Page 84 of Psychotic Nightmares

“I swear to God, I thought I broke you for real.” Julian sighs.

“I don’t think I can get more broken than I already am.” They both give me stern looks. “And please can I take my damn shoes off now?”

Twenty-Four

Julian

Waking up in my bed with two people instead of one was not on my bucket list of things to do in the new year, but fuck me, I wouldn’t change a thing. I always thought that if I ever got Grace I would have her to myself, yet sharing her with my best friend, my brother, is a much fucking better option.

Fuck, watching her get pleasured by Dante turned me the fuck on.

I need to see it again. Multiple times a day for the rest of my short sadistic life.

We barely got her to eat last night, she kept falling asleep at the table, so when we finally got her to bed, she conked out immediately laying on my bare chest. Dante snuggled up behind her, his face in her neck.

And that's the position I woke up in. I really don’t wanna leave. But if I don’t text my mother soon wishing her a happy new year, she will be calling. And trust me when I say that if I don’t call her back within a few minutes, she will send my father. And that’s someone I wouldn’t want to introduce to Grace yet.

Or ever.

If I could hide my family away from her I would, but she’s been big on family lately. It’s only natural for her to be curious about mine one day.

As if on cue, my phone starts to vibrate from where it lays in my jeans pocket on the floor. Grace starts stirring against me.

“Sorry, treasure.” I lift her off me, shuffle out of bed, and wrap Dante's arm tighter around her. If I can’t hold her while she sleeps, he can do it for me.Lucky bastard.

“Hi, mum.” I whisper, sneaking out of the room in just my boxers.

“Don’thi mumme.” She sounds pissed and I internally wince, what have I done to upset her now? “Why didn’t you tell me you have a girlfriend?”

Pea! I swear that woman can’t keep her mouth shut!

“It’s a new relationship.” I halflie. I mean, is it new? I’ve classed the last three years as us being together, but has she?

“Uh-huh, so when are you gonna bring her to see us?” I walk into the kitchen area and flick on the kettle. “Has she met your father yet?”

“No.”

“J, you can’t hide him forever. He loves you so much.”

“He has a funny way of showing it.” I take a cup from the cupboard and throw in a teabag, I really don’t want to have this conversation right now.

“He’s not perfect, J, I know that. But he’s trying.”

“Is he?” I scoff. The last time my father tried to do anything nice for me was when he helped Bull out with the twins.

I guess he is trying, I supposed I best do too.

“Yeah, he’s on a plane to come be with us now.”Wow, he actually took some time away from his precious work to spend time with his wife.“Please make an effort too.”

“I’ll try.” I hate disappointing my mum. I hear shuffling coming down the hall and smile. I’d recognise those tiny tired footfalls anywhere. “How’s your party?” I ask, taking the subject away from daddy dearest.

“Just amazing!” Mum laughs. “We have had over twenty people cancel because they want to go and see the fireworks live.” I chuckle at her tutting and wrap my arm around a yawning Grace as she flops her body against mine. Mum hates live fireworks, says they’re too loud and the place is too crowded. “I wish you were here to celebrate with us.” She sighs.

“Maybe next year.” I say maybe, but if mum asks, I would gladly go.

“Ohh, really!” She squeals, the alcohol obviously hitting. “Bring the others and your girlfriend too!” Grace giggles at me having to pull the phone away from my ear at mum's loudness. “OMG,”yes she actually says O M G,“is that her with you now. Let me speak to her.”

“Mum…”