State lines
All the papers were in order. They had sold Nicky's house and now owned an apartment, 10 minutes away from university. It had 4 rooms, one for each brother and another that Nicky had appropriated. It had the necessary furniture, they would buy more things according to their needs. With the help of Neil's uncle they had gotten the judge's approval. Andrew asked Neil for this favor, as he feared that his and Aaron's criminal record would affect the final decision.
Everything was ready, all that was left was for Ashton to come live with them.
—
Aaron was in Katelyn's room. They were lying in her bed watching a movie.
-Don't worry, everything will be fine, I'm here with you for whatever you need.- the girl said, noticing that Aaron felt stressed by the arrival of his new brother.
-I know, I just can't stop thinking about it- he got up and supported his back against the wall.- I'm sorry to always get into my family troubles, it's not fair for you to have to live with all my misfortunes.
-Stop blaming yourself for everything Aaron. I decide to be with you, I don't care about the rest. Besides, now we can be together freely, which means that you will have to put up with me inside and outside these four walls.- She approaches him and gives him a kiss.- I love you.
"I love you too" says Aaron, giving her another kiss.
—
Andrew took off Neil's shirt and started kissing his chest. He reached for his nipples, and bit down on them.
-Aaa..Drew- they were the most sensitive part of him. While the redhead moaned, the other lowered his bites down his body. Neil put his hand into Andrew's hair, gripping it tightly, unaware of everything that was surging around him. He could only think of Andrew. His moans were getting louder.
Suddenly the door opened.
-Shit! -Kevin blurted out as he entered- why the hell don't you lock the door?-He said as Andrew separated from Neil. Neil blushed, his chest was exposed full of bite marks. That Kevin saw his scars didn't matter so much to him, he was the second person who had seen them the most, so he was used to it. But for him to see Andrew's marks was something else, he hurried to put on a T-shirt.
"Jealous?" Andrew asked jokingly, but Kevin didn't answer and his face turned even redder. Andrew noticed this and instead of getting angry, he felt satisfied.
Kevin cleared his throat and headed for his bed. - This is not even your bedroom anymore. You have a new apartment where you can mess around.
"Are you throwing me out?" He approached Kevin and grabbed his chin so that he would look into his eyes.
"No," he said, almost whispering.
"Good," Andrew said, touching his lips to his thumb, withdrawing it once he felt like Kevin had practically stopped breathing. Neil was looking at them blushing from the bed. Andrew hid a smile, and left the room without saying anything else. For the first time he wondered if he could have two...
—
- Pick up everything you have, in two hours we have to be there- Thomas told Ashton.
-Well, you could have come later, I don't have so many things.- His few belongings fit in the garbage bag that the orphanage had given him, he piled them into a ball and without ordering anything he put them inside. The only thing he didn’t put inside was his skate.
-Don't you want pancakes before you go?
Ash smiled. - Don't you stay poor from buying so many pancakes?
-I don't do this with all my kids.
-And why with me?
- Because I can and I want to.
-That’s not a real answer.-Ashton always thought that the old man did it with everyone, he had always been curious about what Thomas' life was like.
-No one you care about.
- Always so mysterious. Hey, do you have a family? Have you never told me anything about your private life?
- Because it's private. Get in the car and shut up.
—
Ashton moved his leg nervously looking out the window of Thomas's car. They were parked in front of his new home.
-Ready?
"NO!" he said louder than he intended.
- Relax, we can wait as long as you need, but we have to go in at some point- Ash nods. He runs his hands down his legs trying to control his eager movements, but his legs keep shaking. He bites his lip and picks at the edges of his fingernails.
-They are going to hate me. -he sighs and puts his head between his hands, squishing his eyes close. Thomas puts a hand on top of his head. - It's ok kid. Everything will be fine.
- You can't promise that.
- If they hate you, they are idiots. You are great.
- I am really not. I do nothing all day and I’m sad all the time.
- It will pass. It's only temporary, one day you will be ok.
Ashton opens his eyes and looks at Thomas.
-If something goes wrong, can I call you?
- Of course kid, I won't let them hurt you. I promise.
This eases Ashton's nerves, he takes some deep breaths and gets out of the car .
—
Thomas rang the bell. Ashton stood behind him, his body completely paralyzed. There were heavy footsteps, and then the door was flung open. A tall dark boy smiled at them.
"He 's here!" he yelled, and then leaned to the side to get a better look at Ashton. This only made Ash scared and hid further behind Thomas.
-Ooh, he looks just like you guys! He is so small. -The boy smiled broadly at him, he seemed excited and he had too much energy for Ash, who could only look at his feet. He heard more footsteps; when he looked up the twins were at the door followed by two other people.
All eyes were fixed on him and his heart did not stop beating from the pressure.
"He even dresses a bit emo" the guy kept saying. Ashton wouldn't describe his style like that, more like grunge - he definitely looks like a Minyard.
"Shut up Nicky," said one of the twins.
- Okay, this is Ashton. Ashton your brothers.- Thomas interrupted the conversation. He stepped aside for Ash to meet his new family face to face.
"Hello," he managed to say quietly.
-Ohh- Nicky moved closer to him, and seemed to be holding back tears.
"Don't scare him," one of the twins pushed him away so there was distance between Nicky and Ash. Then he stared at his brother, Ash noticed how he was analyzing him. "I'm Andrew and that’s Aaron," he pointed to his twin who was looking wide-eyed at Ashton.
-This idiot is Nicky, our cousin, on the maternal side so you have nothing to worry about.
-Ehh, even so, he is still my little cousin just like you.- Andrew ignored him completely.
"He's Neil and the other is Kevin." Neil seemed strange and dangerous, he had scars all over his face and he didn't convey confidence, but Ashton hid his feelings as best he knew. Kevin, who was looking at him curiously, was handsome and tall. Ashton was sure he'd seen him before, but he wasn't sure where. An awkward silence arose suddenly. Nobody said anything.
"Let's go in," Thomas said bored, and made his way before being invited.