Bound Together (Torn and Bound Duet 2)

I scan the auditorium, looking for my family, but there are too many people. I make my way to sit beside my buddy Reese. He and I are the only two graduates with a PhD in psychology this semester. The rest are in different fields of study. Reese is a total fucking nerd who sucks ass at video games, but he’s cool as hell and Peyton loves him.

“Anderson act like he’s now your number one fan or am I just trippin’?” he asks, his black brow arched high.

“Dude, he was seconds from sucking my dick he was so proud.” I shake my head. “He was a total douchebag before I went in to defend my dissertation, telling me it wasn’t too late to quit. Fucking asshole.”

He shakes his head. “Someone gave him a degree that allowed him to fuck with heads, and he sure as hell fucked with ours.”

“Not anymore,” I say, grinning.

We bump fists.

After this, we’re on to bigger and better things. This move to Chicago—because of Brayden’s trade to be with the Chicago Freezes a few years ago—was the best one yet. Drew took a position at the University of Chicago, coaching their hockey team. He’s a hot commodity wherever we go, but at least this city has been really good to us. Even Mia has had better opportunities regarding her scripts. Just last month, she sold her first screenplay to an indie production studio based here in Chicago. Our girl will have her first movie one day in the near future.

As for me, I already have a job lined up at Chicago Mental Health Hospital in the LGBTQ division. Reese will also join me there, but he’s going to be dealing with substance abuse patients. My patients will all be ones I not only can relate to, but ones I’m confident I can help.

Before long, the ceremony is over and I’m hugging Reese before heading off to find my family. I find Drew first in the crowd. He shoulders his big ass through the swarm of people, nearly knocking me off my feet with a bear hug.

“So fucking proud of you.” He pulls away to plant a kiss on my lips. “And you look hot, Doc.”

My dick twitches. “We can play doctor later. These people don’t want to watch me give you a rectal exam.”

“Poppa!”

I see Peyton over everyone’s head as she sits on her dadda’s shoulders. Her blue eyes twinkle and her grin is just like her mother’s. As soon as Brayden is close enough, she launches herself at me. I catch our little girl, snuggling her to me. Drew takes my diploma from me so I can take our kid.

“Hey, squirt. Miss me?” I ask, tickling her.

“Ganny and Peepaw said we can get ice cream!” she shrieks. “Let’s go!”

My dad shrugs as he walks up, a guilty look on his face. “How was I supposed to say no?”

“He didn’t even try,” Mom tattles.

They’re both wearing matching grins, proud of this day and me. It’s amazing how far we’ve come as a family. There was a time I thought they hated me and I was pretty sure I hated them. But with Drew’s, Mia’s, and Brayden’s guidance, I worked on my relationship with my parents. Mom’s been sober for a few years now and it’s amazing what a difference it’s made in my parents’ marriage.

“Congrats, babe,” Brayden says, leaning in for a kiss.

“That’s Dr. Hottie to you,” I tell him, smirking.

He laughs. Peyton pets my face. She’s a super affectionate kid like that.

“Where’s Momma?” I ask her.

“Mom and Dad went with her and Harold outside for some fresh air,” Brayden says.

Worry niggles at me. “She okay?”

“Nine months pregnant and wearing heels?” Drew asks. “What do you think?”

“We better bail,” I say. “Where are we going for dinner?”

“Your mother had reservations at La Bastille on the river, but…” Dad trails off. “They don’t have ice cream.”

Weak.

That motherfucker is so weak for his grandkid.

“Looks like we’re headed to Holiday Pizza. They have self-serve ice cream and skee-ball machines,” I say with a triumphant grin, holding my fist up for Peyton.

She giggles, bumping it, and then squeezes my neck. We all make our way through the crowd. I smile seeing Brayden and Drew holding hands. Because of Brayden’s popularity with the NHL, our relationship—that people tried exploiting early on in his career—is no longer a surprise to most people. In fact, we have quite a bit of support. Brayden’s been a huge supporter for the LGBTQ community, encouraging his teams to put focus on those non-profit organizations that sometimes get overlooked. Turns out, we’re also not the only polyamorous relationship out there, either. We’ve made friends, here in Chicago, who are like us.

I find Mia sitting on a bench between Harold and Molly. Tim paces, a worried expression on his face.