Page 8

With his heart in his throat, Adan twisted his fingers as he waited for his knock to be answered. As he shifted from foot to foot, Axton squeezed his shoulders. Axton knew him. That was more comforting than the squeeze. Adan didn’t have to explain himself. They were a team. The door swung wide, and Shane smiled at the sight of them.

“Hey, guys. You haven’t been around in a while.”

Adan twisted his fingers again.

Axton sounded happy behind him. “Us? Every time we stop by, you guys are traveling.”

Shane brightened even more. “That’s true. Come in.”

Adan stayed quiet, but followed Shane. He had only been inside Banks’ place once. Adan had a feeling he had only been accepted that day because he had been with Soren and they had wanted Soren to have some time alone with Shane. As they stepped inside, Adan spotted Soren. He gave a tiny wave, unsure of his welcome. They hadn’t seen each other in months. As Axton had said, Banks’ bunch were always traveling.

Soren popped from the couch. “Adan!” He skipped across the room and hugged him, warming Adan’s chest. Soren held him away and eyed his outfit. “You look so cute. You’re like a biker kitty.”

Adan flashed Axton a smile. They shared a moment. Axton kept buying him things that met him halfway. It was Little-esque in his leather kitty suit, but he also matched Axton’s style. Adan had to admit they looked good together, and Adan felt adorable.

“You look like you belong on the back of Axton’s bike,” Kyson said, drawing Adan’s attention toward the couch where Kyson sat with Banks.

“That’s because that is where he belongs.”

Banks looked thoughtful as he looked between them at Axton’s comment.

Thankfully, Axton didn’t force Adan to start the conversation. “So we kind of need to talk to you guys about something.” Axton looked Soren’s way. “I think Adan wants to ask you something first.”

Adan worked up a grateful smile, even though he was nervous as hell. Soren looked curious, and Adan forced his throat to work. “Other than Axton, you’re the only person I have. I know you’ve only been nice to me out of pity, and I’m probably not someone you consider a friend.”

“That’s not true, Adan.” Soren sounded genuinely hurt by the claim.

Adan made a dismissive motion. “It’s okay. I understand. It’s my fault.”

“It’s not,” Banks said, cutting off Adan’s speech again. There was no mistaking the outrage in Banks’ voice. It was beyond obvious Beau was the only person Banks blamed. Still, Adan knew better. He didn’t deserve Banks’ support.

Unfortunately, their interruptions were undermining Adan’s confidence. He didn’t know if he could finish his question.

Adan’s gaze shot Axton’s way. He was ready to cry. Adan shifted from foot to foot. He didn’t want to ask for help, but he wasn’t sure he had made the right decision. “Maybe I shouldn’t.”

Soren, being the kind soul he always was, took Adan’s hands, pulling Adan’s gaze back to him. His eyes were kind. “It’s okay, Adan. I know I’ve been traveling a lot and I haven’t kept in touch like I should. That’s my fault. I got caught up in being a newlywed, but you are my friend and I’m sorry I made you feel otherwise. It won’t happen again.”

Adan took a shaky breath. He had been right to come here. They were friends. “Will you walk down the aisle with me?”

Soren blinked. “What?”

Adan rushed to explain. “I don’t have anyone else, and I’d love to have you by my side when I marry Axton.”

A rumble of surprised congratulations went around the room. Adan somewhat overheard Axton asking Banks to stand up with him, but he was too busy staring at Soren with all the hope in his heart. He didn’t want to be alone for this.

Soren wore a huge grin. “I would love to. Just let me know when. I'm definitely there.”

Adan took a deep breath. “Well, is today okay, then? We’re kind of on our way there now.”

Soren looked taken aback, but he didn’t stop smiling. “Of course. Um.” He looked around. “I don’t know what to wear or anything. I have a suit I wore to my sister-in-law’s wedding. Maybe that’ll work?”

“Grab your favorite pjs.”

Soren looked Axton’s way and then back at Adan. “Yeah. Okay. Just give me a minute.” He glanced toward Shane. “Oh. Is Shane invited?”

