Page 153 of Ready to Cash Out

Trev rested his head against the cool tile with a loud groan.

“Hey.” It was Jupiter. “Whatcha doin’ in there?”

“Nothing fun.” Trev snorted.

Jupiter stepped into the shower behind him, his big hands sliding over Trev’s back. “Talk to me, baby doll.”

“Just in my head,” Trev replied quietly. “Worried about today.”

Jupiter kissed Trev’s shoulder. “It’s going to be all right. We’re going to get through it.”

“Glad one of us is so fucking confident.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had anything to hope for.” Jupiter moved his arms around Trev’s waist, hugging him gently. “Gave up for a while, you know. That I’d ever be able to get away from my family. Thinking about the future… Fuck, wanting a future with someone? I didn’t think that would ever happen.”

Trev’s heart fluttered. “And… now?”

“Now I’ve got that and more.” Jupiter nuzzled Trev’s shoulder. “I’ve never wanted anything so much and I am not going to let a damn thing stand in our way, baby doll. We’re getting the fuck out of here. Together.”

Trev was glad they were in the shower because it was easy to hide how his eyes teared up. He grabbed Jupiter’s forearm and gave it a firm squeeze, breathing in slowly to keep his rising emotions at bay. “Together.”

They stood there for a long time, so long that Trev nearly forgot to actually bathe. His hand shook when he reached for the soap and Jupiter was there to help him, his firm touch reassuring. Trev let Jupiter scrub him down and enjoyed the attention, happy to return the favor when Jupiter was done.

He was mindful of the bandage on Jupiter’s shoulder where he’d been shot, though he did linger in rubbing soap around it.

Trev wasn’t sure why he hadn’t thought about it before, but that injury could have been so much worse. Jupiter could have been killed. Hell, Trev might have been. They’d both escaped death more times in the last week than Trev was comfortable admitting, and he found himself leaning up to press a needy kiss to Jupiter’s lips.

“We’ll be okay, baby doll,” Jupiter murmured. “I fucking promise you.”

Trev wanted to believe that.

They kissed again, and as much as Trev longed for the relief of a passionate release, he couldn’t get his body to cooperate. Jupiter seemed to understand and didn’t push, and after rinsing off, they both got out of the shower.

Trev was quiet as he dried off, fumbling around on the counter for lotion. He rubbed himself down and smiled when Jupiter took over, massaging it over his back and shoulders. He closed his eyes for a moment before he looked in the mirror, watching Jupiter through the reflection.

Jupiter had a little smile on his face. It helped smooth the lines of his otherwise worried expression. He glanced up, catching Trev’s eye in the mirror. His smile grew.

Trev smiled back. He had no idea what to say, but his heart was light, a warmth bubbling up to the surface that made him blush. He couldn’t help but think about what Cold had told him last night. “Jupiter, I?—”

There was a firm knock at the bedroom door.

Of fucking course.

Trev strolled out of the bathroom, calling out loudly, “I’m not putting any fucking clothes on, so sorry in advance, but only if you’re Rowena!” He opened the door.

Cold was on the other side, one hand firmly planted over his eyes and the other holding out a garment bag. He sighed. “Here.”

“What the fuck is this?” Trev demanded.

“Put it on. Then come down for breakfast.” Cold sighed again. “You can shut the door now.”

“Thanks! I’ll think about it!” Trev accepted the garment bag and grinned, not yet shutting the door.

Annoyed, Cold sighed a third time and turned around to stalk away.

Trev snickered as he finally closed the door. He joined Jupiter back in the bathroom, hanging the bag on the back of the door.

“Cold brought that for you?” Jupiter asked.

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