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Miles

HIS FIRST year in college had both kicked his ass and made him grow in unexpected ways. He’d learned a lot. Mostly about himself, but also about other people. Trust didn’t come easily to him. Not surprising considering… no, he wouldn’t think about that. Not now.

He was on his way home for spring break, sitting next to his dad in the car.

He wouldn’t bring the mood down, not when his dad was so happy to see him.

Both his fathers had hated it when he’d gone off to college in the summer.

They wanted him to have the experience and the education, but they were also like two mother hens, unable to let their chicks out of their sight without worrying themselves into an early grave.

At this point, he wasn’t even sure who was the worst. Dad fussed over him like no other, while Pop watched him like a hawk.

He wouldn’t be surprised if there were trackers in his clothes and phone.

Pop would never admit to it. Certainly not to Dad because the man would not only laugh his ass off but hold it against him every time they argued. Not that it happened often.

They never argued in front of him and his sister. He knew why. Knew they tried to never raise their voices at them. They’d done everything to make them feel safe, even though he’d known very well by the time they met that no one was ever truly safe.

His mother had been a witness in some big case, and when she and his dad had been murdered to keep her from testifying, he and his sister had become witnesses, too.

The cops had been utterly useless, but fortunately, a friend of their family had a contact that got them out before their parents’ murderer could return for them.

Well, at least for a while. Despite the Salvation Kings sending them halfway across the country, that bastard still found them.

The people keeping them safe had killed him before he could get to them, but it had still shattered whatever veil of safety they’d been under. Emma had cried so much after that. His own tears had dried up at that point, so he’d resorted to screaming until he had no voice left to scream with.

They’d been sent back to the one man they’d felt safe with since their world was turned upside down, and when Zayne and his boyfriend asked them if they wanted to stay with them forever, the answer had been a resounding, ‘ Yes .’

Zayne and Nash had loved them from the moment they met, and Emma had loved them just as fast. He’d taken a little longer himself, choosing to stay because they made Emma smile and feel safe.

Dad and Pop had been there for him through every single nightmare and screaming match. They’d loved him despite how hard he’d tried to push them away. He’d always be eternally grateful for their resilience.

He was much less grateful for their meddling and decision-making, especially at this moment.

He shot his dad a disbelieving look and said, “You can’t be serious.”

Dad’s lips twitched, and he groaned before the man even spoke.

“It’s one party and then you can go back to being a sullen teenager at home.”

“ One party ,” he drawled.

“Just… give it a chance.”

“By it, I assume you mean Kaz?”

“Obviously. You’re both adults now. Hopefully, you’ll both act like it, especially with Kaz being a full-patch member now.”

He swallowed back a string of curses and made a face at his dad instead.

“You never know what might happen. You could even become friends. I bet you two have more in common than you think,” Dad said, the hope in his voice making Miles nauseous.

He’d never heard something so preposterous.

“I should’ve stayed at college,” he muttered.

Dad laughed under his breath.

“You’re the one who insisted on still coming home despite knowing we wouldn’t be there,” Dad said.

Miles huffed.

His dads were taking a well-earned vacation alone but would be back before he had to return to college.

He’d known, of course, but he’d wanted some quiet time and the opportunity to see his friends, so he hadn’t minded.

He was regretting that decision now. Though one party shouldn’t change his mind so easily, it was a party at the Disciples’ clubhouse which meant Kaz, the fucking menace, would be there.

The Disciples’ president’s son had always had it out for him, and he’d never found out why.

Well, they’d barely spoken long enough for him to demand an answer.

Not before he slammed his fist into the asshole’s face.

He’d done that more than once. They had been out of sight most of those times, but Kaz had said something extra foul to him three years ago in the middle of the clubhouse, and he’d broken the bastard’s nose right then and there.

Kaz had only laughed as if it were some sick game he enjoyed playing.

The asshole had no right to be as gorgeous as he was. It was why he’d been staring at him three years ago. That was when he’d realized Kaz was hot. The kind of hot that could make anyone drop to their knees for him.

Of course, Kaz had caught him staring, and well… he didn’t remember the words they’d shared, though he did remember the blood running down Kaz’s face. He certainly remembered the scolding Dad had given him after.

No, Kaz was a different kind of unhinged, and he preferred staying the hell away from him and his club. Too bad he couldn’t say no to his dad. He’d just have to endure one night of Kaz’s taunting and prodding, and then he’d have nine whole days to himself.

Friends. The word felt like acid. There was no way he could ever be friends with Kaz. He didn’t even want to be in the same room as that asshole.

Hitting a full-patch member would not end well for him but he had more control of himself these days and he sure as fuck wasn’t going to give Kaz the satisfaction of riling him up enough to hit him again.

No, he could do it. He could keep himself in check around Kaz.