Page 49 of Guardian
Troy doesn’t seem to realize he’s idly tugging at a strand of Adam’s hair that’s escaped the bun.Neither of them do.
“Yeah, we can help you find a way out of this,” PJ insists.“Brennan is reasonable.There’s got to be some kind of deal we can make.”
Sebastian, who rarely talks to all of us, clears his throat.“I’m sure Simon and I could work something out.”
My throat feels super tight.“That’s… Wow.Thank you.But I’m not going to take money from you guys.Really, I think this is the right thing to do.I can’t keep living in Belle Argo with a guy who hates me and thinks protecting me means controlling me.I’ve thought about other options over and over, but this is the best and fastest way to reach my goal.”
“Honey, we’re just worried about you,” Eve says.She’s currently wearing a giant princess dress.There’s a tiara in her braided hair.This place also does custom wedding gowns.Dean’s daughter looks at her with a wide-open mouth as if Eve is actual royalty.
“I really do appreciate that.”I’m sort of at a loss here.I wasn’t expecting to get so emotional.Until they all came streaming into the store, I wasn’t even expecting anyone else to be here.
“Okay, I’ve got everything I need,” Cornelius says as he levers himself off the floor.“You can take that off when you’re ready.”
Thank God.If I had to stand still any longer, I’m pretty sure I would’ve jumped out of my skin.
“Uh, Rav.”Prince, our newest member, tugs at his lip ring.He looks as out of place as I feel, the way he’s covered in tattoos and perched in a fancy chair with a flute of champagne.“I think what everyone’s trying to say is there’s a chance you’re going to get bought by some shithead on a power trip who gets off on breaking you into little pieces.Not that I can exactly see the future, but I’ve got a real bad feeling that this thing isn’t going to go the way you expect.”
There’s something in my throat.Something so large it’s almost choking me, and I can’t get any words out.I clear my throat until I can breathe again, going over to where I’ve left my backpack on the floor by the floor-to-ceiling mirror.
“That reminds me…” I pull out a stack of papers and start handing them around.I count, making sure I’ve got enough copies for everyone here.A couple of the guys aren’t, but it’ll be all over the group chat, I assume.“Since most of you are here, I should do this now.These are for you guys.In the unlikely event that anything does happen to me.Channing was nice enough to take me to a lawyer’s office yesterday.”I gesture to my perpetually bored security guard, lounging in the back corner of the room.
Michael scans through the short document.He’s the only one actually reading.Everyone else still looks confused.
Until Michael drops his glass.“This is a will.”
Eve gasps.Adam’s mouth drops open.Simon’s face twists into anger.He stands and drops the paper in his boyfriend’s lap before walking out of the room.Dean, he still looks confused.
Every muscle in my neck pulls tight.I try to massage them with my fingers, but it’s no use.
PJ shoots up, face red.“Ravi, what the hell is this shit?”
The air leaves my lungs.I’m the one who did this, but it’s suddenly very heavy.
My eyes are burning.“I know you guys think I’m ignoring the possibility of something bad happening to me, but I’m not.I’ve decided the benefit outweighs the risks, which I’m honestly hoping are really low.Kind of like when I decided to do tandem skydiving for my birthday even though a kid in my class had broken his leg that way.Anyway, uhm, this is for just in case, you know?You guys are the closest thing I have to family.”
“Rav, you shouldn’t be doing this,” Dean says slowly.
“Yeah.”Alexis nods.“It’s so thoughtful, but it’s too much.And if you really think something this bad might happen then what the fuck are you even doing?”She’s leaning an elbow on Troy’s shoulder, wearing, I don’t know, cocktail attire?A tiny black dress.It looks amazing on her.
Then she nudges Troy, who straightens up and adds, “Yeah, Rav.This is fucked.”
“Like I said, it’s just in case.I have car insurance too, but I’ve never been in an accident.Look.”I point to them all.“I don’t know how high the auction’s going to go, so I’ve done it in percentages.Half to animal rescues, food banks, a women’s shelter, and a farm animal sanctuary in Beacon Hill.The rest is up to you guys.Most likely everything’s going to be fine and this is overkill.If it isn’t, though, who else would I want to give the rest of it to?”
Except for Prince, most of us fell in with Brennan because we needed money.And even Prince doesn’t exactly seem to be independently wealthy.
Eve’s the one who moves next, gathering her massive skirt up in her fists and running over to throw her arms around me.She’s sniffling, and a wet drop hits my neck.It’s all I can do to hold it together when the rest follow, resulting in a massive group huddle that causes Cornelius to yell at us all about being careful with the dresses before he gives up and stalks out of the room in a huff.
Alexis is the one who squishes my cheeks in both hands.The way she stands back to regard me with my face in her hands reminds me a little of my mom.“You’re the absolute sweetest, Ravi.I don’t know what else to say.This is terrifying.”
Honestly, why is it still so hard to breathe right now?
I don’t remember the last time anyone hugged me like this.Not for any reason other than to be kind.I’d like to say thank you, but my throat won’t work.Honestly, my legs are wet noodles right now.
“Nothing to say,” I manage.“Just as long as none of you murder me after the auction to get the money.”
“You fucking asshole,” PJ murmurs.
After a few awkward laughs, the huddle slowly breaks apart.Troy and the girls go to change out of their fancy borrowed clothes.On my way to do the same thing, PJ hooks an arm around my shoulders.“Hey, fuck you for this.Anyone hurts you, I’ll kill them myself.”
