Maksim searched through the junk drawer in the kitchen, looking for the scissors. He froze and stared down at the mess of Marshall and his things combined. They were living together. Maksim had no clue how it happened. He’d turned in his resignation letter, and his apartment was gone in the blink of an eye. Maksim called to let Marshall know his apartment sold, Marshall said they’d find a place for his stuff, and boom. Maksim couldn’t find his scissors in a drawer filled with their stuff. Nothing was Marshall’s or his any longer. It was theirs. Sometimes the knowledge hit Maksim at the oddest times. It wasn’t shock or fear that froze Maksim in his hunt; it was wonderment. He’d never pictured sharing his life with anyone. He couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“The infamous junk drawer,” Michael said, appearing from nowhere and carrying catalogs. “You’ll never find anything in there.”

Maksim flashed Marshall’s twin a smile. “Especially since there’s twice as much junk now that I’m living here.” He leaned over and kissed Michael on the cheek. “I didn’t know you were coming by today.”

Michael flashed the catalogs he held Maksim’s way. “Yeah, this is the day Marshall and I spend every year, picking out what we’ll send Mom and Dad for gifts this year. One day scheduling orders, and we’re done with our familial duties until next year.”

That was one of the most depressing things Maksim had ever heard. He kept it to himself. “Marshall is downstairs, studying game clips. Do you want anything to drink? I’ll be down there in a minute.”

Michael shook his head and opened the fridge. “I can get it. Go back to your hunt. You don’t need to wait on me. Marsh and I have never been guests in each other’s home.” He froze and met Maksim’s stare, as if his own words registered a second too late. “Wait. This is your home too now, and I just barged in without thinking. Would you like me to knock next time? If the door is locked, I usually do, but it was unlocked, so I assumed Marsh left it open for me. Now I’m realizing I just invaded your home and I feel like an ass.”

Michael’s rambling had Maksim’s smile out of his control. There were moments—like now—when it was more than obvious Michael was Marshall’s twin in more than looks. “Nothing has changed. This is still your second home. Come and go as it pleases you. Raid the fridge. Stay if you’d like. You are Marshall’s twin. We love you.”

Michael’s smile let him know he’d said the right thing. Not that there was any other option. Marshall might not seem to mind the fact that Michael was all the real family he had, but Maksim minded. Sometimes it bugged the shit out of him that he was a trophy child, as Marshall put it. Other times, Maksim wondered if it was for the best. After all, he wasn’t sure, if he was Marshall’s parent, if he’d be the man he’d choose for Marshall. Not that it mattered. Maksim was the man who loved him. The man who’d love him until he died. Maksim’s chest ached. He needed Marshall’s kisses. He gave up on his search and hit the stairs. Nothing would be right again until Marshall’s lips brushed his.

Michael glanced up as Maksim came into view. He smiled before going back to flipping through his catalog. Maksim moved in behind Marshall. His fingers brushed through the back of the man’s hair before he thought about it. He tightened his hold and pulled, tilting Marshall’s head back. He captured the man’s lips. Maksim didn’t consider his action. His need to taste Marshall eclipsed all thought. As their lips met, Maksim realized something huge. It was the first time Marshall ever kissed him in front of Michael. It didn’t matter Michael already knew they were together and Maksim had moved in. Marshall had never kissed him with his brother as witness. Maksim was unprepared for the impact on his heart. He wasn’t a secret. Marshall wasn’t ashamed. They were a real couple. He was in love.

Maksim had to pull away to catch his breath. He’d never been so instantly winded. Michael was watching them and smiling.

Marshall scooted to the edge of the couch, making room for Maksim to climb in behind him. Maksim didn’t hesitate straddling the man’s back and pressing his lips between his shoulder blades. He stayed like that for longer than he cared to admit, inhaling Marshall’s scent. The long-sleeve tight t-shirt Marshall wore kept Maksim from touching his skin the way he wanted. This was enough. He’d take it.

“I can’t stop smiling,” Michael said. His expression matched his claim. “Seeing the two of you together makes my day.”

“Where’s your husband?” Marshall asked, ignoring Michael’s statement.

“Off-season practice with some of his buddies,” Michael said, sounding sad. Maksim felt a moment of connection with Michael. The man sounded how Maksim felt every time Marshall was out of his sight.

“What do you think about this for Dad?” Marshall asked, flashing the catalog Michael’s way. “Last I heard, he was working on his golf skills.”

Michael eyed the page. They were so matter of fact—like it mattered not at all that Marshall had heard through the grapevine his dad played golf and had never personally witnessed it. Michael shrugged. “Looks good to me. Maybe that along with a gold membership to White Plains Golf resort.”

“That’s good. I like that idea,” Marshall said, flipping the page.

Michael turned some more as well. “By the way, Gavin says the rumors have started about you two.”

Maksim’s heart stopped. “What?”

Michael didn’t look up. “Yeah. It’s sort of like, is he or isn’t he? Are they? That sort of thing.”

Maksim felt Marshall shrug. “Let them speculate. Here’s something else.”

