Page 58 of Heal
"I don't give a fuck where you are. Get here." Bryon hung up.
Beau blew out a breath as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. This wasn't going to be good. He'd never heard Bryon so angry.
With almost a full shift ahead of him, there was nothing he could do but focus on work until he was done. He'd head over to the STK house as soon as he could, but Bryon was just going to have to wait.
If focusing before the call was hard, it was impossible after hearing the tone in Bryon's voice. There was going to be hell to pay when he got to the house. Now he hoped his shift lasted forever, so he wouldn't have to go through what was going to happen.
He tried to focus on the kids, think about Parson, but all he could do was wonder what Bryon was going to say.
Even having lunch with Lisa and Jeff didn't ease his mind. He relaxed during the visit, laughing, and talking about how excited he was to have them come live with him. When he talked about things like shopping and doing things as a family, he could tell they really didn't believe him. It was going to take time to earn their trust, but he would find a way.
He already had appointments for the two of them to talk to a therapist. He scheduled them so each kid would go alone, then they would have one together. He doubted either kid would open up without the other there, but sooner or later, Jeff and Lisa would have to be apart. He could hold off putting them in school until after Thanksgiving break, but then he had to enroll them. Both needed to be around friends their own age, and find a stable schedule as soon as they could.
He still wasn't sure how to tell his father about the kids, but springing them on his family at Thanksgiving dinner wasn't the way to do it. He needed to tell them before he took them to dinner.
"Beau, a Parson Detry is out front asking to speak to you," one of the nurses told him.
"Thanks, send him back." Beau stood and tossed his coffee cup into the trash. Seeing Parson was better than caffeine any day. "Hi." He kept his hands to himself when all he wanted to do was pull Parson close and hold him.
"Hey, you look exhausted. Long night?" Parson asked.
"Overthinking everything. Making lists in my mind of what I need to do today before I bring the kids home tomorrow. I tossed and turned all night." He hated lying to Parson, but he couldn't tell him the truth. "I am taking them home tomorrow, right?"
Parson smiled. "You are. I have a few papers for you to sign, then they are free to go. Normally, I'd bring them to your home from here, but I figured you'd want to do that on your own."
"I'd actually like if you'd join us, if you can get away from work for it." Beau would take any time with Parson that he could.
"Sure. As far as work knows, I'm just delivering them to your door like usual." Parson handed Beau a file folder filled with papers. "Most of this is stuff you need to read through. Rules on inspections, doctor appointments, counseling. You can look through it when you have time. The front three pages are what need your signature."
"Let's go to the lounge." Beau led Parson down the hallway. "How are you?"
"I'm good. Did you hear anything more about that photo you sent me last night?"
Beau turned into the lounge, hating himself again for lying to Parson. "No, I gave them the information you gave me. I haven't heard anything back."
"I hope it turns into something. I never liked that creep."
Beau wished he could tell Parson every detail of what he'd done to the pedophile. He wanted to let Parson know that he would never hurt another child, but he had to play like he didn't know a thing. "Hopefully, the cops will handle it." He made sure the room was empty before turning to Parson and stepping close. "I'm going to steal a kiss."
"Only one?" Parson grinned as he gripped Beau's hips.
"I'd take you on the couch if I could. Tomorrow night I want you to come have dinner with the kids and me."
"Are you sure? Don't you want some time alone with them?"
Beau shook his head. "We'll have a lot of time alone, but I also want them to get used to you being part of our lives." He dipped his head and kissed Parson softly, then again, this time harder and with a bit more passion. "I really wish I could leave and take you home with me right now."
Parson laughed. "Soon, I promise."
"I'd ask you over tonight, but I have a meeting after work, then I need to sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a busy day, and if I don't get a good night's sleep first, I'll be dragging. I don't want to be worthless on the kids' first day home."
"We'll find the time. I'll join you for dinner tomorrow, then we can see when we can sneak a date in one night later this week. When does your nanny start?"
"He moves in tomorrow night sometime. I want the kids to get a chance to know him before I have to leave them all alone. I'm hoping he's as great as he seems. The kids have been through so much, I can't afford to hire someone who's not going to be good to them."
"Trust your gut. Nothing is going to be easy at first, but at least the kids already trust you. That's a lot more than most kids have when they are placed in a home." Parson sighed as his phone beeped. He read the message and frowned. "I have to get to the office for an unscheduled staff meeting. You want to sign those so I can file them?"
Beau nodded, quickly scanning the documents before signing his name. He never signed anything without his lawyers reading it first, but on this, he had to trust Parson. There wasn't time to wait. "There ya go." Beau handed the three pages back.
