Riot

“But it’s real,” I tell him. “It is real.”

It’s been a few days since the fight, and the swelling in his face has receded, leaving behind deep, ugly bruising. He’s paid most of Kyle’s medical debts with the money we won at the fight, and I was with him when he went to the agency and told them he resigned.

He’s free to start again.

With me.

“I know. But it makes no sense.” He’s still quietly ranting, his voice tinged with disbelief. “Why is she doing this? The Crusher’s mom. Fuck. How can I trust her motives? How can you?”

Good question. I shake my head. “I don’t know. I just do.”

“Why?”

“Because she cares for you. I think...I really think that Markus’s death shocked her. Her own son killing another person to get her attention. I think she asked about you, became interested. And the more she got to know you, the more she liked you.” I smile. “You are very likable, you know.”

He quirks a half-smile at me. “Only when you’re around.”

Aww…

“She told me you’re the son she’d have liked to have, if fate cared. Isn’t that enough? Can’t we choose the family we want, that makes us happy?”

He lifts one brow, dubious. “I guess.”

“No guessing involved.” I put my arms around him, rest my cheek on his chest. “I choose you.”

“Thank fuck,” he says with feeling, and I laugh as I lead him inside, Batman following us. “And you haven’t regretted it? Asking for me, instead of someone polished and suave?”

We stop inside the hall, and I turn to him. “A few weeks back, I used to think my life was ruined. That I lost myself, who I would have become. That I’d have studied something else—design? history?—and dated many boys at college, have had my heart broken a million times. Partied, traveled, sought what I want, if that night at the biker’s club hadn’t happened.” I smile at him. “Now I’m not sure I regret anything. Terrible though that night was, it brought you into my life. How can I ever regret that? How could I ever regret you? I love you and I don’t need to look any further.”

He swallows hard, his eyes too bright. “You have no fucking idea how much I love you. You’re my whole world, Pax.”

And he is mine.