Adan jumped. “Oh. Ha. Sorry. Yes. Everyone is invited. I’m sorry. I forgot to say that.” To his shock, everyone was all smiles and looked excited to join him. Adan knew it was so much more than he deserved and more than likely Axton they actually supported. But it meant a lot to him that they wouldn’t be alone on their wedding day. Of course, Jarek and Luca would be there, but they were only there for Axton. Adan literally had no one.

Soren grabbed his hand and dragged him into a different room. Adan glanced around. It was obviously Soren and Shane’s bedroom. “Tell me everything.” He dug around for pajamas while Adan grappled for words.

“Besides you guys, it’s only Jarek and Luca. Well, plus Wrecker and his husband, Johnny. Johnny is ordained, so he’s going to marry us.” A bright smile lit Adan’s face. “We’re marrying on the roof of the Back Porch. That’s where Axton and I fell in love.”

Soren cooed. “That’s so sweet, but I guess I meant for you to tell me about Axton and you. I didn’t even know you two talked, much less were together.”

Adan’s cheeks heated. “Yeah. Like you said, you’ve been traveling a lot. I don’t know if you knew this, but he’s the one who brought me here the night Beau kicked me out. Afterward, he kind of kept coming around. Then when I moved to the apartment, he kept coming even more often. We spent a lot of time talking.” Adan’s hands rose and fell. “We were completely open with each other and neither of us judged. I don’t know. We just clicked—like we had always been meant to be together.” Adan pressed his hands against his hot cheeks. “I’ve never been this happy, Soren. He knows me better than anyone ever has, and he loves me anyhow.” Adan’s throat swelled and his eyes filled with tears. “He’s so much more than I’ll ever deserve.”

Soren crossed the room and hugged him. “Stop. You deserve this. I really wish you would talk to someone sometime—like a professional—so they can make you understand who was really to blame in your life.”

Adan didn’t want to have this conversation. Not on his wedding day, but he wanted Soren to see him as he was. He placed his hands on Soren’s shoulders and held him away enough to hold his stare. “Please don’t completely paint me as the victim. There were a lot of years when I loved Beau. There were a lot of years I prayed he would get divorced and choose me.”

A sweet smile touched Soren’s lips. “Of course you did. You’re human and he was all you had. But one day, you’ll look back and realize that’s exactly what Beau wanted by isolating you. If you didn’t have anyone else and everyone hated you, then you’d be completely dependent and beholden to him. You’d have nowhere to go and no one to turn to for help. You’d see him as your everything because he literally was everything. Beau was an adult, playing adult games with someone who wasn’t mature enough to understand and then he kept you from growing past that emotionally immature state. One day, you’ll see all that and it’ll piss you off.”

A surprised bark of laughter burst from Adan. “Maybe, but—right now—I don’t care about any of that. I’m happy for real for once.”

Soren smiled. “Good. Then let’s get you married.”

Adan hugged him and bounced a little. “I’m so fucking excited.”

Soren laughed and hugged him back. “Axton is a great guy. You’ll have a fantastic life.”

Adan believed it. Axton was amazing and gorgeous and perfect. Adan couldn’t wait to be his husband. The past was exactly that—the past. He wouldn’t let Beau or the memory of him ruin this amazing day. Adan was about to marry his best friend. Literally nothing else mattered.

Not once in Axton’s life had he considered or saw himself getting married. Just two years ago, he had fully believed he would die in prison. By old age or violently, he never thought he would leave that place, much less have any dreams for himself. If he had possessed enough hope to fantasize, he couldn’t have imagined someone like Adan. Adan was so unique, there was no chance Axton could make him up in his head. He was too perfect for Axton. They matched in all the best ways.

Axton stood across from his best friend and said his vows with his whole chest. He loved this man. When it was over, a weight slipped from Axton’s shoulders. They shared a smile that matched the overwhelming happiness in Axton’s heart before their lips met. He barely heard the clapping as he held Adan as tightly as possible. Bubbles were blown in their faces as they headed for the ladder. Inside the coffee shop, Wrecker had closed for the day and one of his friends had set up a nice reception and baked them a gorgeous wedding cake. Everything felt surreal—like he watched someone else’s life unfold. People spoke to him. Axton barely heard a word and forgot what was said the moment they moved away. Life didn’t snap back into focus until he saw Jarek pull Adan aside. His brother’s too serious expression immediately lit a familiar rage. He wouldn’t have the one good thing he had destroyed.

