I can help them.”
He shook his head, a little in awe of the man standing next to him, so certain about taking on such a huge, selfless responsibility.
“Jared, you are—”
Jared slapped a hand over his mouth. “If you say amazing one more time, I’m going to spank you.”
He reached up and wrapped his fingers around Jared’s wrist to yank his hand down.
“Promise?” he practically purred at the guy.
Jared gave a surprised laugh and shook his head. “Not when the kids are in the house. Keep it in your pants, Mister.”
“Pity,” he murmured as Jared headed for the room.
When they walked in, Lewis and Aaron seemed to be in the middle of an argument, both of them shutting up real quick when he and Jared entered.
“Problem?” Jared asked.
Aaron was halfway to getting dressed, pants on and hospital gown tossed to the floor.
“Aaron was going to leave,” Lewis said defiantly, crossing his arms and pinning a stubborn glare on his cousin.
“Dammit, Lewis!”
Aaron stomped his feet into his ratty trainers, glaring at them. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care if you know. You can’t stop us.”
“Okay,” Jared replied easily, as if he really didn’t care. Troy was about to yell what the hell at him, when he saw Jared flashing what he thought might have been a calm down signal at him behind his back. Either that or sit down. Drop down? Like he was a damned spaniel or something? No, had to be calm down.
“Where are you going?” Jared went over to sit on the end of the bed again, looking like he couldn’t care less. Oh, the guy was smooth. These two didn’t stand a chance. Having Tate as a younger brother had clearly paid off for Jared when it came to teenage boys. Troy shifted to lean against the wall so he could enjoy the show.
“He’s going back to the park like an idiot.” Now Lewis’s voice was accusatory. “Don’t you get it, Aaron? This is our chance to get out like we talked about. Let’s just leave. We’ll go to the bus station and start heading north.”
Aaron glanced at him and Jared but then clearly dismissed them both out of hand as being any kind of obstacle. “Yeah, well, all the money we’ve been saving is stashed in the tent. So we need to go back and get it if we want to buy a bus ticket, Lewis.”
Lewis’s face fell, and Troy honestly felt bad for the kid.
“Okay, we’ll go back,” Lewis said in a small voice. “But only for the money. Then we’re gone.”
“You could do that,” Jared said conversationally. “Or you could find somewhere to stay for a few days. Hot meals, nice soft beds, shower in an actual bathroom, TV, cable, free Wi-Fi. Hide out for a while. Just until you figure things out properly. Make a concrete plan.”
Aaron turned to him with a scowl. “Oh yeah, and where is this magical place?”
“My house,” Jared said, gaze settling on Lewis. No doubt because out of the two of them, Lewis was more willing to trust, and likely where Lewis went, so would Aaron. “I live with my brother. He’s a few years older than you. Just finished at Everness High a few months ago. Tate Winters.”
“Tate Winters is your brother?” Lewis squeaked. Aaron shot him a quelling glance, but the kid paid no attention. “The guy who won more medals for the Everness High swim team than any other swimmer in the school’s history?”
“Yeah, that’s him.” Jared gave an exaggerated eye roll. “Just, whatever you do, don’t mention it to him. His head is already so big it takes up half the house.”
“Aaron. Please?” Lewis looked at his cousin, puppy dog eyes in full effect.
“Just because he’s Tate’s brother doesn’t mean we can trust them,” Aaron argued, but from the lack of conviction in his voice, it sounded like he already knew it was a lost cause.
“But Tate seems like a good guy,” Lewis returned stubbornly. “And do you honestly want to sleep in a tent again tonight when we could sleep in an actual bed? Eat regular meals. Take a shower somewhere that’s not a shower block. Dammit, Aaron, the sandwich Ranger Troy brought us today was the best thing we’ve eaten in over a week! I’m sick of it. I’m sick of Dad and Uncle Benny. I’m sick of them drinking away every dollar they get their hands on. I’m sick of watching you get hurt. The house is gone. Neither of them can hold down a job. What are we going to do come winter? I don’t want to be freezing my nuts off in a tent. I want to go back to school after summer break. I want things to be normal again.”
Troy held his breath, capturing Jared’s troubled gaze when he glanced over his shoulder. Lewis had just laid out everything they’d suspected in stark truth. There was no longer any doubt in his mind. He was going to call CPS as soon as possible and get the process started so Jared could become Lewis and Aaron’s foster parent.
He just wouldn’t tell the kids about it quite yet. Not until things were set in stone. He got the feeling at this point, any mention of CPS would send Aaron bolting. No way was he letting these kids escape to the bus station and head north. He’d heard too many stories about what happened to runaway teens on the streets of the big cities, the things they had to subject themselves to in order to survive. No way did he want that for Lewis and Aaron when he and Jared might be able to give them something closer to normal.
“Okay,” Aaron conceded, ending with him grumbling when Lewis tackle-hugged him onto the bed. “But only for a night or two. Just until we can get our money and figure out what to do.”
