Page 17

Jake

I wasn’t expecting that to happen tonight. I thought we’d carry on ignoring whatever was going on between us until things had settled down with the whole Micah situation and until Flash had dealt with his father. I’m not mad that this has happened now, though. Having Flash this way is a dream come true. I’d have waited however long I needed to for us to get to this point, but I’m definitely happy we’re here now.

I know we’re only just changing things between us, but we’ve been building a foundation these past few months, and I know how strong my feelings for him are. It won’t be long until I’m fully in love with the man. I’ve been heading that way all along. It’s hard not to start falling in love with someone like him. How he hasn’t already been snapped up already, I don’t know, but I’m not going to complain. Everyone’s loss is my gain.

I know this attraction between us isn’t just some random one-night thing for Flash. He’s not someone who is going to risk a friendship that way, especially when he’s living in my house with his newly found brother. He’d never take a risk with Micah’s security that way.

It doesn’t take either of us long to clean up from our hot and heavy session against my door. As Flash leaves my bathroom, wearing only his boxers, I see him eyeing between the bed and door. Clearly a little unsure of what he should do now. I can’t be having that; we’ve taken our first steps forward in our relationship, and I don’t plan on letting him stay anywhere else but beside me, where he belongs. Especially not after what we just shared. I’ll ask him to move into my room with me soon, but I don’t want to scare him off by asking now. There’s no way he won’t feel like it’s too soon for that.

“Get your sexy ass in this bed where you belong.” I tell him as I pull the covers back so he can climb in next to me.

“I’m not going to say no to spending the night either in your arms or you in mine.” He replies as he climbs in next to me.

“If I have it my way, you’ll be next to me every night from now on.”

“I’d like that more than you know.” He says as he settles his head down on my shoulder.

I love having him like this on me, feeling him next to me. Knowing he’s going to be here when I wake up in the morning. I’ve never had this before; I’ve never wanted it before him. I’ve always felt that I should only plan on sleeping next to the person I planned on spending my life with, and I never felt that way with any of the one-night stands or even the friends with benefits I’ve had in the past. There’s only one person I’ve ever felt this way with, and it just so happens to be the amazing man sharing my bed with me.

There is still the elephant in the room regarding everything we’ve learned today, and I have a feeling it’s going to be best to address it now before we try to get any sleep. I think if we just leave it unspoken, it will just play on his mind all night, and he’ll probably get a little to no rest. That’s the last thing he needs. Tomorrow is going to be a hell of a day because there is no way he’s going to just let this all rest. No, he’s going to want to deal with it all as soon as possible, and he needs to be firing on all cylinders when he does.

“So now we know where we stand with each other, shall we address the elephant in the room, or more specifically, your mind? I know you, Flash; there’s no way what Micah’s mother and your father have done isn’t playing on a loop in your head.”

“You’re not wrong. I can’t wrap my head around either of them treating that boy the way they have. He’s only my brother, and I can’t imagine ever treating him that way. I’ve never understood parents who don’t treat their kids like the treasures they are.”

“Some people are just assholes. We both know that we’ve seen situations like this enough times in the past.”

“Unfortunately, you’re right there. I just never imagined I’d be dealing with a situation like this where my own family was the one in the wrong. The man I grew up with isn’t the one who’s Micah’s father. He’d never have let anyone treat us boys the way Micah has been treated. He’d never have shown such disinterest either. It’s just a massive mind-fuck.”

“I can only imagine. Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you.”

“Thank you. That means the world to me. I think I need to deal with Micah’s mother first and then confront my fuckface of a father.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. I already have my brothers working on getting all the legal shit sorted so Micah’s bitch of a mother can’t try and take him away from you.”

“Thank you so much, J. That’s one less thing to worry about.”

“You don’t need to thank me for that. You had enough on your mind; I didn’t mind handling this one thing for you. You know, with those three working on it, you’ll probably have all the legal paperwork sorted by the time you wake in the morning.”

“You’re not wrong. I’ve seen your brother’s work when it’s just some stranger. I can’t imagine the lengths they’ll go when it’s someone they know and consider a friend.”

“They’re nothing if not determined, those three.”

“I just want to get all this shit dealt with and then help Micah heal. I also want to start our life together without drama from my fucked-up family getting in the way.”

“I don’t care what gets thrown at us; we’ll deal with it together. We’re a team now, and you best fucking remember it.”

Flash lets out a small chuckle but nods his head against me so I know he’s taken what I’ve said seriously. I wasn’t joking; I don’t care what life throws at us; at the end of the day, I’ll deal with anything for him, and I’ll always stand by and support him. I know he’d do exactly the same for me.

It’s not long before I hear his breathing deepen and his body slacken next to me, letting me know he’s asleep. I’m glad; he needs his rest now more than ever. Tomorrow is going to be an emotionally charged day for him, probably on the same level as when things went down with Wyatt. The difference this time is he’s not only going to have Piston to lean on, but me too. I’d do anything for him. Endure any situation.