Curtis’ mind woke first, but he refused to open his eyes for fear the throbbing behind his eyes would get worse. Turns out, he needed to learn how to throw a proper head-butt, so if he ever had to do it again, he didn’t give himself a concussion along with it. He had a fractured wrist and got four stitches over his eye where he’d been hit with the end of a pistol when he’d tried to struggle. He’d had to stay in the hospital for twenty-four hours of observation.

He’d ached all over when his dad had finally climbed off him in that parking lot, but he was too scared to leave their side so he said he was fine. By the time he’d gotten taken away in the ambulance, he’d concluded how the gunman had been taken out. It was horrible, sad, and so unnecessary.

By the time his dads got to him, it was almost midnight. Furi had kept a close eye on him, and entertained him until they’d arrived. They looked miserable and guilt-ridden. Curtis had been X-rayed, CT-scanned, stitched and splinted all before they got there.

After they finally stopped apologizing, Ruxs told Curtis who the man was that had held him hostage and how he knew him. Told him about catching him at his mom’s and fighting with him before he had them both arrested. Ruxs even explained what type of deal Green had gotten for his mom. Now Ruxs believed that everything was his fault. Curtis tried unsuccessfully to ease their minds but he gave up and eventually let the pain meds do their job, putting him into a peaceful sleep.

But now they must’ve worn off. He thought he may have groaned. It was hard to be sure in his kinda awake state. He tried to move his hand and yelled out at the pain. Oh yeah, fractured wrist.

“Easy there, bad boy.”

Oh my lord. Curtis would know that sexy whisky-dripped baritone anywhere. He’d force open his own eyes now just to see those green eyes looking down at him. He didn’t care if his head exploded into a million pieces. It’d be worth it for this sight.

“Open those beautiful baby blues,” Genesis said in a hushed drawl.

Curtis fought through the fog and the pain and cracked open his eyes. He blinked a few times at the harsh light above his head but he kept on until Genesis’ gorgeous face was in focus. Curtis’ lips parted in a smile. What on earth was he doing there? He believed it was a Monday now. Genesis should be in school.

“Gen. What are you—” Curtis stopped when his voice came out sounding like Clint Eastwood. He coughed, trying to clear his throat. Genesis smiled back at him and picked up a cup of water from his hospital tray. He was so gentle when lifting Curtis’ head, he had to remembering to stop swooning like a fangirl and swallow. Genesis delicately rested his head back on the pillow.

“If you’re trying to ask, what I’m doing here, we have a date remember?” Genesis said in the sexiest voice Curtis had ever heard. Damn. How many voices does this man have?

“Our date isn’t until Friday,” Curtis croaked.

“It is Friday,” Genesis said with a serious expression.

Curtis bolted upright. “What?” he yelled, wincing at the pain that stupid move caused.

Genesis put his hand on his chest, gently pushing him back down, trying to contain his deep laughter. “Sorry. Bad joke to play on a concussion patient.”

Curtis rolled his eyes. “You’re an ass, Gen.”

Genesis picked up Curtis’ uninjured hand and kissed his palm like he’d done before. It was such an enchanting gesture. “I like it when you call me Gen.”

Curtis still pouted at Genesis’ teasing.

“If I kiss you, will you forgive my terrible joke?”

“Yes,” Curtis said so fast his face flushed with embarrassment. Obviously he wasn’t too upset.

Genesis chuckled. That beautiful mouth of his turning up in the corners. Genesis lowered his huge body to Curtis, careful not to press down on him – but oh how he wanted all those muscles to smother him – and pressed a sweet kiss to his mouth. Curtis craned his neck up when Genesis made a move to end the kiss. Genesis laughed in his mouth and Curtis thought that was the most amazing feeling ever. He smiled back against plush lips and quickly darted his tongue to taste the man that had been the source of many a wet dream.

Although Genesis didn’t deepen their kiss or steal his own taste, he did lick his own lips, taking the taste of Curtis off his lips and into his mouth. With their lips still barely touching, Genesis murmured, “You are a little bad boy, aren’t you?” Genesis brought his hand up and brushed a lock of hair behind Curtis’ ear. “A very pretty bad boy.” Genesis gave him another soft kiss, and Curtis swore he was in heaven.

“You said we’re supposed to be good. You have to stop touching me like that.” Curtis panted.

“I don’t know how,” Genesis whispered almost painfully. Leaning back in and kissing Curtis again.

“Well, like brother like brother, huh?” Day’s sarcastic voice killed their moment as he sauntered into the room without knocking. “Better pull back, Casanova, ‘my two dads’ are right behind me.”

Genesis was off the bed just in time for Ruxs, Green, and God to come into the room. Curtis knew he still looked flushed and he’d crossed his legs to hide his very stiff erection. Daggone. Will me and Gen ever have some privacy? Day was laughing as Ruxs and Green stared back and forth between a nervous Genesis and a horny Curtis.

