Page 184 of Paradox
Even so, and despite the fact that the snow is the lowest and most compacted it’s been all winter—it’s still not safe for Tek to be driving out here. Especially when he’s not thinking rationally.
“Do you think he’ll be okay?”
“His truck’s only a few years old. He should be alright if he takes it slow.”
My head whips around.
“What do you want me to say? You know he’s just as hot headed as I am.”
“Do you think he’d be this upset if it wasn’t you? Or… it wasn’t me?”
“I don’t think any of this is about me. You’re his little brother. He’d hate anyone my age that wanted to be with you. I just so happen to turn it into a betrayal as well.”
With a defeated sigh, I agree. “I really don’t mind if we have to move, though. I definitely wouldn’t miss the chance of running into my parents.”
“Please don’t wish them away.”
“You’ve done well enough without yours.”
“Have I?”
“You own an apartment. You own a business. This cabin.”
“And where do I spend every holiday? Who let me stay with them until I felt safe enough to move into my own place when myrealparents didn’t give it a second thought?”
I nod. No matter how much I don’t want to hear it.
Eden holds out his hand in my direction, and like a moth to a flame, he draws me in.
“The fact that they have expectations shows a level of love mine never did. They’re strict. They don’t take into consideration what you want. But they do give a shit about what you do with the rest of your life.” Guiding me between his legs, I sit down, and as he moves my legs so they are over his thighs, he continues. “I haven’t seen my mother in ten years. There’s no exchanging of presents. She didn’t even call me this Christmas. But every year I get a gift from your family; birthday and Christmas. And there’s always a giant chocolate rabbit for me at Easter.”
Leaning into him, I rest my forehead against the middle of his chest, and breathe him in. “I really wish you’d have been nicer to me.”
“We’re not talking about us right now.”
“I think I was thirteen—the Thanksgiving when the power went out… That’s the first time I noticed you. You’d just shaved all your hair off—d’you remember? You didn’t have that stupid tattoo yet—”
“Hey!” The look on his face is priceless.
“You know I hate it.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s ugly.”
“Your brother did it.”
“I never said it wasn’t well done. I said it was ugly.”
“You’re lucky you’re so cute.”
“And you’re lucky your dick’s so big.”
“I don’t recall you caring about my dick all those times I made you come with my fingers.”
“Ah…” I pinch back a smile. “What were we talking about before?”
Eden plants his hands on my cheeks and gently shakes my head. “We were talking about how much of a little shit you are.” I grin so wide my cheeks push into his palms. “I love you so much.”
