Chapter 20
Max
“Hey, Ma, can I talk to you about something?” I slide into a chair at the kitchen table and watch my mother scurry about the kitchen in a tizzy like usual.
“Of course, you can talk to me about anything.”
“Can you sit down for a second?” I ask, fidgeting in my seat.
My mom frowns and stops what she’s doing to sit down at the table across from me. She reaches for my hand with concern in her eyes.
“What’s the matter, mio figlio?”
“Nothing, there’s just something I need to tell you, and I’m not sure how you’re going to feel about it.”
“Just tell me. It can’t be that bad,” she encourages.
“I met someone. I’m in love.”
“This is incredible news! Why do you look so nervous to tell me such joyous news? Tell me, who is she?”
“That’s the thing; it’s not a she. It’s Clay.”
Her smile falters for a second, and she squeezes my hand. “Maybe you just haven’t met the right girl yet,” she suggests hopefully.
“No, Ma. I’ve looked for girls. I dated so many girls who didn’t make me feel a fraction of what I feel for Clay. And when I think of how many years I had Clay right in front of me and didn’t realize what I was missing...didn’t realize how much happiness I was missing out on...” I shake my head as the reality hits me that I easily could’ve gone on never really seeing him. I could’ve gone my whole life without Clay lighting me up from the inside out. “All this time, I thought I needed to look for the right girl, but it turned out I had to realize what I really needed was the right person to make me happy. And that person is Clay. I know you love me, Ma, and I need you to see what he means to me.”
I hold my breath as I wait for her response. I know my dad and brothers are going to have more of a difficult time adjusting to this new development. But ultimately, my mom rules the roost, and if she accepts me with Clay, they’ll have to come around eventually.
“All I want is for you to be happy, mio figlio.”
My shoulders sag in relief, and I wrap my arms around my mom and hug her with all the fierce love and appreciation pounding through me.
“I love you, Ma.”
“I love you too. Now, when can I meet this man of yours?”
“You’ve met Clay a hundred times.”
“I haven’t met him as your boyfriend. You’ll bring him to dinner on Saturday.”
“Yes, Ma,” I reply obediently. “You’ll talk to dad, Gio, and Tony?”
“You don’t want to tell them yourself?”
“I don’t think they’ll take it well,” I admit.
“They love you, too. They’ll take it well, or I’ll give each one of them a swift kick.”
I chuckle as relief floods me. “There’s one other thing I have to tell you, Ma.”
“Go on,” she prompts.
“Jess is getting married, and they’re moving to New York. I took her to court to try to get custody of Gigi, but I lost. They’re leaving in three weeks.”
My mom gasps, putting her hand over her heart. Her grandchildren are her life, so I know she’s hurting as much as I am over this news.
“There has to be something you can do.”
I shake my head. “I’ve tried everything, and I’m out of options. I’ll get Gigi during school breaks, and the rest of the time she’ll be in New York with Jess.”
Tears roll down her cheeks. “You have to go with her. She needs you.”
“I can’t. My whole life is here. Clay is here,” I argue.
“God has a plan for this; I know he does,” she insists.
“You know I don’t believe in that stuff, Ma. This is the hand I was dealt, and I’m just going to have to make the best of it.” I stand up and then lean over to give her a hug. “I’ll bring Clay over for dinner in a few days, and I’ll tell Dad, Gio, and Tony about everything. Love you, Ma.”
Clay
My feet are killing me when I get off work. All I can think about is a hot bath and a foot rub. And I’m willing to give Max anything in exchange for that foot rub.
Max isn’t home yet when I arrive, so I strip off my clothes and head into the bathroom to fill the tub. I’m in the process of adding some bath salts—and there might be a little bit of singing and booty shaking—when the door creaks open, and Max pops his head in.
He whistles as his gaze rakes over my body, and a giggle bubbles from my chest.
“You’re just in time. Care to join me?”
“Absolutely.” Max tears his clothes off and leaves them piled on the floor. I lick my lips at the miles of gorgeous, toned muscle now on display.
Max climbs into the tub, and I follow. I snug up against him, my back to Max’s front, and then I let out a sigh of contentment.
“This is really nice,” Max murmurs, his chest vibrating against me. “Having you all naked and slippery is almost as fun as having you tied up for me.”
“I don’t know about that,” I chuckle.
“Hey, thanks for putting up with me this week. I know I’ve been a total drag.”
Max strokes a finger slowly up and down my arm and kisses the side of my neck.
“You were dealt a major blow, love. I understand it taking you some time to cope.” I reach back and loop my arms around his neck and close my eyes, so I can just enjoy the closeness.
I know I told Beck I’d have to convince Max to move to New York if things went badly at the custody hearing. I still think I should, but every time I try to find the words, the time feels wrong, or the words aren’t right, or I just plain chicken out.
“I stopped by and saw my mom after work today,” Max tells me.
