Page 16 of Sir Avery's Wish
The smile Eli offered him was a great sign. “Thank you.” He hugged the pillow tighter. “Seriously, I don't know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything,” Ty chimed in. “Everyone needs help sometimes. I actually started out as a dishwasher, too. It helped me feel more comfortable while I worked through my stuff.” He shrugged. “You know, not having to interact with the public.”
Ryan nodded vigorously against Zane’s chest, his thumb still firmly lodged in his mouth. Zane stroked Ryan’s head, the need to spend some time alone with his boys important. Even though Ryan was the one who brought Eli home, his schedule had been disrupted. Ty also needed his attention so he wouldn’t feel as if he was being left out. They could all snuggle in bed together and fall asleep to one of their favorite films.
Something happy and calming.
“I think it’s time we all get some sleep,” Zane announced. “Ty, would you show Eli to the guest room?”
Ty nodded and stood, stretching his arms above his head. “Come on, Eli. I'll grab you some towels and show you where everything is.”
Eli carefully placed the throw pillow back on the couch and stood. “Thank you, really. I won’t be any trouble.”
“I know you won't,” Zane said. “We'll talk more in the morning.”
After Ty led Eli upstairs, Zane lifted Ryan into his arms. His boy was lighter than he looked, all gangly limbs and nervous energy. Ryan snuggled against his chest, sucking away furiously on his thumb. Once he sent the boys to brush their teeth and get ready for bed, he’d text Avery.
As he carried Ryan up to their bedroom, Avery’s panic over Eli’s situation drifted through his mind. What was it about the young man that had his friend so worked up?
Chapter Five
The text from Zane the night before regarding Eli had been such a relief, but also quite remarkable. What were the chances that his closest friend would be the one to stumble across him? Although it was Ryan who’d done the stumbling. Eli was fortunate that not only had he gone to that particular shelter, but that Ryan had such a good heart.
As Avery drove through the streets of Boston toward Club Sensation to meet with Zane for dinner, he gave himself an inner pep talk. He wouldn’t insist on seeing Eli, even if all he wanted to do was apologize for upsetting him. Zane had already made it clear that Eli wasn’t ready for any interaction yet and might never be.
The realization settled like a stone in his chest. Why did this one young man affect him so deeply? Even when he worked with a sub, he didn’t carry that level of interest. But now he was overwhelmed with concern over an employee to whom he’d barely spoken more than a few sentences?
Avery gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles whitening against the leather. He’d replayed their brief encounter at the hotel dozens of times, analyzing every word, every gesture. The way Eli had flinched when he'd raised his voice. The terror in his expression.
He pressed his lips in a thin line. He'd handled the situation all wrong. His usual commanding presence, which worked so well in business and the club, had clearly been the worst possible approach with someone so fragile. Someone running from God knew what kind of trouble.
The familiar brick facade of Club Sensation came into view, breaking into his worrying thoughts. He got lucky and found a parking spot on the street not too far from the entrance, so optedout of using the valet. He sat for a moment in the quiet of his car, watching other members arrive for their evening activities.
At last, he made a decision. He needed to compartmentalize this turn of events, the way he did everything else in his life. Eli was a business matter now. Nothing more. An employee who’d required assistance and found what he needed with Zane.
The lie tasted bitter even as he tried to convince himself of its truth.
Avery stepped out into the cool evening air, straightening his charcoal wool coat. The familiar sounds of the city—traffic, distant music from a nearby restaurant, the click of heels on pavement—usually grounded him. Tonight, the urban soundtrack felt muted, as if he were experiencing it through glass.
He pushed through the restaurant’s entrance, located to the right of the club. He approached Gabe at the host station. The low lighting and familiar surroundings should’ve relaxed him, but his shoulders remained rigid. The soft sounds of conversation and clinking silverware drifted in from the dining room, punctuated by the occasional laugh.
“Good evening, sir.”
Gabe’s smile wasn’t a perfunctory staff response to a nameless stranger. Avery had known him since back in the day when he and Zane had employed him at the resort.
“Hello, Gabe. How are you doing?”
“Wonderful, thank you. Master Zane is already seated.”
Avery nodded. “Are there any scallops left?”
His mouth had been watering ever since Zane mentioned they were getting some in. They usually went pretty fast.
Gabe chuckled. “Don’t worry. Master Zane made sure to save a generous portion.”
Avery smirked and patted his stomach. “Not sure I need to go overboard, as it were. I haven’t been to the gym very much lately.”
A touch of pink tinged Gabe’s cheeks. “I’m sure you have nothing to worry about in that department.”
