Page 34 of Happily Ever After… Again and Again

The trip home feels shorter, and the garage door is still open and waiting. Nix brings the bike to a stop, letting the bike idle. He’s reluctant to give up the thrill so soon, knowing his next opportunity might be some time away. He adds speaking to Jamie about getting his own bike someday to his list of personal vows he’s made tonight.

Right after blowing Luca’s mind and taking Doodle out more often. And maybe eating that cold meatball sub before someone gets home.

He pulls the bike in and hangs up the jackets, placing the helmets in the same configuration as they’d been before their big adventure. Hopefully, Jamie won’t notice the lingering scent of incense or the new claw marks near the zipper.

Luca beats him through the door, muttering something about never again and maybe kissing solid ground.

Before heading inside, he watches the garage door go down, yearning for that freedom as it disappears.

“Hey, you coming or what? We’ve gotta eat this evidence before they get back.”

Focusing on Luca’s smile and the scent of marinara, Nix files the night’s adventure under DO IT AGAIN SOON.

After they dispose of the empty Giorgio’s bags under the stinkiest trash in the bin, and burn that photo of Tommy’s to ash, they start upFast and Furious. It’s not the same, but the sounds of engines revving and the squealing of tires mean Nix can easily call to mind the freedom of the road.

Luca makes him laugh as he acts out the more dangerous (fun) events of their rescue, this time with exaggerated hysterics about Tommy’s portrayal of a cat-worshipping High Priest who wets his pants.

Oh, how Nix loves him. How blessed he is to have this life.

It’s enough for now to know that this life contains all kinds of adventure, even if not all of it is out there at top speed.

Jamie and Leo arrive home first, loud and happy from their time together. Date nights within their polycule are some of Nix’s new favorite things.

“You have a good night, baby boy?” Jamie whispers as he slips in besidehim, smelling of metal, wood shavings, and IPA. Maybe even a little like a satisfied, cinnamon-scented Leo, too.

“We really, really did.”

Pressing his nose in behind Nix’s ear, he asks, “Did you and Luca get up to anything exciting?”

He’s saved from lying when Rowan and Grayson arrive, giggling like it’s the middle of the night, not ten PM.

“They sound like they had a good time.” Luca rolls his eyes.

“We did!” Grayson slurs. “But Rowan can’t hold his liquor.”

“Liquor? Don’t even know her!” Rowan laughs from the kitchen. “Hey, the water dispenser’s empty! Whose turn is it?”

“Yours!” Everyone answers at exactly the same time.

“Shit.” Big shoulders dropping, he heads toward the garage.

Shit.

Nix hadn’t expected anyone to be in the garage for at least twelve hours. The scent of exhaust and the hot engine had to be noticeable.

Tense beside him, Luca grabs his hand, because this is where everything could go for shit.

But Rowan isn’t the most observant. Nix thanks the tequila gods when he arrives carrying a large jug of water for the dispenser, managing to spill some on the floor before Jamie finally gets it lined up.

“Fuck, that was close,” Luca whispers. “Good thing he’s even less observant when he’s tanked.”

“No kidding.”

“Hey, did Doodle get a new collar? And why is she sitting on the Ducati? It’s like she wants to go for a ride.”

Perhaps they spoke too soon.

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