Page 85 of Don't Puck Up

My gaze bounced between them, both worried, both ready to support me with whatever I decided. I looked across at Mironov joking with Hux, Gauthier, and Rune, and finally at Keeley, who entered the room last. They’d each shown up to demonstrate their support. Kind gestures, encouraging words, and most importantly, unconditional love.

The memories from my weekend that I couldn’t forget played on a loop, each blow—both verbal and physical—reverberating through my body. My so-called family hadn’t shown me a single act of kindness, encouragement, or love. They’d responded with vile hatred and violence.

I clicked on Mom’s contact and pressed Block. “No, I’m not. I have everyone I need right here.”

Locke wrapped a protective arm around our shoulders and held us close. I exhaled slowly, then pressed a kiss to Kam’s hair. Like fog blowing away on the wind, the hatred my family had spewed at me dissipated. The shackles they’d bound me in dropped to the ground. I’d closed the chapter on them, but coming out, being true to myself, and living my authentic life had opened another one that I couldn’t wait to see unfold.

twenty-six

Locke

“Can we stay at your house?”Kam’s question played on repeat in my head. She’d asked it quietly, and the uncertainty in her voice had gutted me. There was no uncertainty as far as I was concerned. I wanted them near me. The thought of having them in my space was fucking incredible. It was a dream come true. I’d laughed, happiness welling up inside me like a rising tide, and wrapped Kam in my arms so tight, she complained she couldn’t breathe. I hadn’t been able to wipe the smile off my face since.

I still had to pinch myself that this was my reality. I’d expected them to be angry because of my deception; they would have been justified too. But they hadn’t been. I think everything that had happened the day before brought what was important to them into sharp relief. Apparently, I was a lucky enough bastard to be called one of those important people.

My belly flip-flopped, unbridled joy taking flight like a kaleidoscope of butterflies. Not only did I get to see them without a mask on, but I’d claimed them as mine. There were no more secrets between us. The whole world knew about us now too. My chest-banging display may have come off a little possessive of my guy and girl, but who wouldn’t be when they were dating a couple like my boy and sweet thing? They were far too gorgeous for me not to stake a claim on them. Plus, those reporters were clueless. The press conference wasn’t the time for subtlety. I didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings, so I spelled it out for them.

I bit my lip, stifling my grin as I looked across at Kam. She was sitting comfortably in the driver’s seat, following the directions on the nav. She made the last turn into my street, and I pointed out my house. It wasn’t over-the-top, but it was close to the water, a calm oasis, and private—exactly what we needed for Chris to make a quick recovery.

I opened the garage, and Kam glided her car inside next to mine. I paused for a second, letting the moment sink in. They were really here. With me. Not as friends, either, but as my boyfriend and girlfriend. This was big. Absolutely huge.

“Locke, are you okay there?” Chris asked.

I laughed. “My mind is actually blown. I still can’t believe we’re really here.”

“At your house?” Kam asked, confusion lacing her tone.

“Well, yeah. This time last week, I was trying to figure out how to take off the mask. A few days ago, I’d given up hope. Now look at us.”

“Invite us inside, Locke,” Chris instructed, his voice filled with emotion.

I shook my head. “You don’t need an invitation to come here. You’re always welcome.” I didn’t think I’d ever get to share even another small moment with them, never mind something as big as this. There was no way I was leaving them under the impression that they needed to ask to come here.

I took the suitcases out of the trunk and wheeled them along, leading Chris and Kam inside. I tried to see my place from their eyes. It was all cool whites and grey tones, much more modern beach than homey warmth like their house was. But the colors were calming, and I had lots of potted plants around, giving some life to the place.

“Come on through,” I invited, giving them the tour as we went. The bedrooms were at the back of the house, the spare room directly opposite mine. I hesitated and gestured through the open door.

“This is the spare room.”

“Oh, okay,” Kam murmured.

“Locke,” Chris said and waited until I raised my gaze to his. He stepped closer until we were toe to toe and I couldn’t look away. He was mesmerizing. “Do you want us to stay in there? Away from you?”

I swallowed and shook my head.

“Then show us where you sleep.”

I pointed across the corridor and breathed, “That’s our room.”

Kam walked inside, not waiting for us. Chris interlaced his fingers with mine, then walked backward, tugging me into the room. He licked his lips, and Kam ran her fingertips down Chris’s tie, her touch tantalizing. My cock bucked in my suit pants, desire swirling low in my belly.Fuck me,they were sexy. Kam turned her sultry gaze on me, and I groaned, my self-control in tatters.

“I need to lie down,” Chris said, and his husky voice wrapped around me like a caress.

He tugged off his tie and dropped it to the floor, then shrugged out of his jacket. I watched in awe as he pulled the tails of his shirt free and slowly undid each button, revealing a sliver of tattooed skin with each one. Kam wasn’t idle either. She inched up the frilly blouse she was wearing, leaving her in a silky white cami and flowy caramel-colored pants. A spaghetti strap fell from her shoulder, and it took everything in me to hold still and not lick my way from her shoulder to her lips and back down, dragging all her clothes down with me.

“Fuck,” I breathed and reached down to adjust the erection tenting my pants.

A sly smile tilted Chris’s lips up and when he let the shirt fall to the floor, joining the rest of his clothes.