Page 63 of Calculated Chaos

Two hours later, we stumble out onto the sidewalk, drunk as fuck in the middle of the day. After getting Sara safely into a rideshare, I order one for us too, holding on to Hollister as we wait.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, babe.” I kiss the top of his head. “You’ve done so much lately, and I’m in awe of you.”

“Thanks, but I wouldn’t have done any of it without the push from you.”

“So what? You could’ve resisted, but you didn’t. You let yourself explore and find a new path. Little did I know it would lead to me having everything I ever wanted too.”

“Do you mean that? Do you think we can make this last?”

“Fuck yeah. How could either of us possibly go back to dating other people when we know this exists? This kind of love and passion and friendship. This is it for me.”

I want to marry him.

The thought dances in my head, trickling down and gripping my heart. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I manage to shut up. Not here. He deserves better.

“If you have any doubts—”

“No,” Hollister interrupts. “Maybe I’m just scared that something this good can’t exist. Not forever.”

“Just like anything worth having, you have to nurture it. I’ll do the work if you will.”

“I will.”

Pulling him close, I kiss him hard, giving zero fucks who sees us. “Right now, I’m gonna get you home, Hollister, and I’m gonna reward you for being such a good boy today.”

His breath hitches as his eyes heat. “What are you gonna do?”

“Spend the whole afternoon unraveling you.” I grip the back of his neck. “I’m gonna do whatever I want and you’re gonna love it.”

Hollister tilts his head back, nodding. “I love everything you do.”

“Because I know what you need. You know what I need?”

“What?”

“I need to taste your cum. I want it all over me, babe.”

“Fuck,” he whispers, swaying softly in my arms.

“I can’t wait to get you naked again. I love looking at you. Touching you. Tasting your skin. I’m so fucking obsessed with you, Hollister. If you think I’m ever leaving you, you’re crazy.”

“I’m starting to believe you.”

“You need to. You’re perfect for me, warts and all. I know all your quirks and hesitations. I know all your brilliance. And I love all of it. I always have. You can’t scare me away.”

His eyes fill with tears, but he smiles. “I’m so crazy about you, Ax. I’ve never felt this way about someone before.”

“Because you were waiting for me, just like I was waiting for you. We’ve got this, Holl. Together, I believe we can do anything. I really do.”

He nods. “Yeah. We can.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

HOLLISTER

The sound of the doorbell stirs me from sleep. I sit up slightly, focusing on Axel walking to the door before looking around. I chuckle when I realize our trashed asses fell asleep on the couch when we got back from our drunken brunch.

I scratch my head as he steps back from the doorway and two delivery men haul in a box. Axel holds a smaller box in his hands. Once the delivery men are gone, Axel turns to face me with a devious grin on his face.

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