Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 135792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Coming!” Knox yelled from the grill, already stacking the pieces of meat on a large plate.
Just seeing him come closer with that steaming pile had Liv salivating for more than one reason. He clapped. “Bravo for the master of the barbeque. Man, I can’t wait to dig in.”
“Photos first,” Ezra reminded him with a camera in hand, standing at the head of the table, where he’d sit next to Frank.
“Yes, smile, honey,” Dex said, kneeling on the bench and holding Hammer close. Lo and behold, the stormy-faced bastard looked quite handsome when his features relaxed.
Liv pulled on Knox’s hand as soon as the rabbit was on the table, and embraced him, excited by the realization that this would be their first photo as a couple. He kissed the back of Knox’s head and whispered it into his ear.
Dex let out a big sigh. “Look at us, one big, happy family. Frank’s everyone’s dad, Shane’s the moody uncle, you guys are the two cousins from abroad—”
“What about you and Hammer?” Liv asked as they sat down, racing for the best pieces of meat. Liv made sure to snatch a turkey leg for Knox, and dropped it onto his plate.
Dex shrugged. “The cool first cousin and his super-hot fiancé.”
You could have heard a spoon drop in the sudden silence.
“You… you never said you were engaged,” Ezra said eventually, squeezing Frank’s shoulder.
“Oh, I asked him a while ago, but we don’t have anything set up yet,” Dex said. “I wanted to get married in an inflatable castle kind of thing, thought it would be really funny if guests kept falling over, but Hammer wasn’t too keen on that.”
Hammer cleared his throat, keeping his eyes on the portion of sweet potato resting on his plate. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing it properly. At the clubhouse.”
And was that… a flush on his cheeks? Adorable.
“And me?” Jag sat up in excitement, holding a piece of meat with both hands as he ate.
Dex grinned. “You’re obviously the family guard dog. Which makes Dane your bitch.”
Dane frowned, cocking his head as if he wasn’t sure if he’d heard him right. “Excuse me?”
“Dex, what the hell?” Frank barked and slapped the back of his head, ignoring the glare of death thrown his way by Hammer. “Apologize!”
Dex spread his arms, laughing. “What? I’m just saying it like it is!”
“You take that back!” Jag yelled, dropping his food and jumping to his feet.
“No! It’s funny!” Dex bolted from behind the table when Jag reached for him.
Shane sniggered, leaning to Liv. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”
Not having any stakes in the sudden conflict, Liv focused on the flavor of his food and met Knox’s gaze from up close as the two figures passed back and forth on the edge of his vision, chasing each other around the table. “What’s a family holiday without a bit of fighting, right?” he whispered before letting his eyes roll back at the first bite of grilled rabbit. “Oh my god, Knox, this is so good!”
“And it’s the ones I caught too,” Knox said proudly, stuffing his face. “Made me feel all manly and shit.”
A spark of joy warmed Liv on the inside, and he nudged Knox with his shoulder, “I never had any doubts about your manliness, babe. Not with the way you take care of me,” he said, nodding at their feast.
“We’re gonna have leftovers for days. It’s gonna be either turkey or rabbit sandwiches for you.” Knox nuzzled Liv’s cheek just as Jag caught Dex, trying to make him apologize.
Liv couldn’t have felt calmer and more accepted. Here he was, with his boyfriend, his love, and not worried about anyone judging them. It made him realize, he didn’t give a shit if people knew he was bi or not. Those who mattered did, and anyone else? They could go fuck themselves.
He needed a place where he and Knox could be themselves and not worry about someone judging them for kissing or holding hands. And they found it. This could be their home. And if being around all the other guys already felt so natural, so freeing, then it could only get better. Maybe they’d become cousins not-from-abroad, but the kind who popped in every day for a little chat?
“I’m gonna add wood to the bonfire,” Knox said and licked his fingers, getting up. As tempting as the food was, Liv didn’t want to leave his man’s side for a second tonight. He rose, grabbing Knox’s hand on the way to the burning wood pile.
“I’ll make sure you don’t overexert yourself,” he joked, patting Knox’s ass.
Knox grinned. “Too late. I brought the tables here, and everything. You deserve this for putting up with my shit.”
A brief laugh erupted from Liv’s chest. “Your shit? Are you kidding? You literally saved my life. I’m only giving back,” he said, watching the buzzing flames.