Page 32 of Running Winter

I Knew you were gay for me all this time, bro.

My cousin was a dick, but I loved him.

GOD OF LOVE

C H A S E

"What do you mean, how do I know?" boomed a familiar voice from the lounge.

I allowed the door to close behind me, stifling a yawn. I'd stayed up too late watching funny videos on YouTube and was now paying the price. “Need I remind you, I am the God of Love."

I heard a snort of laughter which I recognized as my father’s, and I poked my head around the doorframe.

Pops clocked me immediately, his green eyes widening with amusement.

Oh no.

"God of Love?" I asked, grinning as I slumped down beside my grandma. She rubbed my knee affectionately before gazing at me lovingly.

"Hey, baby boy. Your Pops is on one again—God of Love this time," Nanna drawled, peering at my eyes curiously. "You look tired. Are you tired?"

Pops swooped in, leaning back in his chair with a wink.

"Course he is. Man about town, so I hear. The question is, which lucky lady took your load last night?"

"Cal!" Nanna groaned.

Despite the years spent as her husband, Pop’s still somehow managed to get in her bad books reasonably quickly. He had zero filter, like my cousin.

"Ah, Gretch, come on. You remember what we were doing at his age?"

"Ignore him. Your nanna was an angel, Chase, don't let him tell you any different.” Nanna winked, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"A what? Angel? Maybe on the streets but in the sheets—" Pops started, and Dad groaned loudly.

Mom giggled before pointing at my Dad.

"You were just as bad," she scolded, and I grimaced.

I did not want to hear this shit again.

"Where's my other grandson?" Pops demanded, stretching out his legs with impatience.

"Rafe had football this morning,” Nanna reminded him before examining me. "So your Dad said you were on a date last night?"

"Hola!" called a voice as Pops jumped up with a wide smile.

Raven had arrived, which meant so had Rafe.

This Sunday, it was meant to be just us kids here, but Mom and Dad had been here when I arrived, no doubt spilling all my secrets.

I took the opportunity to give Dad a meaningful look, but he shrugged innocently.

"Uncle C, Jade," greeted Rafe from the doorway as he examined my dad's arm.

I hadn't even noticed Dad had new ink—but Rafe didn’t miss things like that.

"That's sick." Rafe whistled.

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