Page 164 of Pretty Broken Wings

“Oh, now you give me this?” I ask.

There’s a slight smirk on Axel’s face. “I prefer my balls attached to my body, thank you very much.”

“But not Gage’s?”

“You wouldn’t cut Gage.” Axel strides toward the house with an annoying air of confidence.

When I make it inside, Gage is on the couch with Buddy. He half stands, then hesitates like he isn't sure if he should come up to me. I notice he has the new glasses on. Buddy rushes over to me.

I stop, hurt flowing through me. I hate the hesitant look in his eyes.

“Gage, I’m–”

“Read, Raven.” Axel comes over to me with a bag of things. From it, he pulls a book. Not just any book. My book. The one I got with Gage.

Axel’s voice drops an octave. “Read. Out loud. Now.”

I want to argue, but Axel’s tone tells me he’ll enjoy it too much if I argue. Instead, I take the book, move to the couch, and sit down stiffly. I glance at Gage, who’s looking at me with softness in his gaze.

“Sorry,” I say softly, looking at the ground. “I got scared, I…”

Gage moves to sit next to me, and Buddy jumps up on the couch, too.

“Read, Raven,” Axel demands loudly.

I flip the book open and start reading automatically.

“You never have to apologize for being scared, Raven.” Gage’s tone is soft.

I glance at him, and he looks nothing but sincere.

I read, but I’m not really comprehending what’s going on. All I can think about is Gage’s presence beside me, big and looming,and the way he’s being so soft. They bought me a place to open a bookstore. It’s so sweet, and I’m not sure how to express how much it means.

I switch from the story to say softly, “Axel didn’t read me your poem–”

Axel stalks into the room, and he’s carrying that bag. “Why’d you stop?”

I narrow my gaze. “What are you doing?”

“Read, and I’ll answer.”

I glare at him, but when he doesn’t respond, reluctantly, I go back to the book.

“Here’s the game,” Axel says, and when I look up, he pauses. He motions back at the book. When I start reading but not comprehending, Axel keeps talking. “You’re gonna peg Gage while you read that book.”

My gaze snaps up.

Axel winks at me, and Gage mutters, “What?”

Axel pulls something from the bag, and it takes me a second to realize what I’m looking at. It’s a harness with a hole in it. Axel pulls something from the bag. No, not something. A dildo.

And fuck, if excitement doesn’t roll through me mixed with a little fear. I’ve never pegged someone.

“Axel,” Gage grinds.

“Yes, my sugar plum?” Axel bats his eyes at him.

“What are you doing?”