Blaze immediately deflated before his eyes. “Goddamn it, baby. I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve—” He ran his hand through his hair, looking ready to tear it out. Blaze blew out a sigh. “Okay. This is ridiculous. I have no right to be upset. For fuck’s sake, it’s only been two weeks and I’m acting like you abandoned me.Let’s start again. Hey, sexy. I miss you like crazy. I love you so, so fucking much and I can’t wait to come home.”
A smile tried tugging at the corners of his mouth. They were both being ridiculous, really. Blaze was right. It had been two weeks. German also acted as if Blaze had run out on him, leaving him a single father for a year while he partied with no care. Honestly, he felt a little dumb now. “I love you too. Seven more sleeps and you’ll be here.”
“Fuck. That just reminded me that next Saturday is when I have to attend the Glam Gala. There’s no way you can go with me now. That fucking sucks, dude. I hate charity events. Like I don’t mind just handing over some money, but no. Appearances draw interest or what the fuck ever. You were supposed to be at my side, looking way sexier than me and giving me a rest from all the eyes constantly watching.”
German shook his head at Blaze’s overreaction. “It’s one night. Plus, the gala is only a two-hour drive from here. When it’s over, you can drive straight home. God, I can’t fucking wait for that moment. I didn’t know I could miss someone so much. Why is this so much harder than it should be? It really has only been two weeks. Goddamn. What’s wrong with us?”
Blaze laughed. “I don’t know. That might be a long list. I guess it’s just all the stress of reality at a time that should be for us, you know? We picked the roughest time to fall in love.” He pulled a face. “You’re right. Whatiswrong with us? Apparently, between the two of us, we don’t have much good sense.”
German chuckled. Love swelled inside him. “It’s this. When we’re together, you’re so much my person, if that makes sense? You make me laugh and melt. Every time you smile or get all jokey, you just own me. When I go a day without you, everything is all maschugana.”
“Hmm. Jokey and maschugana. I see you’ve chosen gibberish to describe the situation.”
German laughed again. “God, I really can’t wait to marry you.”
Blaze’s smile turned sweet. “For real, you just made my night. Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Probably.”
“Cool. I’ll tell you again later.”
He really was the light of German’s life. Everything felt too serious and harder without Blaze filling his life with smiles and laughter. Joy. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I hope you know that.”
“Probably, but I know you’ll tell me again later.”
German couldn’t stop smiling. All the weight lifted from his shoulders. They would be okay. He could make it without Blaze for seven more days. The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous he felt for being upset in the first place. He had been stressed and scared. God, he was so scared he might fail Ben.Everyone had so easily turned to him in their time of need, and it was so much pressure. He realized now how much Blaze not being there had forced him to second-guess everything. Ben was Blaze’s nephew. German was practically a stranger to him. Every decision would be easier if Blaze was there to back him up, giving some sort of family approval, he supposed. But he could do this. He would.
Blaze made a sexy sound that snapped German straight out of thought. “Damn, beautiful. You’re really going to be an amazing dad. How could any kid not love you?”
German’s throat swelled. Like always, Blaze knew exactly what to say to save him. It was no wonder German was so lost without him. How in the hell had that happened?
With his phone between his hands and resting on his lap, Blaze stared at a painting hanging over a bed. Hunting dogs chased each other in the image. He didn’t even know who lived here. A weight landed on his shoulders. German was right to be angry with him, and not for the reasons German stated. Well, those too, but more.
Diesel poked his head in the door. “There you are.” He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “You can’t be hiding from me like this, dude. I’ve been searching everywhere for you. You’re my responsibility, and I didn’t know if—” Diesel stopped cold. He moved to the end of the bed and sat. His knees brushed Blaze’s. He leaned forward and set his hands on Blaze’s knees. “Tell me what happened.”
Blaze had spent Diesel’s entire lecture staring at his lap. At the obvious concern in Diesel’s voice, Blaze squared his shoulders as he met Diesel’s stare. “Nothing. I’m good.” He managed the fakest smile he had ever achieved.
Diesel shook head. “Don’t do that. I’ve been with you too long for you to try that shit. What’s going on?”
Blaze didn’t know why he answered. He simply swallowed past the growing lump in his throat and then opened his mouth. “I had a fight with German.”
“Okay. Do you want to talk about it?” Diesel was always so fucking calm. Maybe that was why Blaze didn’t shut down the conversation.
Blaze motioned wildly around him. “This. I’m here, doing this. Meanwhile, he gave up everything for my nephew. Apparently, this is how I repay him.”
Diesel nodded. “To be fair, doing things like this is one of the things that keeps you popular.”
He kind of loved that Diesel was always on his side, even when he was wrong. This was one of those times he shouldn’t. “No. Not in this case. I’ve been so fucking angry at my sister for so many years and I’m glad she’s getting help. But she took all of German away from me, and I’m having a very adult version of a temper tantrum. I didn’t even realize that’s what I was doing until I heard the hurt in his voice. For real, Diesel, I don’t deserve him. He didn’t hesitate to step up, even knowing Iwouldn’t be there to help. My mom is furious with him and on a rampage because he won’t go against Dara’s wishes and bring Ben to her. Now I’m sitting here high like Dara always is, and what the fuck is wrong with me?”
Diesel shrugged. “You’re learning as you go.”
Blaze wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. “That’s the thing. I shouldn’t be. Before him, I can’t even describe how miserable I had become, even with all this.” He motioned wildly again. “Then I met him, and I realized why I couldn’t stand my life. He is a peace and comfort I’ve never had. So why would I put everything at risk for a stupid party? Who even lives here?”
“Yeah, I have no clue.”
Blaze barked out a laugh at Diesel’s tone.
Diesel immediately returned to being serious. “German is a steady person. He won’t end things over this one mistake. Just do better next time.”
