Page 25 of Phoenix

“Yeah, it was only a misdemeanor. He did four months. No big deal.”

“Think it’ll last with this new one?”

Tor shrugged. “Who knows. He’s as bad as Ty when it comes to commitment.”

“My therapist would probably say we all have mommy issues or daddy issues that led to commitment issues.”

“Those are clinical terms?” Tor teased.

“You know what I mean.” He put his palm over Tor’s chest and squeezed his firm pec. Tor was all lean muscle.

“Maggie’s starting school in August. Can you believe that?”

“I still can’t believe Trav has a kid.” He kissed Tor’s neck. “Did he say anything about Angela?”

“No. I don’t think she’s come around in a long time. Doesn’t want to be a mother, I guess.”

“That’s too bad.”

“Uh-huh. The family’s all pitching in though. That girl’s everyone’s princess.”

“Last time I was home, I went over there. It was like a pink bomb exploded in the trailer.”

Tor chuckled and rubbed his back.

“We were that age when we met,” Jule whispered against his skin.

“I know.” Tor brushed his lips over Jule’s forehead. “I remember everything about that day.”

He cradled the side of Tor’s neck and kissed the bottom of his chin. “Me too.”

“I’m beat but I need a shower before we crash.” Jule tossed their bottles in the recycling bin.

“Same.” Tor flipped off the kitchen light. “I saw your digs when I put my bag down. Shower looked big enough.”

“Since when does that matter?” Jule bumped his hip against Tor. “We squished together in the one at home all the time.”

“True. We didn’t get enough credit for our efficiency.” He snaked his arm around Jule’s hip and rested it on his ass.

“Uh-huh. Efficiency.” He mirrored Tor’s position and squeezed his ass. “That’s why your brothers were banging on the walls and yelling at us to keep it down. We were being too efficient.”

“I am extremely efficient,” Tor rumbled as he tugged Jule into his chest and nibbled on his neck. “Never had the hot water run out before I got the job done.”

Jule laughed and nudged him away. “Keep it in your pants until we get them off.” He pulled his shirt over his head as he walked into his bedroom. “Toss your shit into the hamper with mine. We have a washing machine. I’ll run a load later.” He shoved his jeans and underwear down and then kicked them up into his hand and added them to the hamper before he walked into the bathroom and over to the toilet.

“Your back is ripped.” Tor came over and grazed his hand down Jule’s back.

“Been working out a lot. It’s a healthy way to wear out my body and keep my violent tendencies in check, according to my therapist.”

“Uh huh.” Tor caressed his flank.

“Not as fun as fighting though.”

He chuckled and peppered kisses over Jule’s neck and across his shoulders. “Or fucking.”

“This is getting uncomfortable. Wait ’til I’m done pissing to get me hard.”

Tor laughed and moved away. When Jule finished, he turned toward him and froze. “When’d you get that?” He moved closer and traced his fingers over the letters on Tor’s chest.Loyaltywas scrawled on the left side, over his heart.