Page 82 of Loving You

“Montez…”

“The one thing my mother taught me was to put together a panic fund. Her version of it was draining myfather’s accounts and going on a trip. My version of it has been taking out twenty dollars here and there—every time I want something I don’t need. This is a fraction of what I have put away, but it’s enough to get you a week in a hotel that won’t have bed bugs and to feed yourself all the comfort food I know you’re going to want once the shock wears off.”

Her fingers trembled as she reached for it. She touched the money clip, but she didn’t take it. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to pay it back. I have some savings, but it’s just enough to get me a little apartment somewhere.”

“As long as you don’t go back to him, it’s a gift. Consider this a last fuck-you to Rodrigo because I know damn well he’s going to do everything in his power to win you back.”

“Unless he can invent a time machine to go into the past and become a decent person, I can’t imagine anything he could say to change my mind.”

Bronx didn’t point out that too many people went back once they realized being lonely was hard and it was painful. He wanted to have hope for her. He needed to have hope for her. He watched as she tucked the money away, then stood up and pulled her sweater sleeves over her fingers.

“I really don’t think he’s coming here. I doubt he would have even looked for me here. But I’m keeping my number on as long as I can, so if something goes wrong, call me.”

Monty nodded, but Bronx could see it on his face that he had no intention of calling her again. Even if she stuck around, he didn’t think she and Monty were ever going to be friends. No matter how much distance she put between herself and Rod, it would hit too close to home.

As it was, Monty didn’t show her out. He stayed rooted to Bronx’s side, one hand on his shoulder, gaze fixed out into the dark distance. They sat in silence until Bronxheard her car start up and pull away, and then he stood, taking Monty into his arms.

“What can I do?”

“Hold me,” Monty said. He swallowed thickly, then looked around. “No Lucas?”

“He’s on a date,” Bronx said, and when Monty’s brows flew up, Bronx laughed. “I’ll tell you all about it later. But he said he’ll be by after, so if you want to get loud?—”

“I want to get under the covers and bury my face in your beautiful pecs and not think about anything until tomorrow.” Monty grabbed him with both hands, squeezing his chest for good measure.

Bronx laughed and tipped Monty’s face up, kissing him thoroughly. “Go get comfy. I’m right behind you.”

And he was, in more ways than one, and he would always, always mean that.

For the rest of their lives.

Epilogue

“This was a mistake. Fuck.”Bronx’s voice was trembling in the back of his throat, and Monty held back a small laugh as he took his lover’s hand and kissed his knuckles. It had been over a year of them together, but this was the first time Bronx had agreed to get in the plane with Lucas and Kylen in the cockpit.

It must have been a family trait, the way Bronx and Dallas were both terrified of flying.

“Relax, Dad,” Lucas said into the headset. “If we go down, you won’t feel a thing.”

“I’m putting him out on the streets,” Bronx said.

Monty laughed and leaned forward, tapping the teen on the shoulder. “Be nice to your dad. He’s freaking out.”

They were just about at cruising altitude, and when the rapid ascent eased up and the plane leveled out, Bronx started breathing more evenly. “How do you find this amusing?”

Monty settled back in his chair and looked at his beloved. “I’ve always loved it, but I’ve also been flying since I was reallysmall.”

“You know I’d only do this for someone I was head over heels for, so consider yourself special,” Bronx said, his voice still a little shaky. “You and Luke both.”

Lucas turned his head back toward them and grinned. “Awww, shucks.”

“Keep your eyes on the sky,” Bronx said.

Lucas reached up and popped one of his eyes out, reaching forward until it touched the window. “Better.”

“Smart-ass,” Bronx muttered. “But yes, thank you. Stay that way the whole flight.”

Monty laughed and tugged Bronx in for a kiss. “We’ll be there soon. Just try to sit back and enjoy it. And remember I won’t ask you to do this again.”

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