Page 103 of From the Ashes
“Phoenix!” I whisper in admonishment.
He laughs that cocky laugh I haven’t heard in years. The one that undid me the first time we were ever together. The part of him that has been missing since running into him three months ago. “What?” he asks, nuzzling my ear. “I’m proud to be your man. I want the whole world to know you just pounded my ass. Besides, thisisour coming out party.”
He grabs my hand and walks me over to the cooler. I suppose it’s acceptable to start drinking before noon on a Saturday if there’s a party.
“Okay, but do we have to call it that? Can’t it just be a celebration?” I ask. I’m not really self-conscious about the label. I’veknown I’m gay for a long time now, I’ve just never felt the need to broadcast it, and today’s about more than just us as a couple.
“Oh, shit,” I suddenly whisper.
“What is it?” Phoenix asks, immediately on alert.
“Today, Alexis and I are going to tell a little boy that I’m his dad.” I turn to Phoenix with full-blown panic in my eyes. “Hisdad, Phoenix. Now that I’m staying in North Carolina and I’m going to be part of his life…I mean…I’m going to bein his life, you know? Fuck, we’ve barely talked about this. What if he needs help with a school project or it’s likebring your dad to school dayand I can’t be there because we’re on the road. Do you even want this? Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fu?—”
Phoenix cuts me off by crushing his mouth to mine.
It works wonders to center me.
When we break apart, Knox is on one side, Hudson is on our other, and Phoenix remains in front of me.
“Hey, we’re going to do this together. Colton is getting six new aunts and uncles, and Alexis is getting a whole support system she’s never had before. And of course I want this, Walker. I want this because I wantyou,and that little boy is a part ofyou.And Alexis? She was good to you before I had the chance to do it myself. She’s loved your son and tried to do what’s right for everyone, and I want what’s best for her too. So, yeah, baby. I fucking want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”
Without another thought, I throw my arms around Phoenix’s neck, vaguely aware that Hudson and Knox seem to have relaxed beside us now that my panic attack is subsiding.
Interestingly, there are three hands on my back, one of which is rubbing comforting circles in the middle…and it isn’t Phoe’s…hispalms are flat against my shoulder blades holding me to him.
Turning my head to the left, I see Knox staring at thedriveway where Jake and Dylan are pulling up in Jake’s Range Rover.
“Looks like we got more company,” he says gruffly, finally removing his hand.
“You good?” Phoenix asks me.
I swallow and nod just as Cassie jumps out of the backseat.
“SURPRISE!” she bellows before flinging herself into Phoenix’s arms. A guy I don’t recognize gets out after her, and I feel Phoenix bristle beside me.
Must be Miguel.
I don’t have long to perseverate on it though because another car is pulling in right behind them.
Colton and Alexis are here.
Chapter 42
Phoenix
I’m protective of all my friends. Although I know of Miguel, we haven’t met yet, and I’m not so sure I would have chosen to do it at this party. I really need to focus on Walker, Alexis, and Colton today.
But when I look up, Miguel is shaking hands with Knox as Dylan and Jake protectively flank his sides, instantly telling me they like him.
So, the more the merrier, I suppose. As long as everyone gives Walker and Alexis privacy as they talk with Colt,andI fall asleep with Walker in my arms tonight, I really don’t care what else happens.
I kiss Cassie’s cheek, allowing myself to be excited about the surprise.
“Cass! What are you doing here? You told me you couldn’t make it,” I remind her.
“Because otherwise it wouldn’t have been a surprise,” she says, rolling her eyes. I have to admit, she looks happy…and that makesmehappy. “Come, I want to introduce you to Miguel,” she gushes with hearts in her eyes.
There’s no pissing match, no puffed out chests, no threats ofyou better take care of our girl. Miguel is as nice as they come and as smitten with Cassie as she is with him. As he should be.They are a gorgeous couple. Miguel looks older than Cassie, but that’s a rude question to lead with, so I wait for the conversation to turn there naturally.
