AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hummed happily as I returned Andy’s kiss, my hands finding their way under his shirt to map out the lines and ridges of his perfect body. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Andy answered. “And as much as I’d like to strip you naked and explore your body again, you know my dad is outside waiting for us to tell him we hate it. It would be awkward.”
I giggled. “You’re not wrong.” I touched his cheek with the palm of my hand as I stared into his hazel orbs. I saw the worry and anxiety before he pushed them away. “Only us,” I murmured.
***
Everyone was sprawled out around the backyard of the Olson house as the party went into the early evening. Usually Killian and Matthias left early, claiming they had a young child who needed his rest, but Archer was tucked upstairs sleeping soundly while they causally checked in on him through the baby monitor they had brought with them. I caught the way RJ kept eye-fucking the twins while talking to Parker, and Lucas was watching them like a protective bodyguard.
Andy was faking his happiness. I saw it when he thought I wasn’t looking. The way his walls came down and his feelings appeared on his face before he hid them with a pretend smile. One that didn’t reach his eyes. I wasn’t sure if Andy was actually listening to what Maverick was saying to him or just nodding along when he thought he needed to.
“Are you going to christen the new place?” Felix’s question brought me back to reality. “Nice new bed and all.” He wiggled his brows, and I rolled my eyes at him.
Ford huffed. “Not everyone wants to have sex twenty-four hours a day, Fe. Maybe they’re just going to cuddle and go to bed. That’s what couples do.”
“Why are you making me feel like a slut right now, Ford? You were in that room with RJ, too, and you enjoyed—”
Ford clamped his hand over his brother’s mouth, his cheeks flaming red. “Don’t. You. Dare.” He hissed before he met my eyes. “That goes for you, too, Leo.”
“But I have so many questions.” I grinned, only to have Ford scowl at me. “Okay, but you know I’m here for you, and if you need to talk about anything, I won’t judge you. Either of you. I only want you to be happy.”
Ford dropped his hand from Felix’s mouth. “We’re still friends?”
“We’ve always been friends,” I assured him.
Even though I was still upset about him telling Andy to break up with me, I wasn’t about to hold it against him forever. I could see how sorry he was when he looked at me. The guilt he carried.
Felix nudged his brother, who nodded at me. Just as Ford opened his mouth, Maverick let out a high-pitched squeal. We spun to watch as he rushed toward Jackson, who had appeared in the backyard. Seth and Noel were already hugging Wyatt, the smile on their faces saying everything. It was always happy to watch them reunite, even if they had only been separated for aday. Andy approached his father, and Jackson broke into a big smile as he hugged his son, keeping his husband tucked to his side. Then the twins joined them, and Lucas moved in, making it the perfect family Christmas card.
“They make a stunning family.” Parker appeared next to me, their dark eyes sparkling with happiness. “You were right. Maverick isn’t so bad.”
I grinned. “Wait until he tells you to call him dad.” Parker turned red, and I threw my head back laughing. “Or did he say that already?”
“Sort of. He said that he knew I had a great father in Mason, but if I wanted another, he would certainly help fill that position,” Parker muttered, then broke into a smile. I didn’t care what they said about me being pretty. They were absolutely stunning.
I glanced over to where the twins were gesturing wildly as they spoke with Jackson. Maverick caught me staring and waved me over. I grabbed Parker’s hand. “Come on.”
“What? Oh, no, this is a family thing.” They tried to untangle our fingers, but I held strong. “Leo, no.” Parker tried to pry my hand away.
I nodded. “All right, if you’re sure, but just know that if you and Lucas are a thing? You’re family now, too. And that’s forever. Maverick will always include you.”
“We’re not... It’s... Really?” Parker chewed on their bottom lip as confusion flirted across their face.
“Yeah, really. Maverick and Jackson are amazing people. Trust me when I tell you that they will welcome you into their home without question. They will feed you, clean your clothes, and treat you like one of their own. Even if things with Lucas don’t work out.”
Parker gave me another shy smile. “Okay.”
“Okay?” My brows shot up, and when they gave me a quick nod, I hooked my arm through theirs, then we walked over to where the Olsons were standing.
Maverick welcome us both with a quick hug before he pulled back and touched Parker’s face, pushing their hair behind their ear. “I’m glad you’re here, kiddo.”
“Thank you.” Parker blushed. “Me, too.”
Then Andy was pulling me against his chest, his arms tight around my body. I leaned my chin on his chest as he leaned down to kiss me.
“You doing okay, hon?” I asked, even though I knew he wasn’t. I could see everything he wouldn’t tell me in his eyes. The fear, the anxiety, and the worry he was trying so desperately to hide.
“Better now that you’re here,” Andy said quietly. The sudden urge to drag him to our house hit me hard, but I somehow refrained.
