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“I don’t,” I half lied. “He made his bed.”

“Yeah, he fucking did. I’m not letting him mess with your life anymore. Don’t let him back in.” Nate gave me a stern look.

I wasn’t stupid enough to let my dad back in. I knew better than that. He was a manipulative con artist with no moral compass and shitty values. He had no familial loyalties, and he only ever thought of himself and what would get him ahead without considering how it impacted anyone else. But there was a part of me that wanted to check in on him from a distance just to make sure he wouldn’t be a danger to us.

“I won’t,” I promised. “You alright?”

Nate nodded. “Yeah, just hate him. I mean it, Dev. Don’t let him in. Nothing good will come of it.”

“I know.” Ididknow. I really did. Which was why I’d keep an eye on him to make sure he stayed away.

“Okay, get. Don’t keep Madd waiting. Sorry about that slip-up.” He cringed. “I just don’t want you to lose Maddox, okay? You guys are… you’re just fucking meant to be or something, so go be with him and make it all right again. I can’t thrive in life if I’m worrying about the kind of fighting you two suck at.”

What a loser. “Your life revolves around the kind of fighting we do?”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “Fists and fucking are your things. Whatever this is, it’s not. You guys suck at the emotional kind of fighting and it’s dragging me down, so go fix it.” He shoved me.

I was already running late, but I’d speed all the way home if I had to. I’d never keep Maddox waiting again.

ThereliefatseeingMaddox back at home was too much for me to bear. He had a smug grin on his face, ready to fuck with me about something, but I ignored it while secretly loving it, and fell right into his chest. I hugged him.

“It feels good to have you back here,” I said against his neck.

He wrapped his arms around me and scoffed. “You’re such a sappy fuck.”

Yeah, I couldn’t deny that.

“I…” He fumbled, sucking at words sometimes. “I really… uh, I just like…” he paused and I laughed. “Fuck you! It just feels good to have you home for once. Fuck you for making me say that.” He shoved me away with a scowl.

I missed that scowl. The one bred from defiance and challenge rather than genuine hurt and heartache. I let my eyes roam his body, and after a second of perusal, they rolled.

Maddox had gained a lot of muscle ever since he started working construction. On top of that, he had a really dark tan, the best t-shirt tan lines I’d ever seen, and a new level of ruggedness to him that made my dick extra hard. He obviously just got home, so he was still dirty and wearing his work clothes—a pair of dark blue utility pants and a bright orange t-shirt.

Seeing him like this made me realize how long it’d actually been since I got home early enough to witness him in his work gear.

“Damn, Madd. That’s really working for ya.” I motioned to everything about the way he looked. “You’re hot as fuck.” And he was mine. All mine.

Maddox groaned at me. “Don’t make me hard or we’ll never talk.” He pointed at the deck, which was about to become our therapy room. “Beer?”

“I’ll get it.” I kissed him and then shoved past him through the door.

“Don’t try that sweet bullshit on me, Devon. I know you better than that,” he shouted from the deck.

Sweet bullshit? I was just getting him a beer. I smirked into the fridge, grabbing two cans, and relaxing because it felt good to be here with him.

Settled on the deck, two beers deep, we weren’t off to the best start. Talking things through rationally had never been a strength in our relationship. Every time Maddox opened his mouth, he either fumbled for words or insulted me. Every time I tried to respond, I either called him an asshole or apologized for something too general. He told me to stop taking all the blame and I told him to stop acting like it wasn’t all my fault.

We hadn’t gotten anywhere.

“Alright, fuck it.” I stood up and set my empty can down. “This ain’t working.”

“So that’s it?” he scoffed. “We’re just going to ignore it?”

No. I’d never ignore anything with him ever again. “No. We’re going to fight, you dumb shit. That’s how we talk best. I’ll beat the answers out of you.”

Maddox stood up and pulled his t-shirt off. Jesus, he didn’t even hesitate. I’m not gonna lie, that dark tan line on the back of his neck… damn, that was hot. “Right here? Now?” He clenched his fists in preparation.

“Always so damn eager to fight,” I chided. “It’s too hot here. Let’s go to the beach.”

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