Phone clutched in hand, Meik dropped onto the couch. “I can’t do this,” he said. “I really can’t. I’m not...can’t. Can’t. Can’t.”

The couch dipped slightly, and slender arms went around his waist, holding on tight. Turning his head, he kissed Sebastian’s hair and closed his eyes. He smelled of shampoo, still damp from his shower. He wore one of Meik’s shirts, buttoned up and falling right below his bruised ass. The remains of their dinner were scattered on the coffee table, sushi that he’d finally gotten Sebastian to try.

Conversation had led to confession. Meik told Sebastian everything. About Gabe. About him dying. About running away like a coward from the closest thing to a family he’d ever had—his almost parents-in-law. Sebastian gave him quite an earful about that, but he understood why. Meik had had a life and people who loved him before he ran away. Things that Sebastian never had.

He’d finally talked to Sebastian as well. Asked him questions about himself. Questions Sebastian had wanted to answer for so long, that much was clear. He learned about his family, his religion, and how all that had led him to living on the streets for two years. It had taken all of Meik’s strength and Sebastian’s soothing murmuring to stop him from looking them up when he found out about that...torture camp they’d made Sebastian go to. A camp to pray away the demons luring him into attraction to men. Sebastian didn’t want that drama, however. He’d moved on, and he was hardheaded. He wasn’t going to let Meik win that argument. Sebastian’s hardheadedness did pay off sometimes. He’d gotten together with Lillie—who apparently liked him more than she liked Meik by now—and managed to track down Gabe’s mother’s phone number. She’d texted him the information while they ate. Sebastian told him to call. Told him he had to call.

“I’ve never taken you for a scaredy-cat,” Sebastian murmured, head against his shoulder. “I thought you were the man who could do anything.”

Meik offered a weak smile. “With my dick. I can do anything with my dick. It was a come on,” he protested.

“Oh God,” Sebastian chuckled while his long fingers drew circles on Meik’s thigh. “Do it. This is something you need. So..suck it up...”

Meik pouted.

“...and I’ll suck you up.”

That was hard to pass on. “Fine. You’re right.”

“Always am.” Sebastian smirked, placing a kiss on his neck.

Meik squeezed Sebastian’s ass for comfort, dialing the number. Resting it against his ear, he tugged Sebastian closer and shut his eyes. He felt dizzy. Terrified. Heart beating in his throat.

The phone rang only twice, and then a pleasant, too familiar female voice answered. “Hello?”

“Uh...hi,” Meik said, nails digging into Sebastian’s skin. “This is M-Meik. Meik Lennen.”

A pregnant pause and Meik nearly passed out from holding his breath.

“Oh, my God…” Her voice shook. “Meik. It’s been...God, it’s been...ten years.”

“Yes...It’s been a long time. Not since...the funeral,” Meik whispered.

“I know,” she muttered. “How have you been?”

“Oh...well, that’s a long story.”

“I’ve got time.”