Page 128 of The Truth of Our Secrets

Their happiness makes me smile.

Madyson and Alec had several heart-to-heart conversations, but it was the one where she took responsibility for breaking his leg that won him over. My therapist says if a blind man trips and breaks your leg, there are two equal truths. He did not intendto do it, but your leg is still broken. That helped mend their relationship.

I’m happy to see blond hair behind him. Von has my undying gratitude. He had to endure not only pain and heartbreak with Alec but the media attention from his viral video. His meme buried the story of my sexuality and divorce. I’ll do anything for him. His tragedy spared me from gossip and speculation.

“Look who I dragged in from Sweden.” Alec flourishes his arms as if Von is a prize on a game show.

Madyson wraps him in one of her bone-crushing hugs and the poor man pats her back, counting the seconds until it’s over.

“Good to see you, man.” I clap him on the back and squeeze his shoulder when Madyson lets him go.

Alec and Emmet do some sort of greeting that requires hands, arms, and ass bumps, which brings a smile to my face.

Emmet

When Alec texted that he and Von would be back in town today, I had an idea. I’m nervous it won’t live up to Madyson making a room for my mom and Jayce’s news that we can finally rid ourselves of Peter.

“Thanks for coming back, ya bastard.” I lift my leg to kick Alec in the ass.

“Emmet, that is precious. Do not kick his ass,” Von says with no inflection and I’m confused if he’s joking or serious.

“Viking, you know my ass can take a beating.” Alec shakes it for him.

“True, but I do not want any accidents.” Von smiles and I get why Alec is so obsessed with him. He’s too uptight for my taste, but he’s easy on the eyes. His formal speech and accent are kinda hot.

Alec feels like my friend since we work so closely, but he and Madyson have history and she’s beyond thrilled that they are back to being besties.

“Happy things worked out.” Jayce fist-bumps Von. They had a shitty year apart.

I asked Alec how he convinced Von to take him back. He said he told Von that he needs Von to break his heart. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but it’s so Alec.

We give them a tour and when no one’s looking, Von slips me the box that holds my future.

Alec asks about Unframed Art, and I give him an update. Then we tell them about Peter and how Shane orchestrated the takedown.

“Speaking of Shane, the guy’s doing me a solid and paying me a referral fee for moving Jayce’s money.”

“It’s all our money,” Jayce reminds me.

“Yeah, what’s the going rate on that? Like a 100K?” Alec raises his eyebrows.

“Nah, not that much. It’s like one percent.”

“Fucking nice, dude! You can pay off your mom’s debt and take me…” Alec pauses when Von clears his throat, “and my God-like tower of Viking, on a vacation.”

“What do you mean? How much is that?” My stomach drops.

“Well, think of it this way.” Jayce pulls me to him. “It will go back into our joint account, so it’s like Shane is paying me my money back.”

We’ve worked through my money issues, but every once in a while, it gets me. Jayce kisses my temple, reminding me how loved I am. My pride stings but I’m grateful.

“Unless you want to watch us fuck, get out.” I steer Alec and Von to the door. Their luggage sits in the hallway, waitingto go home. Everybody needs naked time. They leave and it’s debatable whether they make it to Von’s loft before they tear their clothes off.

“Bed, now,” I command, and Madyson squeals. Jayce’s face splits into a sexy grin.

It only takes seconds for us to get naked and I admire my ink on them. Madyson kept her promise and let me design a tattoo that we all have over our hearts. Since they are very Irish and I’m a little Irish according to ancestry testing, we have a Celtic heart knot. The three continuous arcs symbolize eternity with an unbreakable bond. Each arc has our initials at the point. A heart woven through it isn’t authentic to the traditional knot, but we aren’t traditional. The Celts believed everything of importance came in threes. And the heart ties us together with unending love.

My body seems too small to hold the love in my heart, knowing we’re forever.

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