Rain was confused as fuck.
Edge looked incredibly uncomfortable. “I’m pretty sure I apologized.” The grumbled words had a hint of horror creeping through Rain.
“What did you do?”
Everyone ignored Rain’s horrified-sounding question.
Mickey was focused on Edge with laughing eyes, but Rain saw the danger hidden beneath. He recognized why Beau had chosen him for Kylo. Mickey would do terrible things for Kylo, but he still had love in him. Rain wondered if they were about to get a good look at his bad side. “I’m certain you didn’t. Maybe you apologized to Beau, but you didn’t say it to me.”
Edge held his stare. He looked at Mickey in a way Rain had only seen him look at one other person before. “I’m sorry.”
“Not even making excuses, huh?”
Rain couldn’t look away from the exchange.
“No excuses. I’m sorry.”
Mickey nodded. “Fair enough.” He poured more tea into Kylo’s tiny teacup.
Edge never stopped watching his every move.
Rain forgot to ask why in the hell Edge had kidnapped Mickey or when any of this happened. His throat swelled. He genuinely hoped Edge didn’t get hurt. Edge’s sanity wouldn’t survive that kind of blow. Hatred of love was all Edge knew.
“Anyhow, my point was, you make Austen happy,” Kylo said, acting as if Mickey and Edge’s exchange never happened. “That outweighs everything else. And honestly, it’s not like you could truly live alone. It’s like Beau and me. He’s too big of a target. You are too. You might as well live with people you love instead of strangers you’ve hired.” He flashed Mickey a smile. “I couldn’t imagine my life without our boys.”
Despite everything, Rain smiled at Mickey getting called a boy. They were probably close to being the same age. His humor over the situation died as quickly as it hit. Austen wasn’t Kylo, and Rain’s family weren’t Kylo’s guards. His family had done nothing to ingratiate themselves. Austen would likely be done with him in less than three months.
Austen appeared with Shadow at his side. They were laughing loudly as they appeared in the doorway. Henry and Beau wereright behind them. Beau didn’t stand a chance of reaching his husband first. Shadow spotted Kylo and squealed like a child before launching himself in Kylo’s direction. The three of them had been in several performances together. Everyone loved Kylo. Rain watched them hug and talk animatedly. He looked Beau’s way, checking for any signs of jealousy. Beau merely looked like an indulgent father. Henry leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and stood watch. Rain’s gaze slid to Austen when Austen didn’t immediately come to him. He had stopped and spoke with Mickey. They smiled like they were good friends. That was not what caught and held his attention, though. Rain had been so focused on his thoughts and Shadow’s reaction to seeing Kylo. He hadn’t noticed Field being dragged along on Austen’s leg—like a little kid, begging for attention. Austen stood at Edge’s back with his hands resting on Edge’s shoulders. Occasionally, he squeezed. Each time he did, Edge smiled even as he never looked away from Mickey. Austen was older than everyone in their family. He was like the loving father they’d never had.
Austen sighed loudly, snapping Rain from his trance of studying every detail. “For fuck’s sake. It’s in our bedroom. Go get what you want, and I’ll pick some more up later.”
Field popped from the floor. “Yes! You’re the best.” He kissed Austen’s cheek and was out of the room like a shot. Austen pinched the spot between his eyes, but his smile spoke volumes. He was happy here. Kylo was right. Austen’s life had been lonely. Rain had everything to offer him.
Austen dropped his hand and focused on Rain. “We’ll have to go on a road trip later to grab some more of that organic peanut butter from that little local business two towns over.”
“Get two jars,” Field said around a spoon as he strolled into the kitchen. He had Austen’s peanut butter jar clutched to his chest like it was gold.
Henry snorted.
Field shot him a flirtatious smile. “What? Are you jealous of my spoon?”
Austen shook his head. His gaze never wavered from Rain. “I might have to buy that goddamn organic store with the way Field eats.”
“Can we, Daddy?”
Rain bit his bottom lip at Field’s question. Austen looked like a man in love with his life.
Kylo linked fingers with Rain beneath the table and squeezed. His eyes stung as it hit him how beautiful his life was now. He one hundred percent didn’t deserve it. Rain would take it nonetheless.
Austen stocked the cabinets in the small kitchen inside their bedroom. They had bought more things during their shopping trip than Austen intended. Luckily, more than half of it had been for the boys. Their personal kitchen cabinets weren’t that big. It was still oddly nice, though. Austen felt like they had their own tiny apartment where Rain couldn’t hide. He had to stay under Austen’s feet. Austen loved having Rain beneath him.
“If you keep spoiling Field, he might chain himself to your leg. He’s clingy like that.”
Austen laughed at the image Rain painted. “Meh. I get the feeling no one has ever spoiled these boys. A little won’t hurt.”
Rain’s arms encircled him. He pressed his lips against the spot between Austen’s shoulder blades. Austen froze and savored the moment.
“It’s so sexy when you act all daddy-like.”