“For Christ’s sakes, Genesis. Let the boy get out of the hospital first.” God punched his brother in the chest, which was probably their usual fun and playful sparring, but damn it sounded like it hurt.

“Curtis the doctor said you can be discharged this evening. Your scans and everything are fine,” Ruxs said still glaring over at Genesis.

“Good. I’m ready to go,” Curtis said with enough irritation to make his dads laugh.

“Oh my poor baby. What happened? Are you okay? Let me look at you. Oh thank the heavens.” Green’s mom fluttered into the room with her large Anne Klein bag in the crook of her arm and a whirlwind of Chanel perfume wafting in behind her as she hugged and kissed and loved on him. He didn’t bother to protest or try to stop her. He didn’t always mind her fawning over him. It had to be the blonde hair, blue eyes, and baby face that made all women treat him like a delicate flower. 

“I’m fine, Grandma. It doesn’t even hurt.” Curtis smiled trying to chase away her tears with his own forced cheerful demeanor. She continued to pet and survey him.

“Um. I’m fine too, Mom,” Green said from the end of Curtis’ bed, his head slightly bowed with a ridiculous pout on his face. It looked extremely comical on someone of Green’s size.

That really did cheer up the room because the laughter didn’t stop as Day started joking with Green about being a spoiled mama’s boy and Green went right back at Day. They kept Curtis entertained until it was time for him to leave. After he’d showered and changed into the fresh clothes Vickie brought over, he quietly asked his dads for a minute alone with Genesis.

“I’ll just stand over here in the corner. You won’t even know I’m here,” Ruxs said moving back by the small closet in the room. Green grabbed Ruxs arm and practically shoved him out the door. 

“Something you have to say to me, my pretty little bad boy?” Genesis said softly, walking over to stand so close to Curtis he could feel Genesis’ heart beating.

Curtis chuckled. “Why do you keep calling me a bad boy? You know I’m not.”

“My brother told me what you did in the parking lot, how you took your cue from Ruxs.” Genesis held Curtis’ injured arm like it was newborn baby. “I think it’s amazing.”

Curtis blushed terribly. “It was nothing.”

“If you say so. But I find it very, very attractive.” Genesis’ voice had gotten even deeper, sexier. “All that toughness, wrapped up in such a pretty package.”

Curtis looked up into those sparkling green eyes, full of life, full of kindness, full of potential love, with just a hint of mischief. But that was going to make going out with Genesis so much fun. Curtis needed a lot more of that in his life. It’d been lacking for many years. He had his family now and hopefully a new man. He knew Genesis would be the perfect Southern gentleman until he turned eighteen, but that was okay. It was more than okay. He may be a superstar athlete, but he was raised by a good Christian mom who’d taught her sons well. Curtis was going to do everything he could to be a good match for Genesis Godfrey.

“You’re ready to drive back to school now?” Curtis asked, trying to conceal some of the disappointment in his voice.

Genesis tilted Curtis’ head up to look at him. “Yes. I wish I could stay longer but the coach raised enough hell about me missing practice today.”

“He bitched because you told him your brother is a cop and was shot at? That’s not considered a family emergency?”

“No. He bitched because I told him my boyfriend needed me.”

Curtis was so shocked he ended up leaning into Genesis’ broad chest to keep from falling over. Boyfriend. “You came back for me?”

“If I came home every time God or Day were shot at, I’d flunk out of school for sure.” Genesis drawled.

Curtis looked back down at his feet and Genesis gently lifted his head up again.

“I know I said boyfriend. I want you to know, I’m not seeing anyone and I haven’t in a long time. I’m not a player or a tramp or whatever else guys try to be these days. I just want someone to spend time with that actually likes me. I just want to spend some time with you. It’s soon, I know. You don’t have to say boyfriend if you —”

“No. B-boyfriend is fine,” Curtis said hurriedly.

Genesis smiled and shook his head. “Good, then.” He bent and kissed Curtis lightly on his forehead.

“I have to head back. I’ll call you later. And I’ll see you on Friday.”

“Eight o’clock sharp,” Curtis whispered.

Genesis kissed Curtis’ injured wrist and laid it back at his side. “Be good until I get back, bad boy.” Genesis leaned low until he was at Curtis’ ear. His voice threatening and growly. “I’d hate to have to spank you when I get back.”

Curtis shivered hard as Genesis gave him a lingering kiss behind his ear, before backing up with a devious grin.

Dear lord. How will I stop myself from behaving like a tramp? “Drive carefully, Gen.” Curtis said before Genesis got to the door.

“Six days, beautiful,” Genesis said softly, right before he let the door close.