Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 199(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 199(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
Christopher hesitated, then nodded his head. He pulled in a deep breath. I was satisfied to see some of the tension leave his body.
“I can make them go,” I said softly, though not soft enough so that King wouldn’t hear me. I didn’t give a shit what the man thought was happening, I wouldn’t allow him to put any more strain on Christopher.
Christopher looked at King, then Gio, who was standing only a foot or two from his fiancé. He looked completely shell-shocked.
Something happened in that moment when the two young men’s gazes met, because a mere heartbeat later, Christopher let out a harsh sob and walked straight to Gio, who instantly enveloped his best friend in his arms. Tears streaked down Gio’s face as Christopher let out a choked “Sorry” before he was consumed by sobs again.
I took the opportunity to grab my shirt and pull it back on. King had calmed down considerably. When he shot me a glance filled with confusion and pain, I let go of my anger and simply stayed off to the side.
After a minute or two, Christopher pulled free of Gio. They smiled shakily at each other before Christopher turned his attention to King.
“Rush lied to you for me,” he began. I knew what was coming and wished there was something, anything I could do to make it hurt a little less for everyone in the room.
“He didn’t want to leave town because he wanted to be here when I… when I, um…” Christopher paused and glanced over his shoulder at me. I sent him a soft smile and told him with my eyes what I couldn’t with my mouth. As much as I loved him, I couldn’t do this for him. And he still had the opportunity to change his mind. I would happily support any lie he might tell his uncle and best friend because it was about what Christopher needed and no one else.
Christopher took a deep breath. “He wanted to be here when I got some test results back.”
I could see the confusion swirling in both men’s eyes as they looked between them and Christopher and then even to me. It was heart-wrenching to see the moment when both realized what was happening.
“Christopher?” Gio whispered.
Christopher dropped his eyes briefly, but when he lifted them again, I was so fucking proud of him. His eyes latched onto King’s.
“I’m sick, Uncle King.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHRISTOPHER
The moment my uncle put his arms around me without saying a word, I knew everything would be okay. Sure, I’d get barraged with questions by him and other family members as I told them, but this—this moment of quiet as someone shared their strength would ultimately be what saw me through.
I couldn’t say how long King held me for, but when he reluctantly released me and put some space between us, I asked, “I know you both have a lot of questions, but can you ask Uncle Micah and Con to come over first?”
“I’ll take care of it,” King said without hesitation. I turned and went to Rush, who wrapped his arms around me.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Christopher,” he murmured.
I wanted to tell him I loved him, but I didn’t want the first time he heard the words to be under such chaotic circumstances. I’d been on the verge of admitting it to him while he’d had me pressed down on the table I’d never see the same way again, but we’d been interrupted.
“I need to talk to Gio,” I said. “Can you two not kill each other while we’re gone?” I asked as I looked between Rush and King, speaking loudly enough so my uncle could hear me.
“I can’t kill him if I can’t see him, and since my retinas burned up at the sight of my nephew being mauled on a table…”
I rolled my eyes and pressed a quick kiss to Rush’s mouth before heading for Gio. As I passed my uncle, I said, “Maybe now you’ll knock on doors like a normal person instead of picking the lock.”
King did the Boy Scout salute but winked at me in the same beat, so I knew the man had no intention of changing his notorious ways. I shook my head at him. But damn if it didn’t feel good to just settle back into old roles. I could only hope Micah and Con would be as forgiving.
Once I reached Gio, I wrapped my hand around his. He followed me without hesitation up to my bedroom. Once we were upstairs, I released his hand, but as soon as we looked at each other, we were hugging again.
“I’m so sorry—”
“Christopher—”
We both laughed, and then I led Gio to the bed. We sat on the edge of the mattress but turned so we were basically facing each other. I wasn’t surprised when Pip reached a tiny paw out from under the bed and took a swipe at my pant leg. I reached down and wiggled my fingers so he’d come out, then picked him up and deposited him on Gio’s lap. Thumper appeared from under the bed almost immediately, so I picked her up and held her in my lap.