Axton inserted himself into the discussion. He draped his arm over Adan’s shoulders and focused on Jarek with a bright smile. “What’s up? Am I interrupting something?”

Jarek looked a tad guilty. “I hate to do this at your wedding, but it’s unavoidable.” He pulled an envelope from his inside pocket and held it out to Adan. “This is for you.”

Adan looked as confused as Axton felt. He broke the envelope’s seal. There was a letter inside. Adan cast him a worried look before pulling out the papers inside and unfolding them. Axton moved to read over his shoulder.

Baby Boy,

I know you think I’m heartless and I never considered you.

The papers shook slightly in Adan’s hand. Axton half expected Adan to toss them aside. He didn’t, so Axton kept reading.

That’s not true. Before you, I never thought a person could love two people equally at the same time. I didn’t want to love you. Being with you was supposed to be about shaking Tabitha from her addictions and forcing my son to stop acting so goddamn spoiled. People are supposed to fear me. I’m not soft. Never could I have dreamed how far my actions would push them. Yet, through it all, you never treated me like the monster I am. Not even now when it’s so fucking obvious to everyone that I’m not good. You still speak to me like I’m human. You didn’t deserve another predator. For that and a million other things, I’m so goddamn sorry.

Axton was blown away by that. He didn’t see Beau as someone who apologized. Then again, Axton was sure Adan had seen a lot of things with Beau no one else ever had.

When I lost Tabitha and my sons, you were the only person I had left to punish. Coming out on the other side of things, I see every misstep I ever made. But when it comes to you, it was real. My love was genuine, as much as a psychopath can love anyone, anyhow. None of it is on you. You were just in the wrong place at the right time. I can’t take our years back and I wouldn’t even if I could. Like my sons, you’re one of the only good pieces of me. So, like my sons, I need to know you’re okay. Attached is a statement of accounts set up in your name. There are several to make them as legal as possible. Jarek will represent those accounts for you. No charge to you, of course. Don’t turn these down, Baby Boy. They are well and legally in your name, which comes with a tax responsibility, so enjoy the life these funds provide. You earned it.

Love always,

Boo

Adan turned the page and swayed on his feet. Luckily, Axton was there to keep him upright.

“Oh my god.”

Jarek remained professional. “Unfortunately, you don’t have the luxury of saying no. The IRS doesn’t give a fuck about anyone’s pride. I’ll make sure they’re kept happy, but this amount of money is obviously life-changing.” His gaze moved to hold Axton’s stare. “Don’t let this change how you feel about each other. Everyone standing here knows this money is deserved.”

Adan sniffed. He handed the papers to Axton. “I don’t even know what to do with any of this right now.”

Axton refolded everything and stuck it in his back pocket. “It doesn’t change anything about today and there’s nothing we can’t figure out together.”

Adan stared at him with all the trust in the world. He always made Axton feel larger than life. “Let’s buy you a new Harley.”

A surprised bark of laughter burst from Axton. Of all the things he expected Adan to say, that wasn’t it. “My Harley isn’t that old.”

Adan nodded. He looked thoughtful. His gaze slid Jarek’s way. “Do you ride? I could buy you one and I could get one of those three-wheel things and decorate it so that it looks like a kitty. Oh, and I could get Luca one too and we could become like a family of bikers. What should we call ourselves?”

By the time Adan finished, Jarek and Axton roared with laughter.

Luca creeped closer, looking unsure of his welcome. “Is the business part over?”

Jarek snagged Luca’s waist and tucked him against his side. He kissed Luca’s temple.

Adan relayed his idea to Luca. “I was telling them I want to buy us all bikes so we can become a family biker gang. Except I’d get us those three-wheeled things that are easier to drive. Mine can look like a cat and yours can look like it’s made of Legos.”

Luca’s eyes widened. “That sounds so cool. I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to do that, but I can definitely picture you as a kitty biker.”

Axton and Jarek exchanged glances. Huge grins exploded across their faces. That was the moment Axton knew his relationship with his brother would be fine and his future brighter than the sun. He had the perfect husband and the life he hadn’t known he needed. There was no way Axton could have pictured this for himself, but damn. He wouldn’t have existence any other way.

Keep an eye out for the next Little Lost, King Daddy .