“Thank you, Aaron,” Lewis gushed. He flopped sideways on the mattress. “I can’t believe we get to sleep in actual beds tonight. Oh! Can we order pizza?”
Lewis snapped upright with all the infectious enthusiasm of a puppy.
Jared laughed, clearly charmed. “Somehow I think you and Tate are going to get on just fine. Pizza is his favorite.”
“Really?” Lewis blushed and didn’t seem to know whether he was perturbed or excited about that information. Troy caught sight of Aaron shaking his head in exasperation, and pieces started fitting together in his mind. The expression on Lewis’s face when he’d realized he and Jared were together. His insistence that it was fine and making sure they knew neither he nor Aaron were homophobic like their dads apparently were. The fact that Lewis knew all about Tate’s swimming medals and his blush just now at Jared’s words.
Oh. Oh damn.
He tried not to smile when he realized there was a good possibility Lewis was gay and had a massive crush on Jared’s brother. It was just too cute.
Doctor Ross came in with the discharge paperwork and Aaron’s inhaler. Like a lot of things, Aaron seemed unimpressed about it, but Lewis took charge, promising he’d make sure Aaron used it whenever he got wheezy or short of breath.
As they made their way out of the hospital, Troy trailed a few steps behind, watching as Lewis and Jared chatted like old friends, while the pair of them tried to draw Aaron out, earning a few reluctant laughs from him. Jared was so at ease with them, Troy felt full in his chest. Funny, but seeing them like that, they almost felt like a family. His family.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“YOU’VE BEEN quiet since we left the hospital.” Jared dropped down next to Troy on the sofa, handing him a beer. Del had been out when he’d arrived home with two teenage boys, Troy, and pizza in tow, but Tate had barely batted an eyelid and taken it all in stride when Jared had explained the situation. Tate had simply offered to help unpack the shopping bags of essentials Jared had bought for them and led the pair to the spare bedroom. Now Tate, Lewis, and Aaron were all lounging over cushions and beanbags on the floor playing on one of Tate’s game consoles.
“Long-ass day,” Troy muttered, sounding tired.
“Sure has been,” he agreed, gaze traveling over his new occupants. “You make that call?”
“Yeah, when you took the boys to get pizza.” Troy still didn’t sound happy about things, but they’d both agreed it was time to get CPS involved and do things by the book to ensure the best chance of Lewis and Aaron being placed with him. Just like the first time he’d brought up CPS, he got the feeling there was something more personal when it came to Troy’s reluctance to see the kids end up in the foster system. But since Jared was keeping the disaster of his relationship with Kevin close to his vest, he didn’t expect Troy to spill all his secrets five minutes after they’d met.
“What about you?” Troy asked quietly after a moment.
“While they were eating and Tate was keeping them entertained,” he answered in the same low tone so they wouldn’t be overheard. He didn’t think he needed to worry too much about that, however. The volume on the zombie-killing game the three boys were playing was somewhere around deafening while they goofed around and laughed over something. With the three boys getting along so well and the younger two seeming at home already, he just prayed things with child services worked out and the pair were permanently placed with him.
It was no doubt crazy, upending his whole life and suddenly taking on the responsibility of two teenage boys. But like he’d told Troy, it felt right, and he figured they wouldn’t be much more troubl
e than his own younger brother.
The process was now rolling and somewhat out of his hands. While Troy had called to report the situation and strongly suggested him as a candidate to take Lewis and Aaron, Jared had also called and explained the situation to the case worker he’d been transferred to and pleaded his case for the expediency of becoming Lewis and Aaron’s foster parent. The woman he’d talked with had seemed very positive about the whole thing and told him she’d work closely with him to see if they could make it happen but of course hadn’t promised anything.
Troy sighed, and Jared glanced over to see his expression creased in concern. He reached over and curled a hand around Troy’s thigh, just above his knee.
“Try not to worry. We’re doing everything we can for them. I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end.”
“I hope so,” Troy murmured, before shifting to face him. “So, boyfriend, huh?”
He gave a self-conscious laugh, feeling his cheeks warm. “I was wondering when you were going to call me on that. It just seemed easier to explain over guy I want to fuck but can’t seem to get into bed.”
“Yep, in that case, boyfriend was the far better option.” Troy grinned. “You’re just lucky I didn’t drop dead of a heart attack right there. Thought for sure I was going to pass out for a second.”
“Oh God, I’m so sorry.” Dammit, he was an idiot. He shouldn’t have made presumptions Troy would be okay with basically being outed. He’d just been so chill about everything else, he’d honestly forgotten this was all new to him.
“Hey.” Troy cupped the back of his neck with a large, warm palm. “Quit spiraling or whatever it is you’re doing right now. Yeah, I was surprised because I never expected to be claimed as another man’s boyfriend, but it was the good kind of surprised.”
“It was?” He searched Troy’s open expression, looking for even the slightest hint of uncertainty and not finding any. Relief flowed through him in calming waves.
“Definitely.” A small smile played over Troy’s lips, one that was almost shy. “Actually, I really liked it. I don’t suppose….”
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