Chapter 48

EVERETT

When Waylon calms down a little, I take his face in my palms and mentally prepare to ask him what's going on in his mind as I watch his shoulders slump and shake. With an unsure hand, I pull him into my chest. Hugging him tightly against my chest, I run my fingers through his hair.

"I need you as much as you need me, Mr Thorne."

He sucks in a deep breath and makes an odd noise at the back of his throat. But he doesn't say anything.

"I want you in my life, Waylon." Softly, I whisper next to his earlobe. "You're very much needed. Never forget that."

Still looking down at his hands, he sniffles loudly.

"Why are you crying, Mr Thorne?" I slowly chew on the inside of my lower lip. "Is something bothering you?" Exhaling, I try to offer him a comforting small smile. "Maybe I can lend you an ear and hear you out if you want to tell me what's bothering you. At least I can hear all about your problems."

He shakes his head softly.

"It's nothing."

"It's not not nothing." Growing unusually