Page 25 of Gratification in Gluttony

Air whistled through his nose with a heavy exhale. “I’m okay, Gemmy. It sucks. It always sucks. But I’m okay.”

“And your mom? I heard you yellboob job,so…”

“Apparently, her left breast is off center by three inches,” Toni said dryly.

“My gods, what a travesty,” Gem said with mock concern. When they exited the elevator, he added, “I’m glad she isn’t dying, though.”

“Me too,” Toni said as they left the clinic and walked into the late afternoon sunshine. “You know, my family can be a bit dramatic.”

“Mmm, more than a bit,” Gem said.

“Hey, you’re one to talk. Have you met your family?” Toni retorted.

“My family is not dramatic. We’re loud,” Gem admitted readily. “But dramatic?”

“You’re more than loud. Your family is crazy.”

“And have you met your family?” Gem threw Toni’s words back at him.

“We’re crazy too, but like rich-celebrity crazy.” Toni waved his hand at Gem to encompass his and his family’s entire existence. “Your family is crazy, like needs-to-be-heavily-medicated crazy.”

Gem simpered. “Oh, honey, sweetie, precious, innocent little baby, it’s adorable how you think we’renotall heavily medicated.”

Toni arched a brow at him. Gem tried and failed to smother a smile. Then they burst into laughter, and it felt so good. Toni loved his family, he did. But he was so glad that he’d made a better one for himself. One that would love him just as fiercely as he loved them; one that would celebrate every part of him, instead of just the parts that suited them.

His mother wasn’t wrong when she’d said that family was important. But it was up to Toni to decide whatfamilyactually meant. More often than not, blood didn’t amount to shit. It was choice that mattered in the end, and that was the family that meant the most.

Chapter eight

Thirty-Four Percent Flirting Margin

Later that night inhis flat in Gluttony, Toni lay in his bed as Gem snored beside him. He tossed and turned, sleep eluding him, even though he was tired and still hungover. With his face buried in his pillow, his attempt at sleep was thwarted by his phone beeping with an incoming message. His head rose, and he propped himself on his elbows as he retrieved the device from the side table.

It was from a contact titled, “The Hottest Human I Know A.K.A. Jude,” and Toni smiled.

Still alive?

Alive and sexy. You?

Lol Same.

The sexy I already knew, but good to hear you’re still breathing.

Such a charmer.

I can charm the pants right off you, if you want. You know, in a friendly way.

Your dedication to friendship is admirable.

What can I say? I’m an admirable guy.

Gem mumbled nonsensically in his sleep, turning on his side and curling up tight. He was shirtless but wore a pair of Toni’s sweatpants that bunched above his leg fur and pulled too taut on his ginormous ass. He looked ridiculous, but it warmed Toni’s heart.

He liked having the people he loved in his space, in his clothes. It was an Elas thing, and Gem never minded staying over when Toni was feeling lonely or insecure. In fact, they slept over at each other’s places far more often than he thought was normal for two adult men.

From an outside perspective, he could understand why people thought they were more than friends. They hung out almost every day and cuddled while watching TV. Most Saturdays were spent together, out at the clubs or shopping in the flea markets of Envy, and every Sunday, they watched the latest episode of their favorite, trashy soap opera,Desperate Desires. Toni even had a standing invitation to the monthly family barbecue at Gem’s parents.

They were close, closer than brothers. Platonic soulmates, Gem had called them once, and Toni had liked that; he’d liked ita lot. Though, titles didn’t matter. They were just Gem and Toni, inseparable since they were fourteen. Couldn’t have one without the other. It just wouldn’t make sense any other way. And Toni wouldn’t change a thing about it. Not for the fucking world.

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