Page 84 of Misconduct Zone

“Is there something wrong with me? I shut my phone off because I’m afraid of what my family will say, but there are a ton of strangers who could shit on us too.”

“Only the people we care about can truly hurt us. If Bob from Florida hates us, we don’t care. But when the people who society says are supposed to love us don’t love us in a way that feels real or unconditional, it hurts.” I tuck his head under my chin.

“That’s it. I’ve always felt that my family’s love came with conditions. And it still does. It depends on how much money and fame I can provide. And I don’t want to do that anymore because whatever I do is never enough.” His lips move against my collarbone.

“So you never feel their love.” I say the unspoken part out loud and he nods. “I don’t have magic words to fix it. But I promise you, every single day of my life, I will profess my love until you believe it.”

“I believe you.” His fingers twine in my hair.

“That you believe it 24/7 for 365 days a year with no doubts.”

“That kind of perfection isn’t achievable.” He brackets my head between his elbows.

“Watch me,” I dare him, flipping him under me and kissing my way down his body.

I take him apart with my teeth until he’s screaming my name so loud the fucking world can hear him.

Chapter 41

Dylon

“What a difference a year makes,” I say to Lars, leaning against the elevator rail.

“Yeah, now I’m going to have to dodge my teammates playing kissy face,” Caleb quips.

“Don’t hate on the lovebirds.” Mason punches him. “He’s just jealous,” he stage-whispers.

“I’m not jealous,” Caleb protests as Lars pulls me by the belt loops toward him.

“What did you guys bring this year?” Lars nods to the bag in Caleb’s hand.

“Not flowers. I thought Patrik was gonna rip my head off last year. You guys didn’t flip out when I brought flowers.” Caleb swings the bag up by the handles and catches it in his hands.

“Patrik’s not American, and you brought his boyfriend flowers,” Lars says matter-of-factly.

Caleb throws an arm up. “He didn’t tell us that until months later.”

“Yeah, but you suspected and tried to stir up trouble,” Mason teases him.

He turns red and mumbles, “Did not.”

“Is it a secret? Are you trying to make trouble? Cuz you know Trevor will not tolerate it.” I try to grab the bag.

“Trevy loves me. And just for that, I’m not telling you what’s in here.” Caleb holds it close to his chest.

“It’s Trevor’s favorite chocolates.” Mason snickers.

“What did you bring for Patrik?” Lars asks.

“Happy husband, happy life.” Caleb steps out of the elevator.

Lars buries his face in my hair and mutters, “Liska will not be happy Baby Benz is feeding his man.”

“Yep. Let’s go watch the show.” We enter their apartment with our appetizer like civilized people and set it on the large kitchen island before going into the living room.

“The city looks so cool from up here,” Caleb says to no one in particular.

Patrik scowls at the package of dark chocolate as if it has personally wronged him, and then that gaze lands on Caleb’s back. But sadly, no snarky comments.

---