Page 50 of My Fixation

Ollie responds by wrapping his arms around Alessia’s neck and planting a noisy kiss on her cheek. She laughs while his grandfather pretends to look offended.

“Nothing for me?”

Ollie considers him for a moment. Then leans over and gives him a kiss too. Just like that, the man’s entire face lights up. Something tightens painfully in my chest. Because no matter how old I get, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being surprised by families that actually love each other.

Everyone settles into the massive living room. Between the couches, armchairs, and various other pieces of furniture scattered throughout the space, there’s more than enough room for everyone. The Murphys fill it easily.

I linger near the edge of the room, suddenly feeling awkward and out of place. Like I’ve accidentally wandered into something I was never supposed to be part of. An intruder pretending to belong.

“I can just go to the bedroom and read while you…” The words barely leave my mouth before Conor cuts me off.

“No.” His answer is immediate. “I want you here.” I open my mouth to argue, but he beats me to it. “It’s a family meeting.”

The words hit me straight in the chest. Family, and he wants me here. Like I belong. Like my presence isn’t being tolerated. The thought is so overwhelming, I don’t know what to do with it.

Before I can even begin to process it, movement catches my attention from the corner of my eye. I turn and freeze. There’s no way. Across the room stands a man I would recognize anywhere. Broad shoulders. Dark hair. Declan.

The man I fought eight months ago. I never knew his last name. Never knew anything about him beyond what happened in that ring. Yet here he is. Standing in Conor’s living room like this is the most normal thing in the world.

Before I can figure out what to say, he starts toward me. Not alone. A much smaller man walks beside him, his hand brushing Declan’s forearm as they approach. The affection between them is obvious.

“Hello.” The smaller man smiles warmly. “I’m Xavier. Declan’s husband.”

The pride in his voice when he says husband makes me blink. Like he’s introducing the most important thing about himself first. He extends his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” I shake it carefully.

“Jaxon.”

“We know.” Xavier’s smile widens. “You’ve become quite the topic of conversation around here.”

Heat immediately crawls up my neck. Wonderful. Before I can die from embarrassment, Declan steps forward. He offers me his hand.

“No hard feelings?” His expression is surprisingly earnest. “I didn’t know you were being forced into any of that.”

For a second, I just stare at his outstretched hand. Eight months ago, we were trying to beat each other unconscious. Now he’s apologizing to me in Conor’s living room. Life is weird. Slowly, I take his hand and shake it.

“No hard feelings.” And surprisingly… I mean it.

Once everyone finds a seat, the room settles into a comfortable sort of chaos. Declan immediately pulls Xavier into his lap as though the man has never heard of chairs. Xavier doesn’t even blink. Clearly, this is normal behavior. The sight makes something warm twist in my chest. The Murphys are an oddly affectionate bunch.

Conor takes my hand before I can retreat to the corner of the room and gently leads me toward an armchair. Not one across the room. One right beside his.

“You’ve met some of them already,” Conor says as everyone gets settled. I glance around the room. There are so many people. “Liam and Finn are my other brothers.”

Both men lift a hand in greeting. “Hey.”

“Nice to finally meet you.”

I nod back, hoping I don’t look as overwhelmed as I feel.

“This is my dad, Kieran.” The older man smiles warmly.

“Good to meet you, son.” The casual endearment catches me off guard. Before I can react, Conor continues.

“And that’s Duncan.” The man seated beside Kieran gives me a nod. The resemblance between him and Declan is impossible to miss. “Duncan is Declan’s dad.” Apparently, giant men run in the family.

“Jaxon, how are you feeling, dear?” Alessia asks once the introductions are finished. The question is simple. Ordinary. It still nearly destroys me.

I have to swallow around the lump that immediately forms in my throat before I can answer. She’s asked me the same question dozens of times over the last week. Every single time, she sounds like she genuinely cares about the answer. Every single time, it catches me off guard. Because she doesn’t have to care.