Micah stared. And blushed. Spike was prepared to sink four years of his life into chemistry because of Micah. Their nightly trysts were incredible, but time and again, Micah was reminded of just how deep Spike’s affections ran. Micah didn’t deserve it.
“Oh,” he said softly.
“Don’t stop seeing him for no good reason,” Kai said. “I mean, I don’t think you would, but I’m just saying. I watched him fall in love with you. Never seen anyone who’s loved like he has.”
Micah gulped. It had only been three weeks since this first began. “I don’t know if I can love him,” Micah said quietly. “He’s so young.”
For a moment, he thought Kai would judge him for that answer. But Kai shrugged. “Can’t help you there. I don’t love anyone.”
That surprised Micah. “Not even Spike?”
He remembered Spike’s brokenness back at the noodle restaurant, Spike saying I hurt, right after the conversation about alpha-alpha marriages.
Kai looked uncomfortable. “He’s my brother.”
“You do everything else with him.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Kai shrugged, glancing away.
“There was once he said... he spent a long time practicing with you,” Micah said hesitantly. “Kisses.”
Kai flushed, but he didn’t deny it. “What about it?”
“Are you jealous? That he wanted that practice because of me?” Micah made himself ask. It wasn’t a nice question. But if he didn’t ask... it would always gnaw on him.
Kai sucked in a deep breath, and didn’t speak for a long moment. When he finally answered, it looked like it cost him to admit, “Sometimes. But I grew up with him. You’re damn fucking important to Spike.”
Micah gulped, his throat tightening. He didn’t want to intrude on the bond between the brothers.
“He loves you too, you know,” he blurted to ease Kai’s pain. “It isn’t just me.” Because why would Kai hurt Spike if he knew?
Kai bit his lip. Eventually, he said, “Yeah, I know.”
Micah’s chest tightened. If you already knew... Then this can’t be easy for you, either. How do I solve this?
At length, Kai said, “I don’t know what I feel about him. I’m leaving Meadowfall. It’s kinda why I’m happy that he’s got you now.”
And Micah’s heart broke for Spike, too.
“You’re really set on playing for the big leagues,” Micah murmured.
“Yeah.” Kai clenched his fists. “I need to prove myself. I need to know that I’m not gonna end up like—like my dad’s ex said I would. I’m not gonna get beaten up again.”
Micah stopped breathing. He wanted to yell at Kai’s dad, and ask What possessed you to let your ex treat your child this way?
But Micah also saw Kai for who he was—past the rough exterior and wariness and violence, there was someone vulnerable inside, someone who would go to great lengths not to get hurt again.
Kai was brave. He was fierce, and protective, and Micah’s heart thumped for him.
“You are worthy,” Micah said quietly. “You know you’ll have a great future in front of you, right?”
“I want to believe that.” Kai smiled crookedly in return, his gaze dropping to Micah’s lips. Did he... want to kiss Micah again? Micah’s lips tingled.
“What if that future includes Spike?” Micah added. “What if a great career doesn’t compare to a life with him?”
“Doubtful.” But there was a flicker of what if in Kai’s gaze, that gave Micah hope.
I won’t push him. But I think Kai will figure out what his path is.
“Back to chemistry,” Micah said. “That’s something I can help you with, at least.”
Kai cracked a genuine smile, and Micah couldn’t help but smile along with him.
* * *
That night, Micah’s leg hurt. There was a storm out—the Meadowfall winters were mild, but cold enough that his scar tissue gnawed at him.
He hobbled into the living room where Kai was, leaning heavily on his walking cane. The moment Kai glimpsed him, he fumbled to stand.
“No, don’t get up,” Micah said. “I’ve got this.”
Under Kai’s watch, he limped painfully over, easing onto the couch. Kai grasped Micah’s arm, then braced his palm under Micah’s ass, transferring Micah carefully onto the floor.
Micah gulped. He’s touching my ass.
“We should pick a better spot,” Kai said, glancing at the coffee table in front of them. “It’s not that great for the mobility-challenged.”
“But it’s my favorite spot.” Micah chuckled, running his fingers through the thick, soft rug. With the couch at his back and the low coffee table in front of him, it was a lot easier to work when he didn’t have to hunch over.
“Fine,” Kai grumbled. A smile tugged on his lips, though, barely-there. As though he found Micah exasperating, but he liked having Micah around, anyway.
Micah’s heart fluttered. I can’t believe I’m feeling this. He already had butterflies in his stomach when he thought about Spike. And now Kai, too?
Kai pulled his hand away, leaving Micah’s ass cold. “Better?”
It would be better if you kept on touching me. Micah’s cheeks warmed. “Yes, thank you.”
Instead of opening the textbook, Kai leaned against the couch. “Your leg hurting?”
“It acts up in the winter sometimes. I feel like an old person.”
“Nah, you’re not old.” Kai hesitated, then reached over, circling Micah’s socked ankle with his fingers. “Okay if I massage?”
Micah glanced up, surprised. “That sounds too good to be true. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Kai shrugged. “Gotta keep my muscles toned, right?”
Micah had been about to ask, Are you doing this only because Spike isn’t here right now? Except Kai’s ears turned pink, and he looked away.
Kai Ventura wasn’t someone Micah would peg as getting flustered easily. But ever since this thing between him, Spike, and Kai had begun, Micah had seen this man blush more times than he could count, and it was... amazing. Adorable.
Spike had been teasing Kai about it, too, only to have Kai’s blush deepen each time.
Micah savored this alpha, his heart warm.
Slowly, Kai peeled off