Michael glanced over and looked at Marshall’s latest suggestion. “We got Mom that two years ago.”

“Oh yeah.” Marshall went back to his search.

Maksim still couldn’t breathe. “I don’t want to hurt your career.” Maksim heard the soft confession as if it came from someone else.

Marshall glanced over his shoulder. “The only thing that would hurt me is losing you, so hush. Grab a catalog and get to work. This could take a while,”

Maksim bit his bottom lip and picked up a magazine. He wanted to argue. The last thing Maksim wanted was to ruin everything Marshall worked to achieve. He loved his man child too much for that. Maksim couldn’t focus on the pages. He dropped the book. “Marsh—”

“I swear to god I will spank you if you say a goddamn thing that leads me to believe you have any intention of sabotaging our relationship because of some fucking true rumors.” Marshall delivered his warning without once taking a breath or looking Maksim’s way.

Maksim fought against his smile and lost. Michael caught his eye. The man’s smile matched the way Maksim’s felt. Michael winked before getting back to work. A few minutes and suggestions passed before Michael spoke up again. “I have another bit of news. How do you feel about being called Uncle Marsh?”

Maksim felt Marshall tense. His head turned Michael’s way. Michael’s gaze never wavered from his magazine, but the way he bit his bottom lip and smiled said it all. Marshall slapped the catalog from Michael’s hands, leaving the man no other choice but to look at him. “Spill.”

A smile exploded across Michael’s face. “Mara’s pregnant. She’s agreed to be our surrogate. In about six months, you’ll be an uncle.”

Marshall flew to his feet and pulled Michael to his. “Shut the fuck up,” he roared as he lifted Michael to his feet in a bear hug. “Oh my god. I can’t believe it. Never in a million years did I think our family would grow beyond you and me. Wow.”

“Congratulations,” Maksim said, feeling an odd pang of jealousy. He’d never considered the life Michael so easily embraced.

Michael flashed him a quick grin before focusing on Marshall once more. “Gavin and I were wondering if you’d be our child’s godfather? I know it’s a huge thing to ask,” Michael said, rushing out the words before Marshall could respond. “It’s just that our parents aren’t an option. Coach would do it in a heartbeat, but Gavin’s mom hasn’t spoken to him since he came out, and—well—you’re kind of perfect for the job. I always thought you’d make one of those great, fun dads. Of course, we hope it isn’t a role that ever gets called in, but the last thing we want is there to not be a plan in place.” Michael finally stopped rambling. He seemed to hold his breath.

Marshall glanced Maksim’s way. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s none of my business,” Maksim shot back without needing to think.

A line appeared between Marshall’s eyebrows. “Of course it is. If there’s any chance at all that a kid might come to live with us, that’s your business.”

Maksim’s brain stuttered to a stop. Goddamn. They’d never felt more real. Marshall wasn’t playing house. He’d moved Maksim in with every intention of permanence and they’d never even discussed it. Their love just seemed to eclipse all sense of reason.

“I’ll let y’all think about it and talk it over. Just let me know sometime in the next six months,” Michael said, reclaiming his seat.

Maksim didn’t need to think about it. Chances were good that role would never get called in, but Marshall needed a family. Right now, all the man had was a set of shitty parents and a twin with a life of his own. This was one more tie. “It’s fine with me,” Maksim said quick before the topic slipped away.

Michael looked hopeful.

Marshall shook his head, as if in disbelief of how quickly things had moved. “Then I’d love to.”

Michael popped back to his feet. “I think this calls for a round of beers and I need to call Gavin.”

Maksim watched the man disappear up the steps. Marshall dropped to his knees between Maksim’s and captured his lips before he had time to guess at his intentions. He had no idea how long their lips clung in the sweetest kiss they’d ever shared. All Maksim knew was he wanted all the silent promises Marshall made him with nothing more than the brushing of lips.

“The two of you are just so damn adorable,” Michael said, reappearing with three beers in hand.

Marshall pulled away and flashed his brother a smile. He pretended to flip his hair. “What do you mean? I’m fucking adorable all the time. I’m like a baby squirrel on a hunt for his first nut.”

An unexpected loud snort escaped Maksim. He shoved Marshall’s shoulder, but the man didn’t budge. “You’re a fucking idiot,” Maksim said with laughter heavy in his voice.

“Maybe,” Marshall said, plopping down on his butt between Maksim’s knees and accepting the beer Michael fetched him.

Maksim accepted his as well. He took a swig before pressing his lips to the shell of Marshall’s ear. “You’re my fucking idiot, and I love you.” He watched Marshall’s profile change. The shape of his cheek proved how big his smile grew. Marshall’s happiness meant everything to Maksim. It was possible they’d never have all the things Michael and Gavin had. They’d probably never get married. He’d never thought about kids, but—most likely—that wasn’t in the cards for them. Hell, Marshall might never publicly come out. Maksim was fine with what they had, because he had Marshall’s heart. No other man on the planet could claim as much. He was content.