Page 40 of Kennedy

“You have to know by now that I’d do pretty much anything to make you happy.”

Seymour made a gagging sound. “Were we ever so sweet?” he asked, turning to Jimmy. “Please tell me we weren’t.”

Lewis laughed. “You still are.”

“Take that back.”

“Only if you tell me what Orlando will be doing now that the program’s over.”

Kennedy blinked, wondering where that had come from. He’d noticed Lewis and Orlando talking the other week during the party, but Lewis hadn’t mentioned Orlando since then, not to him anyway.

Seymour’s smile was sly. “I wonder why you want to know.”

Lewis rolled his eyes. “You can tell Kennedy. Hell, he should probably know about the crush Orlando has on him.”

Kennedy cocked his head. “What crush?”

“Orlando mentioned how he would like you to run your hands all over him, so, you know.”

“What do you mean he told you that? When? At the party? Why would he do that?” Kennedy liked Orlando, although he’d never had a crush on the kid. He didn’t understand how Orlando could have been so mean.

Lewis shook his head. “He thought I was Seymour.” He glared at his brother. “By the way, you and I have to talk about that. You knew one of your friends had a crush on my mate, but you didn’t tell me.”

“Well, initially, I hoped he’d bag Kennedy. After you realized that Kennedy was your mate, I thought I wouldn’t need to mention Orlando’s crush since I knew he wouldn’t have a chance.”

“It still would’ve been nice to know about it. At the very least, it would’ve made the situation less embarrassing.”

“For him or for you?”

Kennedy exchanged a glance with Jimmy and shook his head. He hadn’t expected this, but he wasn’t surprised. Trainees having crushes on their trainers happened often. They spent a lot of time together, most of it in an isolated setting. Of course relationships were born and died. Of course people got crushes.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about Orlando,” Kennedy said as he pulled Lewis closer. “I only have eyes for one man, and he’s sitting with me at the table right now.”

Jimmy fluttered his lashes. “Is it me?”

Kennedy kicked him under the table. Jimmy laughed, and Kennedy relaxed in his seat. These men were his family. He might not have expected them, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Orlando left the council entirely,” Jimmy explained, a more serious expression on his face.

“Shit. Was it because of me and what happened?” Lewis asked, already worried for a man he barely knew.

It was one more reason Kennedy loved him. Could anyone be more perfect?

Jimmy shook his head. “I don’t think so. I mean, it’s not like he was madly in love with Kennedy or anything like that. Was he?”

“Not as far as I know.”

“I think he just realized that this life wasn’t for him, which is understandable. I don’t know if he’ll stay in town or if he’ll move.”

“We’ll have to talk to him,” Lewis said as he looked at Seymour. “See if he needs anything.”

“You know you don’t have to do that, right?” Kennedy asked. “He’s not your responsibility. He’s not even your friend.”

“Maybe not, but he’s Seymour’s friend, and I liked him when I talked to him. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”

“I love you.”

Lewis blinked his big green eyes up at Kennedy. “I love you, too.”

That was all Kennedy needed. To know that he loved and was loved. To know that he and Lewis were in this together, forever.

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