Deserted - Auctioned

Even though the hand was gone from his leg, he could still feel it.

He wanted it back.

He wanted…too much.After spending a few hours hiking through a desert landscape Jayden was weirdly fascinated by, they stopped outside of El Paso for the night. There was a cluster of motels, diners, a small grocery store, and Mexican restaurants, and Darius went inside one of the motels to get them a room.

Gray and Jayden stepped out of the SUV and stretched a bit.

“I like this one the best.” Jayden showed him a rounded rock he’d found during the hike.

“It’s pretty.” Gray smoothed down Jayden’s hair by running his fingers through it. “How’s your headache?”

It was possible they’d run out of water on the way back to the car.

The sunset in the desert was something else, though.

Jayden closed his eyes, evidently enjoying the sensations. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Good.” Gray scratched his scalp lightly and earned a hum of approval from Jayden. “Are you hungry?”

“Yeah. Can we get tacos?”

“Definitely.” They’d seen the one-dollar-taco signs coming off the interstate, and Jayden had exclaimed that he could buy eighty-two tacos with his money.

He’d bought a toy in Memphis the other day, his first one since he and Jonas had ended up on the streets. Both Gray and Darius had told him he didn’t have to pay for the action figure himself, but then…the look on Jayden’s face when he walked up to the register with the doll, clutching a twenty-dollar bill… Fucking Christ. This kid had wormed his way into Gray’s heart so quickly. Jayden had been so happy, he’d barely known how to react. He’d been quiet and smiling widely, eyes glassy. It’d been the first time Gray had seen the eight-year-old in him.

Gray peered around them in the parking lot, deciding between the two closest Mexican restaurants sharing the same lot as the motel. There were more on the other side of the main road, but the cantina closest to them served breakfast too. If dinner was good, they’d know where to go tomorrow morning.

When Darius returned, they grabbed their bags and trailed up to the second story where their room was just a few doors away from the stairs.

Darius strode into the room and dropped his duffel on the nearest bed.

Jayden skipped over to the other bed and flung his backpack on the bedspread.

Meanwhile, there was no pullout couch in this room. Gray had specifically asked for three beds—or two beds if there was a sofa bed—the previous nights.

“Did they not have any family rooms?” Gray asked.

Darius’s forehead creased as he looked around the modest space. “Didn’t ask. Is something missing?”

Gray lifted a brow. “A third place to sleep, maybe?”

At that, Darius rolled his eyes. “Since when—”

“Since I decided to get my shit together,” he interrupted irritably. Perhaps it was easy for Darius, but it wasn’t for Gray. If they crawled into bed together, it was only a matter of time before he’d seek comfort from Darius, and before they knew it, Gray would be begging to get fucked.

“Don’t fight,” Jayden said uncertainly. “I can sleep on the fl—”

“Don’t finish that sentence.” Gray rushed out the words and felt a brick of guilt smack into him. “We’ll make it work, sweetheart. Come on, let’s go eat so many tacos that we almost burst.”

Darius watched them but said nothing, so Gray took the lead and ushered Jayden outside again.

Christ. The boy’s offer made Gray’s stomach churn.

“We’re not fighting,” he made sure to add. “We’re just bitching. It’s what we do.”

Jayden squinted up to him. “You’re bitches?”

Darius chuckled behind them.

“He sure is,” Gray whispered conspiratorially.

Jayden snickered.Jayden’s eyes went large when the waiter arrived with their food. Since they’d all wanted tacos, they had ordered a family special: a platter with twenty soft tacos. They had chicken, ground beef, shrimp, and pulled pork to choose from, and each taco was topped with a shitload of cheese. In the middle of the platter were pockets of salsa, guacamole, and queso. A bowl of chips was already on the table.

“Darius, you’re gonna hafta eat lots,” Jayden said.

Darius grinned. “You underestimate Gray’s ability to eat for a whole hockey team. He eats more than I do.”

Gray cracked his knuckles dramatically and rolled his shoulders, playing along to make Jayden laugh.

“How many can you eat?” Jayden asked, intrigued.

Gray leaned over and bumped their foreheads together, then widened his eyes. “Four thousand.”

Jayden threw his head back and cracked up.

It was a heartwarming sound.

He’s amazing, Jonas.

It was the beginning of the best evening Gray had experienced in months, and it was all thanks to Jayden’s high spirits. Okay, Darius helped. He was in a good mood too. He was too fucking sexy for words and had the most charming grin, but Gray managed to keep his wits about himself. Somewhat.

“Can I try your beer?” Jayden asked Darius.