by Nicki Rowe
“Get out of here,” I seethed. “Yer interrupting a perfectly good party.”
“You need to be with your family,” my father slurred.
“He is with his family,” Greta said firmly. She stepped forward, and crossed her arms over her chest. “You caused this boy harm. I will not allow him to go back with you.”
“He's my son, you gray-haired bitch!”
“Hey!” Several people shouted.
“He is an adult,” Carter replied. “If you don't remove your ass from my property I will arrest you for trespassing and public intoxication. Now get the fuck off of my lawn.”
“Who the fuck—”
Edward stepped forward, and reached a hand out to me. “Come on, baby. Let the police take care of him.”
I turned to go to him, but my father's grip pulled me back. His hand was so tight on my arm, I cried out.
“Baby! BABY!” he raged. “Fucking disgusting. You let a man call you that. You come up to this shithole town and get yourself a boyfriend?” he sneered again.
“Fiance, actually,” I said in a moment of stupid bravery.
“Fucking faggots.”
“Now,” Declan said, striding forward with Carter, Lucky and the guys from the tattoo shop flanking him. “If you don't let go of Caleb's arm this 'fucking faggot' is going to kick your ass.”
Father looked up at the sheer size of Declan and the others. Declan had once been an MMA fighter and oozed power and menace. Carter was angry and there was a storm brewing in his eyes. The guys from the tattoo shop looked like they had possibly been born to fight and had just stepped out of a tattoo magazine, biker edition. The tattoo artist with the scars down his face even had a knife strapped to his thigh. I wouldn't want to go up against any of them.
The yard was deathly quiet; the air was thick with tension. Father's fist flew out and caught me right in the cheek. I stumbled back with a startled yelp, and that's when all hell broke loose.
Edward reached for me, pulling me away from the massive men who descended on my father. Declan popped Father once, twice in the mouth before he went down. He whimpered, backing away from one of the tattoo guys who was crowding him and popping his knuckles.
“If I ever see you in my fucking town again,” the younger tattoo artist with scars on his face—I think his name was Axe—said, “I will fucking kill you.”
Lucky and Carter, and the rest of the police force shoved the tattoo guy back and hauled my father to his feet.
“That's trespassing, public intoxication and assault,” Lucky said, handcuffing my father's hands behind his back.
“Baby,” Edward turned me to look at him as they hauled my father away. I could feel my cheek swelling. He gently rubbed his thumb over the knot. “Are you okay?”
I didn't realize I was shaking until I wrapped my arms around Edward. He held me close, rubbing soothing circles on my back. Cody came from inside of the house. I don't know who had been smart enough to take the kids inside, but I was glad Billy, Olivia, Naomi and Cody hadn't witnessed any of the violence. Cody ran to us and wrapped his arms around our waists.
“Are you okay?” he sobbed.
I knelt in front of him, and put a hand on his shoulder. His tiny body was shaking, and tears were falling from his eyes. “Don't cry, Codes. I'll be all right.”
He wrapped his arms around my neck. “I love you, Caleb. I love you like you are my own brother.”
“I know, Codes,” I replied, wrapping my free arm around him—my other hand was still being held by Edward. “I love you too.”
“Do you want to press charges?” Carter's voice came from above me.
I looked up at the behemoth of a man, and offered a small smile. “No, but Diego mentioned I could file a restraining order. I would like to do that. I don't want him coming anywhere near Me, Edward or Cody.”
“Baby—”
I gave Edward a look, and took his hand. “I don't think he will come back, but I need to make sure you two are safe.”
“You don't think he will do something to hurt them, do you?” Diego said, coming up to Carter's side.
“No,” I replied, kissing Edward's knuckles. “I don't think he will be coming back after today. I just want to be cautious.”
Carter nodded. “I'll talk to the chief and judge tomorrow.”
I nodded. I looked over at Declan and flashed him a grateful smile. He just nodded at me, and then went to search for Lucky.
“Do you need anything?” Diego offered. “Ice?”
“Ice would be amazing,” I replied, touching my cheek tenderly. I looked around the people in the backyard; everyone was looking at me concerned and nervously. I felt the blush creep up my cheeks.
“Do you want to leave?” Edward asked.
“No.” I kissed Edward's knuckles on more time before dropping his hand and looping an arm over his shoulder. “I want to enjoy the rest of the party.”
Edward
I watched Caleb talk and laugh among our friends as Carter fired up the grill again and continued working on the burgers and hot dogs. There was a tightness around Caleb's eyes that I feared probably wouldn't go away for awhile. The knot on his cheek was double in size, but he looked otherwise fine.
The band on my ring finger felt cool against my warm skin. I lifted it to admire the design woven from the melted silver. Just the sight of it made my cock twitch and my heart fill with emotion. I was going to be Caleb's husband. Me. Edward Knight was going to be someone's husband. If you had asked me seven months ago if I ever thought about getting married I would have told you no. Sure, I had been lonely, but I never thought I would be someone's husband. I looked up to the partially cloudy sky, and closed my eyes.
Well, Mom and Dad, your little boy is growing up.
“You look peaceful,” Caleb said, coming to a stop in front of me.
I looked down at him and smiled. “I am.”
He stuck his arm out and I wrapped my fingers in his. “Come with me.”
He led me around the front of the house and away from everyone. He leaned against the brick, and looked at me. His face was smooth and serene. I went to him, fitting in to his arms like they were made just for me. I melted against him and inhaled his scent.
“Do you ever think we rushed this?” Caleb asked, burying his face in my shoulder.
“No!” I snapped, pulling back and looking at him. Hurt bubbled in my chest. “Do you?”
“Of course not. I was just thinking that we fell in love and got engaged in the matter of six months, a lot of people would say that's fast.”
I shrugged and snuggled back up against him. “Fuck what other people think,” I said. “I love you. I will always love you.”
“And I will always love you.” he vowed. He leaned down and sealed my mouth with a sweet kiss.
Check out Mason's story in
Boys of Glensville
Book Three