Page 62 of Boy Issues

“I love you. I fucking love you so much, Silver.”

Donovan buried his nose in the crook of Silver’s neck and clutched him tighter. Silver tried to wrap his brain around what the hell was happening.

“Hey, baby.” Silver rubbed Donovan’s back, kneading his muscles, trying to soothe his boy.

My boy who loves me.

He smiled against Donovan’s head. The day had suddenly gotten much brighter.

“Come on, mijo. Let’s sit down. Then you can tell me what’s going on.”

Silver gently extricated himself from Donovan, but kept hold of his hand. Donovan allowed himself to be led to the rolling chair, and as Donovan took a seat, Silver was startled at the tears trailing down Donovan’s cheeks.

Silver perched on his haunches in front of Donovan and gazed up at him, cupping his cheek.

“What’s wrong, mijo? Let Papi take care of you.”

“I have so much to say, Silver.” He sniffed. “Could we go upstairs? I’d like to sit in your lap.” A loud chorus of yells echoed throughout the open space from the apartment. Donovan dropped his head in his hands. “Oh, man.” He regarded Silver. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking. You have company. I’ll come back later when—”

“Like hell you will.” Silver grasped Donovan’s chin and locked gazes with him. “You’re going to listen to Papi and not argue, got it?”

Donovan sniffed again, but a slow smile spread across his face. “I’ll be a good boy.”

Silver grinned back. “See? Papi makes everything better.”

He cupped Donovan’s nape then pulled him down for a deep, claiming kiss. Donovan clasped Silver’s arms and they explored each other’s mouths until a loud throat-clearing interrupted the moment. Silver broke away then stood, but kept his arm protectively around Donovan’s shoulders.

Nico stood at the top of the stairs, scratching his head. “Sorry, bro. Didn’t realize you were…uh…” He shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “Busy.”

“You’re fine.” Silver squeezed Donovan’s shoulder. “I’d like you to meet my boy, Donovan.” He glanced down to catch Donovan’s reaction and was pleased that he seemed accepting of the title. “This is my buddy, Nico. You might remember him from the diner.”

Nico started to make his way down the stairs. “Yeah, I’m the one who was jealous of your ‘Vette. You’ve got some seriously sweet rides, from what Silver says.”

Donovan chuckled as he swiped the back of his hand across his eyes. “Well, for now at least.”

Uh-oh. There was a story there that Silver needed to hear immediately.

Donovan rose then extended his hand to Nico. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Where the hell did you guys go? It’s no fun beating people up alone.” Erika ground to a stop as she leaned over the railing. “What’d I miss?”

Nico yelled up, “Silver’s boy stopped by! This is Donovan.”

“Right on. Let me shut off the console then I’ll be down.”

“It’s okay, Erika.” Silver wrapped an arm around Donovan’s waist. “I’ll take care of it in a sec. Come down and meet Donovan on your way out.”

Donovan’s jaw dropped and he regarded Silver with wide eyes. “I didn’t mean for you to kick everyone out. I can hang out with your friends.”

Silver whispered in his ear, “I know you can, mijo. Another time. Right now, we need to talk, and it’s all good with Nico and Erika. They understand.”

“Oh, okay.”

Donovan laced his fingers with Silver’s, which already told him a lot of the story Donovan had to share. He’d stopped hiding.

After a quick introduction of Donovan to Erika, Silver’s friends took off. Of course, that was once they’d made Donovan promise he’d stop by Erika’s house the next time there was a barbecue.

Silver locked the door behind Nico and Erika, then turned to face Donovan. “Let me grab some waters, then we’ll head upstairs.” As he moved past Donovan to the fridge, he said, “And no holding back. I want to know everything.”

Donovan grabbed Silver’s arm, stopping him. “I’m never holding back again. I love you, you’re my Papi, I’m your boy, end of story.”

Silver arched his eyebrows, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.” He cupped Donovan’s head, bringing their mouths together for quick, demanding kiss. He locked gazes with him when he was done, still holding onto his boy. “And I love you too, mijo.”

Donovan responded with a toothy smile. “Well. I’m feeling better already.”

As Silver handed Donovan one of the cool water bottles, he noted his red and swollen knuckles. He regarded Donovan with a frown.

“What happened to your hand?”

Donovan looked down then chuckled. He lifted his gaze. “Let’s just say, I don’t think me and my brother are on speaking terms anymore.”

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