“No, my husband. My kid, now.” Jackson growled at the girl behind the small desk. “Small man with white hair, green eyes? Bundled in layers of clothes.”
She nodded. “Right this...Are you all together?” she asked as she saw us.
“We are. My boyfriend is here, too. He’s the one with freckles,” I told her.
She didn’t say anything but led us toward the back of the room towards a door and knocked before she led us inside. The moment Ezra saw me, he burst into tears, and I gathered him in my arms as he sobbed.
“It’s all my fault,” he sobbed. “If something happened to Leo or Andy...” He buried his face in my neck.
Maverick was whispering softly to Jackson, who was looking more and more like he was going commit murder while Noel looked completely out of place. Killian was hugging Matthias, and Watts was holding Holt against him.
“It wasn’t Ty,” I assured Ezra as I rubbed his back. “Princess, he’s not here.”
He nodded his head. “I swear I saw him. I just froze, and my knees gave out. I guess I started screaming. Someone thought I was being attacked and called security. I’m so embarrassed. Now we can’t find the boys. This is all my fault.”
“It’s not your fault,” I murmured.
“When was the last time anyone saw Andy and Leo?” Killian asked as he pulled Matthias onto his lap.
That was interesting to see. They were about the same height and weight, but Killian acted like it was no big deal. He hooked an arm around Matthias so he could haul him down onto his legs before Matthias buried his face in his neck. It was pure love between them.
Maverick wrapped his arms around Jackson. “About two hours ago, maybe? We got to the mall, told them to meet us back where we came in, and that was it. Dean called me. It got all fucked up after that.” His chin started to quiver.
“I’m not leaving without my brother. I don’t care if I have to search every nook and cranny of this place.” Noel gritted his teeth. “He’s still here. I can feel it.”
“I can help.” Wyatt spoke up from the doorway. “I mean, I know you don’t know me, but I don’t have anything else to do.”
Noel tilted his head. “Who are you?”
“Uh, Wyatt Murray. I’m a friend of Jackson’s.” His lips twitched like he might smile.
Noel’s nostrils flared as he took him in. “More eyes would be good, thanks.”
Ezra struggled against me. “We should be out there right now. Looking for them. What if someone took them and hid them somewhere? What if he...what if...” His chest moved as he tried to get himself under control.
“Breathe, princess, you’re going to make yourself sick. You’ve already had a stressful couple of days.” I tilted his head up. “Maybe they got sidetracked somewhere. They could have gone to the arcade or the food court. We were teenagers once, remember?”
Jackson made a noise in his throat. “Carson’s right. Mav and I got into a lot of trouble when we were kids. I’m sure you two did, too, right?”
“We did.” Ezra sniffed softly. “Maybe they just lost track of time.”
Holt worried his lip between his teeth. “It’s Christmas time. It’s really crowded here. Maybe someone should go back out to where we were supposed to meet them and—”
“I’ll do it,” Noel blurted. “I don’t have any reason to be standing around playing slap dick, and I need to make sure my brother is okay before I lose my damn mind.” He started toward the door. “You guys okay with that?” He glanced over his shoulder.
“Noel!” Leo burst into the room and threw himself at his brother. “Oh my god, I thought I was never going to see you again.”
Maverick launched himself at Andy the second he saw his son standing in the doorway, and Jackson stood back for a moment before his husband reached for him. I felt a warmth spread over me as the family reunited.
Ezra let out a soft sob.
“It’s okay,” I assured him.
“Y’all look like you’re in mourning here. Is this because of us? We lost track of time and then we couldn’t find you at the meeting spot.” Leo stared up at his brother.
Noel hugged him closer again. “Everything is fine.”
“You’re not mad.” Leo let out a soft chuckle before he untangled himself from his brother. “I just need to make sure Ezra is all right.”
