Deserted - Auctioned

So yeah, it was definitely a good thing they would slow things down.

They would focus on Jayden. It was the one road Gray wanted paved.

“I’m sorry if I’ve put too much pressure on you.” Darius reached out and touched Gray’s cheek. “I guess a side of me is still obsessing about having you with me so I can keep an eye on you.”

It was sweet. And seriously an awful reason to move in together and act like a family.

“It’s okay. We’re both new at this.” Gray leaned in and kissed him chastely. “We should get back on the road.”

Darius nodded with a dip of his chin.

On the way back to the truck, he said, “One more thing, though.”

“Yeah?” Gray opened the door on his side and climbed in behind the wheel.

Darius got in too. “I think we need to prepare ourselves for the possibility that Jayden is part of a package deal now.”

There it was. Gray chewed on his lip and pulled out of the parking lot. It was another topic he’d avoided. Some denial had been involved too, but deep down, he’d felt this coming. He also knew Adeline was well aware. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have mentioned the boys’ “grand plan.”

“Are you okay with that?” Gray asked hesitantly.

He had to confess it was a daunting idea to adopt Justin too. Chances were he’d be classified as a special needs child even when he reached the age to start school, and Gray wanted to make sure he had what it took to be the parent Justin deserved. Right now, he couldn’t claim he was utterly confident. At the same time…man, the boy was precious.

If he allowed himself to be selfish for a moment, Gray also adored that Justin dragged out the affectionate side of Jayden. It was something Gray could admit he wanted more of. Touch was such a big part of his language, and he wanted to be able to hug Jayden more often. Meanwhile, Justin was a true cuddler.

“We’re in this together, right?” Darius asked—to make sure, maybe.

“Of course.” Gray knitted his brows together.

“Then, yeah, I don’t see a problem,” he said. “I’ve worked out the logistics already, and you’re a natural with them. You can teach me how to be more…fatherlike.”

Gray suppressed a grin and drove onto the highway again. “Hon, if working out the logistics is your first task, you’re already a father.” He chuckled to himself. Darius was too funny sometimes. And cute as hell. “Can I ask about these, uh, logistics?”

Darius shrugged and grabbed the thermos to pour himself some coffee. “I have the empty guest room upstairs—and my study. They’ll each get their own room. I can have a study I won’t use anywhere. And I have two cars. I make edible food, my work schedule is flexible, and I have my finances in order.”

Gray nodded slowly. Darius definitely had the logistics sorted out.

Gray couldn’t say the same.Around three in the afternoon, Gray called Adeline and sounded like he’d swallowed a desert. He said both Darius and he had a fever, at which Adeline expressed her sympathy and said she’d suspected he was coming down with something. Gray coughed for good measure and asked her to convey to Jayden and Justin that they’d have to see each other another day. He couldn’t promise the day after, but he’d keep in touch.

Adeline assured him she’d make sure the boys understood.

“Tell them they can text whenever,” Gray added with a cough.

“Sure, honey. Make sure you guys rest properly.”

After they hung up, Gray felt kinda bad, even though he knew this was the best option. No one could know the truth.

They kept driving, often in stretches long enough that they’d feel the change in climate at each stop.

It was seventy degrees outside when they reached San Jose a little past eight in the evening.

Darius had chosen the empty end of a parking lot in front of one of the big-box stores they were surrounded by. Palm trees were lit up by spotlights in the ground, and people around them went about their evening shopping as usual.

Gray groaned as he stepped out of the truck. “Jesus, my feet.” He wriggled his toes inside his sneakers and rolled his shoulders.

“Retaining water?” Darius guessed.

“Yeah. You?”

Darius nodded. “Try to keep them elevated for a while. I gotta get some sleep.” He yawned and glanced around them. “Mind staying awake for a few hours? I don’t want anyone to get any ideas.” He jerked his chin at the ATV in the bed of the truck.

“No, it’s fine.” Gray jumped in place to try to get his circulation back. “I can catch up with the guys in the group chat and make some plans with Abel.”

“Sounds good. How’re the guys doing?”

They were getting by, for the most part. “We’re all on the same roller coaster, I guess. Charlie seems to be feeling better. Tai doesn’t say much, but he posts pictures from Hawaii sometimes. Niko still hasn’t joined the chat.”