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“I swear to God, I’m going to actually spank you. I am spending the whole day here in bed with you. We’re gonna eat cake and watch Vincenzo—” He gave a pornographic moan. “Because, you know, Song Joong-Ki is so fucking hot. Then we’re going to order all the apps from the Cheesecake Factory and wash them down with the champagne that’s been in the fridge forever. Okay?”
“Yeah,” Zane said, blinking back tears. “Yeah, okay.”
“Good,” Felix said, still glowering at him. “Spending time doing nothing with you is never a waste, Zaney. It’s literally my second favorite thing to do with you.”
“Second favorite?” Zane asked, arching a brow.
“Mm, we just did my first favorite,” he said, breaking off a bite-sized piece of cake and feeding it to Zane. “Are you comfy like this?”
Zane frowned, thinking about it for a minute before he shook his head.
“Let’s take a shower first and then go do all this in the spare room on clean sheets. Okay?”
“Sure, baby,” Felix said, carefully replacing the cake on the side table before standing and pulling Zane with him.
They didn’t speak again until they were both standing under the shower, scalding water sluicing over their muscles from the three shower heads directed at them.
They took turns washing each other’s bodies, shampooing and conditioning each other’s hair before jerking each other off one more time.
Just as Zane turned the water off, Felix grabbed him and pressed him against the heated tile.
“Zaney?”
“Yeah?”
“Your mom is an evil slut-face, cunt-bag whore,” Felix said.
Zane barked out a surprised laugh. “Yeah, I know.”
Felix kissed his forehead. “But you…you’re the loveliest person I know. Please, don’t let her ruin your birthday for you. She doesn’t exist in this world we’ve created. She’s not one of us. She’s not your family any more than Noah’s mom is his. We’re your family, and we all love you.”
Zane blinked rapidly, tears stinging his eyes. “Don’t make me cry now.”
Felix rubbed his thumbs under Zane’s eyes, catching his tears. “I’m not trying to make you cry. I just want you to know that you have a huge family who loves you and sees value in you. The only reason Beverly is still alive is because she did us the favor of actually giving birth to you.”
Zane sniffled. “Shut up,” he whispered.
Felix grinned. “But one day, she’s going to overplay her hand, and Thomas is going to let Asa and Avi rip her spine out like that finishing move in Mortal Kombat.”
Zane hugged Felix, letting his head rest on his shoulder. “So, now, you’re saying that violence is the answer?”
Felix scoffed. “When it comes to her? Violence is the only answer.”
“Love you, Lix.”
“Love you, too, Zaney. Happy birthday.”
Zane waited for the dread to pierce him at the words, but there was nothing. Just this warm, fuzzy feeling.
Huh.
“Let’s go eat cake naked in bed.”
“I’ll get the cake.”
Zane grinned. “I’ll get the champagne.”
The family room was deceptively cozy, tucked within the sprawl of their penthouse apartment. Christmas decorations were everywhere—lights strung over every surface, glittering ornaments reflecting the flicker of the fireplace. The tree stood tall in the corner, its white and gold theme elegant but still managing to feel warm.
