Page 18 of Manny Included

“Not yet.It won’t take long.They’re very open, as a rule.”And hopefully, they would bounce back from this, too.

“Yeah?I hope so.We’re all stuck with each other now.”

“Yes.”

Bay stared at him.“So, you… do you have a romantic partner?Someone waiting for you?”

“No.No, I haven’t had time for relationships—romantic or otherwise.”He’d been taking care of a family, being a vital part of something that worked.

Bay nodded.“Now that I understand.When you’re focused on your work, other things tend to fall by the wayside.”

“They do, and I love being part of a family.”He’d loved it.

“The kids obviously love you.The provision didn’t need to be made in the will—I totally would have kept you on anyway.It’s clear you belong.”

“I—I do.I love them.They’re my family.I know it’s strange, maybe, but I wasn’t Tony’s employee.I was family.”

“I can see that.I can’t imagine Tony and Cindy believing you were just a ‘servant’.They were great people.”

“They were.They were my best friends.”He began to cry, and he was afraid this time, he wouldn’t be able to stop.

He thought he heard Bay mutterfuck, but then the man came over and gave him awkward pats and a bit of a hug around Eric.

“I’m sorry.I’m all right.”God, he was so embarrassed.

“You’re grieving,” Bay said.“You want me to take Eric back to bed?”

“Please.”He wanted to sink into the ground.

Bay picked Eric up, who whimpered a little and clung onto him like a limpet.

“Shh… you’re okay.”

Pete managed to make it until Bay disappeared before he lost it, crying hard.

At some point, Bay returned, arms wrapping around him.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered, still crying and holding on.

“Shh.You don’t have to say anything.I get it.”

Bay was so kind, and he needed someone to care for him, so badly.

Bay shifted, sitting on the arm of the chair and let him just let it all out.

Finally he sagged, suddenly exhausted, ready to fall asleep, right there.Bay remained quiet, simply holding him and letting him do what he needed to do.Maybe he could sleep.Just for a bit.

Just until his heart stopped hurting.

He had no clue how long he’d actually slept, but the next thing he knew, he was blinking awake to the sun beginning to come up through the window, Bay awkwardly wrapped around him, still mostly on the arm of the big chair.Jesus, he was stiff enough from sleeping in the chair, Bay was gonna be hurting when he woke up.

“Oh, honey.You’re going to be aching.”He shifted, trying to give Bay more space.

Bay jerked, head coming up.“Huh?What?”He looked around, clearly a little confused and still sleep-addled.

“We fell asleep in the chair,” he explained.

“Oh, right.Damn.”Bay stood and winced, started rolling his head on his neck.“I do not recommend it.”