“C’mon,” Kai growled, stroking down Micah’s back, squeezing his ass.
“Hey, don’t I get a Hello kiss?” Spike grinned.
Kai laughed, grabbing Spike by the nape and kissing him, too. Spike growled, biting down on Kai’s lower lip. Later tonight, when they’d worn Micah out, they’d go on a second round with each other, and maybe a third. That, too, hadn’t changed.
Lenna babbled. Kai hauled her into his arms, twirling with her in a circle. “How’s my favorite daughter?”
“Dada!” Lenna said, kicking her legs.
Kai beamed, then brought her down and hugged her close, their daughter tiny in his arms. Micah watched the way Kai gave Lenna his thumb to hold, and he admired the scattering of bite marks across Kai’s shoulders—most of them from Spike.
Kai had come a long way, too. Sometimes, when Micah left Lenna alone on a video call with Kai, he’d come back to see Kai looking at their daughter, his expression all soft. Or, during the times Kai was home, he’d murmur softly to Lenna, tapping her nose, making funny faces at her so she’d laugh.
“You’re a great dad, you know,” Micah said to Kai and Spike. “Both of you.”
They stared at him, and Kai shrugged, looking away. “I’m just being me.”
Spike snorted. “Yeah, that coming from the guy who didn’t have a dad. Well, that’s me, too. But at least I’m not pretending about it.”
Kai punched Spike’s arm lightly, and Spike punched him back. They wore identical grins on their faces.
“I’m just proud of you,” Micah said.
Their chests swelled, and Spike stepped back, kissing Micah soundly on the lips. Kai just looked at the floor, but he was still smiling.
“Did I mention? I was picked for the NBA draft,” Kai said slowly. “They just announced it today.”
Spike’s eyes grew round. Being drafted into the major league was a big thing. “So, are you gonna accept?”
Kai glanced at Lenna in his arms, then at Spike, and Micah. “Nah. I turned it down.”
Micah had heard Kai speak about the insane wages in the major leagues. Kai had been given the opportunity to command that kind of pay, and he’d declined it. “Why?” Micah asked, out of curiosity.
Kai gave a lopsided smile. “The major league seasons are eight months. G-league is five, and that’s already my limit. I have a family to get home to.”
“Aw, Kai.” Spike’s gaze burned. “I love you so fucking much.”
Micah’s heart thumped for both of them. He couldn’t help the smile splitting his face. “So do I,” Micah said, stepping close to kiss Kai on the shoulder. Kai just grinned at all of them.
On occasion, Micah had wondered if it was the right choice, encouraging Kai to play professionally. But Kai was making his decision now, he was balancing his family and his career in his own way. Most of all, Kai was happy. And Spike encouraged Kai’s decision, too.
Micah was proud of them for it.
* * *
The wedding took place in autumn, when the leaves were a medley of reds and yellows, and the temperatures had mellowed to a faint chill in the dewy mornings.
Pale yellow chairs had been lined up in front of an intricate gazebo by the lake, tied together with lush, royal blue ribbons, and decorated with miniature bouquets. Guests mingled, children laughed, and alphas exchanged shoulder punches.
Micah stood with Spike and Kai, Lenna toddling around in a summer-yellow suit, complete with a tiny shirt and tie.
At fourteen months, she was developing an affinity for walking—most days, she followed Kai, Micah, or Spike around the apartment, curious eyes studying everything they did.
In no time, their baby girl would grow up, and get into more mischief. York had been the same at her age.
“Ready?” Kai murmured, rubbing Micah’s knuckles with his thumb.
“I think Micah’s been ready for this his whole life.” Spike grinned. “We didn’t even spend any time deciding on anything, Micah just told the planner, and boom, it’s all here.”
Micah laughed, his cheeks warming. “I spent a while planning my dream wedding.”
After they’d asked where they should hold the wedding, and Micah had begun to describe the seasons and colors and decorations, Spike and Kai had given him full reign on all the decisions. The look on their faces had been priceless.
“And it’s perfect, right?” Spike asked, looking seriously at him. “Or I’ll hunt down that planner—”
“You’re gonna stay here and make it better,” Kai said, elbowing his brother. “Actually, get him into bed and he’ll have no complaints.”
Micah laughed, shaking his head. “You guys.”
“Yeah, we’re impossible.” Spike grinned, wrapping his arm around Kai’s waist. With his other hand, he pulled Micah close.
Spike and Kai had been a lot more open about their relationship ever since the proposal. Not that most people around them cared, since Kai was no longer studying at the college. With time, the students had forgotten that Spike even had a stepbrother.
“Micah,” someone said behind him.
Levi stood with Cole, giving a small wave. Micah perked up, stepping over to pull them both into a hug.
“I’m so happy for you,” Levi said effusively, his eyes sparkling. He smelled like jasmine and honey. “I’ve always wanted you to find someone. And this is even better—you found two someones.”
“I hope you know that you’re a hundred percent forgiven,” Micah said, meeting Levi’s eyes.
Levi glanced briefly at the scars on Micah’s face, hesitating. That house fire would always remain a painful memory for Micah, Levi, and Cole. Micah would always wear those scars.
But he’d been bonded with Spike and Kai for more than a year, now. Some days, it seemed that all Spike and Kai did was fall deeper in love with Micah, bum leg or otherwise.
“I’m beautiful,” Micah said quietly, smiling. “The scars won’t change that.”
Delight gleamed in Levi’s eyes. He grew tearful, and Cole bowed his head
“Congrats,” Levi whispered in Micah’s ear, hugging him tight.
