Page 32 of LOT 62

“Me gone from your life forever. I’ll leave you and Nate alone, never come back, and won’t mention anything about the fact that you’re… nevermind.”

“The fact that I’m what?”

“Fucking that Kane boy you hated all your life,” he scoffed. “How the hell did I raise a fag?”

He didn’t raise a fag. He didn’t even raise a son. He didn’t do anything, but it wasn’t worth it to get going on that conversation with him. The sooner he was out of my life, the better.

“If I do this, you swear you’ll leave for good? You’ll never come back, you won’t fuck with Nate or Mom? You won’t fuck with Maddox?”

“You have my word.” His word meant shit to me. “But only if you do this. If you don’t, that pretty boyfriend of yours…”

I’d kill him before he laid a hand on my pretty boyfriend. “When?”

“As soon as you find this thing, I’ll leave. The same day. I’ve got a plan in place. I just need my property back from Harris and a boat to get out of here. There’s nothing left for me here, boy, so the faster you get this done, the faster I’m gone.”

I’d be gone soon, too, because as soon as Nate or Maddox learned I agreed to do this, they’d bury me deeper than six feet under. But how many times had Maddox saved me? It was my turn now, and I wouldn’t fuck it up. I had plans of my own, and they had nothing to do with actually helping my dad.

“What is it? What am I stealing?”

Dad grinned.

Maddoxwasasleeponthe couch when I got back to Lot 62. His bent knee rested against the back cushions, his other leg out straight, one hand on his stomach, and the other behind his head. His dark hair looked damp from a recent shower, and his black boxers sat loosely on his hips because the elastic band had stretched out from age and wear. Maybe I’d buy him some new ones. He looked like he’d shaved a bit, but not down to the skin. I’d told him once that I loved him with a bit of stubble, and ever since, he kept a bit of stubble. It matched his dark lashes, his dark energy, and his dark soul.

But the best part about finding him asleep on the couch? He trusted me. He knew I was out, but he didn’t wait up worrying about me. I loved him for that and hated myself for it even more. I loathed lying to him, but until I knew more about where this item was my dad wanted, I’d keep lying to him to protect him. Knowing Maddox, he’d charge into Gary’s office, steal the thing, and fuel up my dad’s boat just to make sure he actually left. I didn’t want him sacrificing his freedom for my problems this time. I’d do the dirty work to get my dad out, and someday, Madd would understand it.

I kicked off my shoes and settled down right on top of him. I got comfortable between his legs, put all my weight on him, and felt the vibration of him groan against my chest. I rested my cheek there, just to get more of the feeling.

“Fuck, you’re heavy,” he complained, draping his arm around my back.

“Muscle weighs more than fat, bud.” I smiled against his chest.

He slid his hand up my back and played with my hair, making me shiver. Neither of us said anything, choosing to enjoy the comfort of silence so I didn’t have to lie to him and he didn’t have to ream me out. I crushed him. He played with my hair. Our bodies stayed connected, and that’s all that mattered. I really did want to tell him what I’d done, and I wanted to talk shit through about Tom, but none of that mattered enough. Mostly, I wanted to ask him how he was. How his day was.

Instead, I kept my mouth shut and listened to him breathe.

Maddox cleared his throat after a while. “There’s a bat locked in the bathroom.”

“What?” I laughed.

“It got in. It was flying around all insane and shit, so I locked it in the bathroom and closed the door. You can deal with it.”

“Are you afraid of bats?” I asked, laughing.

“No, but Iampissed off at you,” he said. “For doing whatever you did tonight. So now you get to deal with the bat.”

Shit. I refused to look at him. I kept my cheek on his chest, hoping to prolong the peace. “I was just—”

“Don’t lie to me, Devon. Heidi said she saw you at the park with Jim, so just spare me whatever bullshit you were going to tell me. I don’t know why you did it, and you don’t have to tell me, but if you’re going to be stupid, at least be careful.”

Instinct told me to get defensive. I ignored it. I relaxed into him, still cheek to chest, and wrapped my hands around him, calming my breathing. “He says he has a plan in place to leave for good. I’m trying to stay a few steps ahead of him to make sure he follows through.”

Maddox ran his fingers through my hair. In a soft voice, he said, “Things are never that simple. You know that. Just be careful and stop lying to me.”

“Okay,” I said without making a promise. I’d lie to him if I believed it’d keep him safe. “I love you.”

Did we just have a half-ass fight without actually fighting?

“Love you,” he said. “Now go deal with the bat.” He shoved me and I fell between the couch and coffee table. I watched him from the floor, admiring the way he walked to the bedroom. “Hurry up. We’re fucking when you’re done.”

---