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Magnus rubbed Oliver’s sleeping back as his brothers whooped like a bunch of high schoolers and cheered Tiikaan kissing Merritt.

He should be joining them.

Should be leading them in the obnoxious revelry.

But he didn’t want to wake Oliver if he could help it.

And didn’t that just sock one in the gut. A month ago he was carefree, just started dating Annie, Oliver’s mom, something he normally avoided.

Kids didn’t really fit in with his living on the edge lifestyle.

But something about Oliver had tugged at his heart.

Probably had to do with the way Oliver always seemed shocked that Magnus would give him any attention at all.

Now his life had imploded.

Magnus really should’ve seen the clues that Annie was a manipulative liar and run the other way.

Then he wouldn’t be stuck with a guardianship of a kid he hardly knew and a thrilling career he loved, which he now couldn’t risk keeping.

Not if it meant leaving Oliver abandoned again.