Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
All they asked of donors was that they took the other child into consideration. In other words, if Gray bought something for Jayden, the nice thing to do was make sure his little roommate didn’t feel left out.
Jayden walked over to the bed and pointed at the shelf sticking out from the side of the top bunk. The bottom bunk didn’t have one. There was a nightstand instead. “My action figure can sleep here.”
“That’s a perfect place for an action figure,” Adeline agreed. “Does it have a name?”
Gray swallowed hard. Jayden seemed to be accepting things all right, but it still felt wrong. He didn’t wanna leave the kid behind.
“I haven’t thought of one,” Jayden said and scrunched his nose.
Out in the hallway, there was some mild commotion, letting everyone know that the dinner rush appeared to be over. Those who had eaten in the cafeteria were returning.
“Maybe Justin can help you tomorrow,” Adeline suggested. “He named his teddy bear Frank.”
Jayden gigglesnorted. “Frank…”
Adeline smirked a little. “So, have you eaten dinner, Jayden?”
He shrugged and nodded, then shook his head and turned to Gray in question. “Did we eat dinner?”
“Not really, buddy,” Gray answered. “It’s been a few hours.”
“How about you and I have dinner, then?” Adeline proposed. “I haven’t eaten yet either, and it’s mac-and-cheese day. I think they’re serving it with chicken and bacon today.”
Fuck. She was wrapping things up. It was her subtle cue to let Gray and Darius know it was time for them to leave. Dragging out the goodbyes was never good, even though this wasn’t a farewell in that sense.
“I like mac and cheese,” Jayden claimed.
Darius, who had stood still in the doorway, cleared his throat. “I’ll go get his bags.”
Jayden became quiet and glanced around the room. Maybe it was hitting him now that this was it.
Gray pushed past the queasiness churning in his stomach and sat down in one of the desk chairs.
“Come here.”
Jayden walked over to him and stared down at the floor.
“I’ll be here to pick you up at ten tomorrow.” Gray lifted Jayden’s chin, then touched his cheek. “We’re gonna go to Target and pick up some cool things for you and Justin.”
Jayden nodded.
“Remember our goal?” Gray murmured. “I’m not letting you go.”
“Okay, good,” Jayden whispered. “You gotta work on your nightmares.”
Gray exhaled a thick laugh and looked away in an attempt to get his shit together. “I’m gonna work so hard,” he promised. “In the meantime, we’ll see each other several times a week. And while you’re here, you listen to Adeline and the other grown-ups. I think you can make some great friends here too.” He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Jayden’s forehead. It earned him that little quirk of a grin. “Easy on the cursing, yeah?” Gray lightened the tension. “We don’t want the other kids running around yelling shit, goddammit, and motherfucker.”
That made Jayden laugh. “That would be fun.”
“I’m sure you think so,” Gray chuckled. He had to go while they were smiling. He stole a quick hug from Jayden before he rose from the chair. “Tomorrow, ten AM. Teeth brushed, clothes on.”
Jayden smirked up at him. “Wilco.”
Gray smiled and cuffed him lightly on the chin. “We’re gonna rock this.” He cleared his throat and faced Adeline, who coughed and quickly blinked away the extra shine in her eyes. “Can you let me know some things the other boy likes?”
“Of course, honey. That’s sweet of you. I’ll email you a list later tonight.”
Gray inclined his head and walked out of the room, resisting the urge to look back even once. He’d fucking lose it if he did. But, fuck, he remembered something and had to turn around once he reached the stairs.
“Adeline,” he called.
She poked her head out of the room. “Yes?”
“He has a phone,” Gray said. “It’s in the bags Darius is bringing up. And I know your policy on them, but can he keep it the first night? He doesn’t have any numbers he’s not allowed to call.”
All residents, including adults, kept their phones in a locker in Adeline’s office. It was to prevent children who didn’t always understand the situation and wanted to call, say, their dad—whom their mother was hiding from. It was also a way to ensure abusers couldn’t reach their spouses. All it took was a weak moment for the abused to take the call.
“I’ll let Luis know,” she replied with a nod. Gray did an internal fist pump. Luis was great with kids and was one of her few full-time employees. He brought his guitar and played songs for the children. “Now, get out of here.” Adeline narrowed her eyes playfully. “Don’t think I can’t see what’s going on, Gray. You’re in trouble with this one.”
Gray flushed uncharacteristically and hightailed it down the stairs to the sound of Adeline’s laughter. Of course she could see how attached Gray was to Jayden. Of-fucking-course she could.