26. Henry

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

henry

“Oh, fuck yes. Right there.” I slide into Felix’s body again, marveling at the way his ass clenches around me. We don’t have much time. I’d have preferred it if we did, this first time I’m inside him, but Felix assured me this was just fine.

Finding a free, quiet moment isn’t easy with a nine-month-old. And while he’s been inside me a few more times, this is the first for us this way. Still, it doesn’t lessen a damn thing, sneaking it in quickly in the shower.

The water hits my back as I push into him, his hand on the tile wall as he thrusts back. “There.”

His voice is strained, and my balls ache to finish, but I need him to before I do. I reach between him and the wall, stroking his cock and pleading silently for him to come. When he lets out a hoarse cry moments later, I feel relief wash over me, his cum splattering against the wall when I release inside him over and over again.

I thrust inside him, coating his inner walls with my cum, marking him. Claiming him. And when he turns to kiss me, I own him in that kiss too. I pull out of him, loving it when I see my cum sliding down his leg and turn him in my arms, pulling him into a deep kiss.

We kiss and touch until the water turns cold. Then when we hear Hazel’s cry, we both quickly get out of the shower, drying off hastily, and going to her.

She’s happy when she sees us, though, towels wrapped around our waists with our hair still wet. Felix hands her a bottle, and we get dressed.

I’m still fighting with myself daily, telling myself he isn’t leaving me. But he loves me, and I love him. I know that deep in my heart.

Every day, I trust that more and more. And not just that, he loves Hazel too.

It’s our day off, so we take Hazel down to the shelter to serve lunch and hang out with some of the younger kids. They also have a great program here for foster kids, where they can come after school to a safe space.

There are also counselors available, and I’m not surprised to see Andrew talking to a few of them when we arrive.

Brooks and Colby are here too, which again, not all that surprising. It seems the whole gym staff is all about making the world better. I don’t know how I lucked into this life, but there isn’t a day that goes by I’m not happy I saw that flyer and went to that meeting.

I’ve been talking a little more to Andrew about my past and Maggie, but I haven’t booked a therapy appointment. Not that I could with him, now that I consider him a friend, but he’s assured me he has colleagues he can call for me.

I don’t know why I hold back, except I feel stronger and more complete than I ever have in my life. Yes, I suppose I may be a little traumatized by Maggie leaving Hazel and me behind, but I’m starting to trust Felix on my own.

I’ve assured Andrew and Felix that if I ever start to feel that severe panic again, I’ll let them know, and I’ll get help. Hell, that’s all I ever wanted for Maggie. For her to get help. I’m not against it.

But I think I’ve found what works for me. Friendship with Andrew, who’s all too happy to listen to me vent. And I have Felix, who cares so damn much, it’s impossible not to trust him with anything and everything.

I notice Evan is here and nudge Felix, who looks and is clearly happy to see the kid until he turns, and we both see a new bruise on his arm. “Can’t they get him out of his house?” I ask, fear for him searing my insides.

Felix looks sick and then gestures for me to follow him. I do, and we reach Evan at the same time. “Hey, kiddo,” Felix greets him, and Evan looks happy to see him, although he’s a little spooked.

I get that. It’s scary to believe someone cares about you when no one really has before. But Felix has a way about him, and Evan can’t seem to resist it either. “Hi.”

“You meet my friend Andrew?” Felix asks, nodding at Andrew, who’s busy talking to a few other kids but gives him a nod back.

Evan looks over his shoulder at Andrew, then back to Felix. “Uh, yeah. I didn’t know he was your friend, but he seems nice.”

“He is. He’s a really great person to talk to,” Felix urges, but Evan just looks pale and doesn’t say anything. “Are you back in foster care?”

Evan shakes his head. “N-no.” He looks around, like someone is going to kick him out, jumpy and afraid. I hate it for this kid. It’s not fucking fair. I hold my daughter in my arms, maybe a little tighter as he answers, “I just sometimes come here after school to hang out. They said it was fine.”

Felix nods in calm understanding and places a hand on his shoulder. “That’s good. Really good. Is your dad back?”

Evan, once again, looks startled and takes a step away from us. “I’m fine. I’m totally fine, Felix.”

“Okay,” Felix says carefully, but he’s still backing away. “Wait, okay? I’m sorry. You can call, you know? Anytime.”

Evan nods, but then he turns and darts out the door, leaving us both standing there, staring after him in shock.

“Fuck. I pushed him too hard,” Felix says, and I wrap my arm around his shoulder.

“You just want to help.”

“He doesn’t deserve the life he’s got. It’s not fair.” Anguish coats his words, and I hug him closer.

“No, it’s not. Have a little faith, though, Felix. You’re better at connecting with him than you even realize, and he wants to trust you.”

“That’s what I said too,” Andrew interrupts, no doubt having heard the whole thing.

“I just want to help him now,” Felix says to Andrew, and there’s no doubt he knows exactly how it feels.

“I know.” He turns to me and gives me a sad smile, tickling Hazel’s little socked foot and making her giggle. He turns back to Felix. “It all works out the way it’s supposed to in the end.”

He winks at us and returns to the small group he was with, and I turn to Felix. “That’s true, you know.”

“You believe in fate?” he asks incredulously.

I nod. Though I never did before I met him. “Absolutely.”

He leans in and gives me a quick kiss and then takes his girl from me, and we go on about our day.

Fate was on our side when it comes to our love, and I have to believe fate will be on Evan’s side too.