Chapter 22 #2
“Junie, sweetheart, what’s going on? Your mother is very upset.
” “I know, Dad. But I sent you that photo because I wanted you both to know that I’m okay.
I’m in love, with two great guys who take care of me.
So you can stop worrying.” “But June, this is—” My dad paused, struggling for words.
“This is very unconventional. Have you thought this through? What about your career? Your reputation? What will people think?” Heat flared in my chest, not quite anger but something close to it.
“Dad, I’m twenty-eight years old. I have a master’s degree from Stanford.
I’m a successful engineer at a major tech company.
I can make my own decisions about my personal life without worrying about what strangers think.
” “We’re concerned about you,” my mom interjected, now on speakerphone.
I felt Xavier tense beside me, his jaw tightening.
I squeezed his hand harder, telling him to let me handle this.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm and logical even as my heart raced.
“I appreciate your concern, Mom, but you need to hear me out. These men—they’ve done more to support me than anyone except you and Dad.
When I had a panic attack at work three weeks ago because of the pressure from the board meeting, Xavier raced to work to sit with me.
He didn’t try to fix it or tell me I was overreacting.
He just stayed.” “June—” my mom tried to interrupt, but I kept going.
“And Milo—he helped me prep for my presentation on the motor redesign. He sat through hours of me practicing, gave me feedback, helped me organize my thoughts when I was spiraling. He made sure I ate when I forgot because I was too focused on work. They take care of me, Mom. They see me—not just the parts that are easy or convenient, but all of me.” There was silence on the other end.
I could picture my parents in their kitchen, my mom gripping the phone too tightly, my dad hovering nearby with that worried crease between his eyebrows.
“But June,” my dad said carefully, “this is such an unusual arrangement. Have you considered the complications? What if one of them wants something different later? What if—” “What if I get hurt?” I finished for him.
“Dad, any relationship comes with that risk. But I’d rather take that risk with two people who make me happy than play it safe and be alone.
” I paused, feeling Xavier’s thumb stroking the back of my hand, Milo’s steady presence at my back.
“You need to trust me. Both of you. I know you love me and want to protect me, but lately you’ve been taking your worries too far.
” “Too far?” My mom’s voice rose slightly.
“June, we’re your parents. We’re supposed to worry. ”
“There’s a difference between healthy concern and trying to control my life,” I said, surprised by how steady my voice remained.
“You’ve called me seventeen times in the last two weeks.
You’ve questioned every decision I’ve made since I moved out—my job, my car, where I live, who I spend time with.
It’s too much.” I heard my mom make a small sound, somewhere between hurt and protest. My dad cleared his throat.
“We didn’t realize,” he said quietly. “We were just—you’re our daughter, Junie.
And after your diagnosis, after seeing how hard things were for you growing up, we just wanted to make sure—” “I know,” I interrupted, more gently now.
“I know you worry because you care. And I appreciate you so much for that. But I’m not a child anymore, Dad.
I’ve learned coping mechanisms. I have support systems. I have Milo and Xavier.
” My mother was quiet for a long moment.
“Do you… think we could meet them some time?” “Of course. And Milo’s mom says she’d love to meet you.
Maybe you can come out and visit? I want a fun relationship with you guys, not a stressful one.
” “Okay, honey. We’ll try,” my mom said.
“It’s hard not to worry, though.” “I know. But trying is all I ask for.” “We love you, sweetheart. We didn’t mean to add to your stress,” my dad added.
“I love you, too,” I said. “But right now? I’m going to go for a…
have some fun with my boyfriends.” I hung up, and Xavier smirked at me.
“Didn’t want to tell them about the motorcycles, huh? ”
“They said they’d try to worry less. I’m not pushing it.
” “Good call,” Milo said, chuckling. There was a roar of motorcycles coming down the road, and Milo reached out and pulled us into a group hug, with Milo at my back and Xavier flush against my chest, creating a protective sandwich with me in the middle.
The heat of their bodies surrounded me, Xavier’s chest solid against my front, Milo’s warmth pressed to my back.
It wasn’t sexual, exactly—more like a declaration, a unified front.
“Better than any weighted blanket,” I whispered, and Milo laughed, tightening the hug.
A group of bikers pulled up, and I recognized Dani as she pulled off her helmet and grinned at us.
“Fuck, that’s hot.” “We don’t do it to make other people hot,” Xavier said. “We do it because we love each other.”
I felt Milo melt against my back, a small tremor running through him at Xavier’s public declaration. Xavier, who had always kept his feelings locked behind walls of sarcasm and deflection, was openly claiming us, openly saying the word “love” where anyone could hear.
The other bikers shifted, some nodding with approval, others looking away. Dani held up her hands in a gesture of surrender. “No offense meant,” she said. “I just think it’s cool you’re being open about it.”
“Agreed,” Vince said, then turned and headed back to his bike, the others following.
As they walked away, Milo’s arms tightened around my waist, his lips finding the sensitive spot just below my ear. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Both of you. So much.”
Xavier’s hand came up to cup my face, his thumb tracing my bottom lip with a tenderness that still surprised me. “What he said,” he murmured, the corner of his mouth lifting in that half-smile that always made my heart skip. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said, the words simple but heavy with meaning. “Both of you. Always.”