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July took it and squeezed. He would get stronger. He wouldn’t let this happen to anyone else. July didn’t know how, but July wouldn’t be a blight in this world. He would change things. They would see. After all, he looked damn good in stomping boots. He could lace up his favorite pink pair and be a badass if he wanted. He looked Fletch’s way. July didn’t have to be too strong, though, and he was Fletch’s princess. He could be both.

Chapter Fourteen

When July had shown up at Leary’s door with several bags of stuff to play wedding, he half expected Leary to say no. As always, Leary didn’t let him down, even though he didn’t dress in women’s clothing or wear makeup.

“Oh my goodness, Leary. You’re so freaking adorable. JJ really should marry you so I can do this for real.”

Leary wore a huge grin as he looked down at the white pajamas July had found for him. “I think I’d like a white tux at my real wedding. I want a fancy day just for me.” He paused. When he spoke again, he sounded nervous. “If I ever get married, that is. If we never get married, I’ll still happily live my life with him.”

July clipped a pacifier with a blue ribbon to Leary’s chest. “There. Something blue. Don’t worry. JJ loves you. There’s no way he won’t marry you. You two are perfect for each other. Now, you need something borrowed.” July rooted around inside a bag and came out with a purple hippopotamus. “Okay, so this is my comfort hippo. His name is Tomus. I want this to be your something borrowed. You can keep him until JJ marries you. I know it won’t be long and you’ll take good care of him. He likes lots of cuddles.”

Leary’s hands closed around the weighted stuffie. He nodded as if he took every word to heart. “I’ll take really good care of him. Thank you.” He hugged the toy to his chest. “He’s so soft.” Leary rubbed his cheek on Tomus. “Oh, I know. We can exchange him back when Fletch marries you.”

July laughed. “Maybe don’t keep him that long. That’s something that’ll never happen in this lifetime.”

“I think it will.” Leary looked so adorably sure of himself. “He looks at you with pleading eyes when you’re not looking. I don’t know what you two are, exactly, but he wants to be with you. You’ll see. He’ll marry you one day. Probably sooner rather than later. How could he not want that? You’re an amazing person.”

Leary always made July warm inside. That day would never come. He should probably buy another hippo. Tomus was never coming home under Leary’s conditions. A hint of sadness sneaked in. He kind of wanted the life Leary painted. July already knew he would be dead before then. Maybe it was a good thing for Leary to hold on to his hippo. There would come a day that was all he would have left of July.

July ran in circles, looking for jewelry and makeup. No matter how meticulously he had set up his wedding outfit, he couldn’t get his shit together. July had no clue why he was so nervous. Today was the day all his dreams came true. He had a sexy fiancé who would be waiting for him at the altar. July hoped so anyway. If Fletch didn’t change his mind, that was. Oh, God. What if he changed his mind?

“Leary?” Leary fluttered around him, doing his best to make July’s wedding perfect. “What if he isn’t there? What if I walk down that aisle to an empty altar?”

Kylo answered before Leary could. “We’ll jump him and beat his ass.”

A laugh burst from July. An immediate image formed in his mind. The three weakest members of this chosen family clung to Fletch’s limbs and couldn’t be shaken.

Kylo smiled. “See? You’re good. He’ll be there. Fletch loves you and I’ve never seen him so happy. Girl, he’ll be out there with bells on.”

He was right. July was being silly. “Do I look okay? Do you think I should’ve toned it down? Am I doing too much?”

“You stay doing too much and I love it, but no.” Kylo took his hands. “Look how beautiful you are.”

Leary nodded right along with everything Kylo said. “You look like a princess.”

That was exactly the look July had been looking for. He couldn’t wear white because he wasn’t pure or whatever that bullshit was. Plus, white washed out his features. He had looked at several bright pink outfits before moving on to light pink. Light pink felt too much like a baby shower. He ended up going with silver. The gown sparkled and made July feel beautiful. He had a slight sheen of glitter coating his skin. His makeup was perfect.

“Oh no. It looks like you’re missing something.”

Panic raced through July at Leary’s claim. “No. What? Holy shit. I really need this day to be perfect. I’m all I have to offer Fletch, and that’s hardly enough, but I can be pretty.”

Leary pulled a stuffed hippo from behind his back. “I told you I’d give him back when you married Fletch. You doubted me.”

July smiled from ear to ear. He had forgotten all about Tomus. Not on purpose, but life had taken one hell of a turn. “Oh, my goodness. It’s Tomus.”

Before July could take the toy, Leary pulled back a hair. “This has to be temporary if it’s something borrowed. I didn’t really think about that.”

July took the animal and squeezed it. “That’s okay. He’s probably gotten attached to you now. He can go home with you.”

Kylo made psshhh sound. “You can share custody. I have the perfect thing.” Kylo dug around inside the bag he had with him. He came out with a jewelry box. “I brought this thinking it would look perfect with your dress.” He flipped open the box. “It’s something borrowed and blue.”

July gasped as the string of diamonds and blue sapphires caught the light and took July’s breath. “This is the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen.” July didn’t doubt for a second that every stone was real. “There’s no way this didn’t cost a small fortune. I can’t risk losing it.” But he wanted to wear the piece with something akin to desperation.

Kylo pulled the necklace out of the box. “It was only a hundred grand. Daddy has spent way more on jewelry than that. Plus, I mean, if you lose it, we’re on property. Someone will find it eventually. I wouldn’t put it past Daddy to be the one searching. He loves me.” Kylo laughed.

July couldn’t stop smiling. The existence of Kylo did so much good for July’s anxiety. He was Beau’s kryptonite. Knowing Beau had a weakness made him more human to July.

He let Kylo put the necklace on him. July turned and eyed the piece in the mirror. The sparkling stones were perfect, just as Kylo claimed.