Page 44 of Sir Avery's Wish
“I don’t know the details. Zane and Rogan are on their way over now.” Avery gathered Eli in his arms. “He’ll tell us everything then, but I’m so damn relieved.”
Eli hugged him back. “Yeah, me too.”
He couldn’t believe the nightmare was over. After all the terror and panic, the anxiety always at the back of his mind, no matter how safe Avery made him feel or how far away he was, had held him hostage ever since that horrible night. Could he finally let go of his fears?
“Oh my God, Lenny.” Eli let go of Avery. “I have to call him.”
“Sweetheart, you should wait to hear what Rogan has to say.” Avery gave his arm a light squeeze. “Lenny will want toknow everything the same as you, but you won’t be able to answer him.”
Tears filled Eli’s eyes. Not only did Lenny need to be called, but his family did, too. Even if it wasn’t his fault, he still blamed himself for putting them through so much agony.
Avery stroked Eli’s cheek. “Look at me, precious boy.” Avery smiled. “That’s it. I’m here, you’re safe. And you’ll be able to speak with Lenny and your parents soon.”
Eli nodded, though his mind raced. Would the constant low-level dread that was his unwelcome companion truly be erased? He could barely wrap his head around the concept.
“It’s a lot to process, so be kind to yourself.” Avery continued brushing his knuckles across Eli’s cheek. “But regardless of what Rogan tells us, you always have a place here with me. Nothing changes that.”
The words settled something deep inside him, a knot in his body that couldn’t be untangled that was coming loose at last. The relief was so immense, he thought the power of the emotion might crack him open.
Eli glanced down at the contract on his lap, the signature line waiting. Everything seemed different now, as if the world had more color and light. The desperate escape that had driven him to the other side of the country no longer informed his decisions. Instead, he had a genuine choice about the life he wanted to build.
“Can I still sign this?”
Avery’s eyes widened slightly, his expression shifting from concern to something tender. “Of course you can. But only if you’re still sure. This changes things for you.”
“That’s why I’m more sure than ever that this is what I want.” Eli’s voice remained steady. “Before, I was running away from something. Now I can choose to run toward something instead.”
Avery’s eyes glimmered. He reached for Eli’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Let me get a pen.”
Avery quickly returned with pen in hand. Eli was giddy with excitement, his hands shaking as he initialed each spot and added his signature. When he was done, he handed the papers to Avery so he could do the same. Before they had the chance to seal the moment with a kiss, the doorbell rang.
Eli’s shoulders fell. “Oh, man. I wasn’t ready for them to be here yet.”
Avery gave him a chaste kiss, then whispered, “There’s still plenty of ice cream and chocolate sauce in our future.”
Eli snickered. “I’m fine with just the chocolate.”
Avery laughed. “Works for me.” He winked. “I’ll let them in. Deep breaths, okay?”
“Yes, Sir.” He let out a long exhale. Using Avery’s title made all the difference.
Avery rose, placing their signed contract on a side table, then headed toward the front door. Eli rubbed his palms against his thighs, trying to calm the nervous energy that thrummed through his body. This was it. This was the moment he’d find out if he could truly live instead of merely surviving.
The sound of voices drifted from the entryway. Zane’s familiar baritone mixed with Rogan’s deeper, rougher voice, which carried a heavy Bostonian accent. Eli straightened his posture and took another deep breath, the way Avery had shown him.
Footsteps approached the den, and Eli rose to his feet as Avery returned with the two men. He was probably the picture of a complete basket case.
Zane stepped forward first, his usual easy smile in place. “Hello, Eli. How are you holding up?”
“I'm okay.” His response bordered on a croak. He took another breath before continuing. “Just anxious to hear what you found out.”
Rogan moved into the room behind Zane, his imposing frame filling the doorway. Despite his intimidating appearance, Rogan’s expression held a warmth that put Eli slightly more at ease.
“Good to see you again, Eli.” The corner of his mouth quirked in a smile. “I’ve got news from my contact that should put your mind at rest.”
Avery gestured toward the seating area. “Please, sit. Can I get anyone coffee or something else to drink?”
Eli frowned, momentarily thrown off kilter. A section of the contract dealt with his responsibilities within the household. Since he had no idea what he wanted to do yet, and he loved the dynamic between Ryan and Zane, he’d agreed to take care of the house. Maybe someday he’d want a career outside of the house. But for now, exploring what it meant to be a boy to his Sir, a partner to Avery, and possibly a student again, was what would make him happy.