“Did you tell her about Gigi?”
“Yeah, she cried. I felt so bad breaking her heart like that.”
“I’m sorry. You don’t have anything to feel bad about. If anyone should feel bad, it’s Jess,” I point out.
“The situation sucks, but I understand her side, too. I know if it were only up to her, she wouldn’t be taking Gigi away.”
“I know, but I need someone to blame for a little bit longer,” I admit, and Max chuckles.
“I also told my mom about you and me.”
“What?” I gasp, craning my neck to look at him. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. She was a little weird at first, but after I explained things, I think she realized that this is what makes me happy.”
“That’s so great, love. I’m proud of you.” I kiss him on the cheek.
“She wants us to go over there for dinner next weekend.”
“Okay,” I agree. “Oh, that reminds me, Beck wants us to go out with the guys again Friday. Are you up for it?”
“Absolutely. I want to be out to them. There’s no reason for us to hide what we have,” Max says resolutely.
“We don’t have to rush anything. We can take things at whatever pace you’re comfortable with,” I assure him.
“I know; I’m ready to tell our friends. Beck already knows, which means Gage must know. And who knows who he’s told.”
“Gage isn’t a gossip.”
“I know. I don’t want to hide how I feel about you.”
“Okay,” I agree again with a smile. “Then we’ll go on Friday, and I’ll get to hold your hand in public and everything.”
“Whatever you want, petal.”
Max
“Mmm, don’t you look sexy,” Clay notes, peeking into my bedroom as I finish getting dressed to go out with the guys tonight.
I don’t know why, but I’m nervous. I’ve hung out with these guys a hundred times. But now, I guess I feel like I need their approval. Clay had no problem blending into the tight knit group from the start; now, it’s like I need their blessing to date him.
“Thank you. You look great, too.”
Clay walks over and stands in front of the mirror with me. He tilts his head to rest on my shoulder, and he gazes at our reflection.
“We look good together. We complement each other, you know?” Clay says.
“Yeah, we do,” I agree.
“Are you sure you’re ready to be open in front of our friends...and out in public at the bar?” Clay checks, looking up at me with concern.
“I am. You don’t deserve to be a secret, and I’m not going to treat you like one.” I tilt his face and press my lips against his. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yup.”
This time, Clay doesn’t falter when I hand him a motorcycle jacket and helmet. He does still stumble as he mounts the bike behind me, but that’s just cute as hell.
It doesn’t take long for us to hit O’Malley’s.
I help Clay off the bike, but really, it’s more of an excuse to put my hands on him and pull him close.
Clay smiles up at me, and it does funny things to my heart. I think again about what Gigi asked a few weeks ago. I know I love Clay. But, can I see building a life with him?
I trace my thumb along his bottom lip before leaning in and capturing it between my teeth. Clay sighs into my mouth and melts against me. And every cell in my body screams a resounding yes to both questions.
Clay’s tongue meets mine, and I pull his body against me.
“I see you’ve found the answers to those questions you were asking at Heathens,” Royal comments, slapping me on the back and forcing me to release Clay and catch my balance.
“I guess I did,” I chuckle as I put my arm over Clay’s shoulders, and we start walking toward the entrance to the bar.
Inside, it’s easy to spot the group. Beck jumps up from his spot beside Gage and rushes over to greet us. I can never believe how fast he can move in those three-inch heels. But Gage certainly seems to appreciate the fashion choices Beck makes, as he eyes him appreciatively from behind.
“Honey, what’s your secret to keep your man looking at you like that?” Clay asks Beck with a laugh.
“He knows what I’m wearing under these jeans,” Beck says, turning his back to us and shimmying his ass in our direction.
“It doesn’t look like you could be wearing much of anything.”
“Exactly.” Beck winks.
“So, are you two together now?” Adam asks, eyeing our joined hands, when Clay and I reach the table.
Clay casts a look at me like he thinks I’m suddenly going to freak out about being questioned about our relationship.
“Yeah,” I confirm. “We’ve been dating for a few months now.”
“If you need help locating the prostate, just give me a shout. I can explain everything you need to know,” Royal offers with a smirk.
“He’s very good at it,” Zade affirms with a solemn nod.
Nash shakes his head at his boyfriends and offers me an apologetic smile.
“Please excuse them; they were obviously both raised by wolves.”
Royal and Zade share a look before they both throw their heads back and start to howl in tandem.
Nash looks between his men and starts to laugh, clearly past the point of being able to rein them in.
After that, everyone seems to return to the conversations they were having before Clay and I arrived. I breathe a sigh of relief. That was so much easier than I expected it to be. Not that I thought these guys would grill me. But part of me expected it to be slightly more climactic.
“Why don’t I go grab us each a drink?” I offer and Clay nods.
Now, if coming out to my brothers goes this smoothly, then I’ll be in the clear. I’m not holding my breath.