“I wasn’t going to come back. Michael made me,”
Christian answered defensively.
“Have you and Michael sorted out your differences?”
Doyle knew Christian felt a little embarrassed discussing
his private life in front of the whole family, but he didn’t care.
“Some.”
Doyle asked, “And?”
“And my relationship with Michael is none of your
goddamn business.” Christian was getting a little angry.
Yes he had screwed up. Yes he had broken the “golden
rule” and created something he shouldn’t have. But
sometimes rules were meant to be broken.
“I’m sorry. That’s what you want to hear, isn’t it? I’m sorry
I fucked up Michael’s life so completely. I’m sorry I let myself
be brought back here when obviously I’m not welcome. I
won’t stay to taint the house with my unwanted presence
any longer. This is not the only home I have. I’l come back
for my things later.” He didn’t want to tel them this real y
was the only home he had now, since Michael had set fire
to his other one. They didn’t have to know.
“You can’t leave,” Charm threw herself at him. “We are
your family now. You must stay here with us, with me. I won’t
lose him again.”
Feeling grateful he had at least one person on his side,
Christian wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top
of her head before extracting himself. “We’l always be
family, no matter whether I am living here or not.”
“Show him Kerr,” Charm pleaded, “If you show him he
wil stay.”
Kerr pushed the paper toward Christian without saying a
word. He didn’t have to.
His stomach dropped. “Oh. I…” he quickly read the
passage over again. “It’s okay. I’l find somewhere to stay.
Wil you take care of Drack for me? I’l come back for him
when I can.”
Not knowing what to do now Christian didn’t look at any
of them as he walked out the door. As upset as Charm was
at his leaving again, she had been a friend to him and it
was hard for him to walk away while she screaming out for
him to stay. But Christian knew he couldn’t stay where he
wasn’t wanted. It had been a mistake for him to come back.
Michael should have just left him.
§ § § §
Michael watched as Christian passed by him. He had
heard everything that was said as he stood just outside the
door. It seemed this family wasn’t exactly forgiving. Michael
stood in the dark as the other three came out.
The moment they saw him Charm walked away from
Kerr and Doyle and beat on Michael’s chest. She was
pissed again. “You promised to bring him back. You
promised to make him stay and now he’s gone again. My
angel belongs here. Doyle hurt his bloody feelings and he
took off.”
“I did bring him back.” Michael stared over her head to
the others who were standing there watching and listening.
Michael wondered what they were thinking about this little
outburst. But then again it was nothing new for Charm to be
angry at one of them.
Grabbing her by the arms Michael growled, “Hey, I’m not
the one who told him to go, so stop fucking hitting me,
damn it! He’l come home again. This is the only home
Chris has left.” Michael had felt optimistic after his phone
cal home; his family stil wanted him in their lives. He had
just sorted out one part of his life only for the other part to
fal apart. And seriously he was getting tired of al this crap.
“He just needs time.” He glared at Doyle and Kerr. “And you
two need to calm the fuck down.”
Remembering what he had learned in his dream,
Michael stiffened at Charm’s next words.
“No, the creator wil find him. Christian needs to be here,
to be with his family. He needs to be here with you. I don’t
want him to die.”
Whispering softly Michael said, “Don’t worry,” even
though he knew the others could hear him perfectly. “Chris
is mine. I won’t let him die.” Michael’s gaze locked with
Kerr’s and he frowned at him. Then his gaze landed on
Doyle, whose expression was strange. For the life of him,
Michael could not fathom what it meant, so he shrugged it
off. It seemed as if he had managed to piss Doyle off yet
again.
His arms wrapped around her as Charm pressed her
forehead into his chest. “Promise me you wil find the idiot
and bring him home.”
Gently releasing Charm, he answered, “I promise.”
Staring at Doyle and Kerr, Michael waited for them to
say something about the exchange which had just taken
place.
“Wel ,” Doyle said, patting himself on the chest with both
hands in what Michael thought might be nervousness.
Again Michael wondered why Doyle was staring at him.
The strange thing was he didn’t think Doyle even realised
he was doing it at al . “Are you guys coming or what?”
“Sure.” Charm gave Doyle a strange look but let him
lead the way.
“Start heading toward the rocks,” Kerr cal ed out as they
left.
As he stood next to Kerr, Michael watched them walk
away before he spoke. “I’l go after him.” Michael knew he
would be able to find Christian. His scent was now so
familiar, so ingrained into him it was now a part of him. “Did
you have to show him the paper? Wasn’t it enough that you
treated him like shit? He fucked up — we al get it. But I’m
the one who has to sort it out, to live with it.”
“Are you in love with him?” Kerr asked. Michael stared at
Kerr. He was used to Charm asking, but coming from Kerr
it just sounded wrong.
Michael took a moment before answering. “Yes I am. I’l
bring him home, so I want you al to back the hel off. The
deed is done and I’m here. It’s for me to work it out. I don’t
need you and the Doyle lording my change over him and
treating him as a criminal. The sooner you al learn Chris is
mine then the better it wil be for everyone,” he said before
he turned and walked away, not wanting to give Kerr more
time to argue with him.
Slowly, Michael walked in the direction Christian had
taken. It didn’t take him long to find him as Christian was
sitting in a bus station, not even two blocks from home. The
sad look on his face just about tore Michael’s heart out.
When Christian looked up Michael knew he had been
waiting for him. “Where do you think you’re going?” Michael
asked as he sat beside him. “Running away?”
Reaching across, Michael took the cigarette out of
Christian’s mouth, put it in his own and inhaled deeply. “You
know these things wil kil you,” Michael said as he offered it
back.
“So how did your phone cal go?” Christian leaned over
until his head rested on Michael’s shoulder.
Michael chuckled, “I’ve been inv
ited around for dinner
tonight. I should say, we’ve been invited around. My family
wants to meet you; they want to meet ‘my friend’ . They’re
curious about who you are, and what it is about you which
has kept me away from home. Okay, and Gypsy just wants
to check you out.” Michael chuckled . “ My mum’s making my
favourite: Chicken Kiev. It’l be good; she always makes it
just right.”
“Wouldn’t you rather be by yourself with your family?”
Christian asked. Michael could see the thought of having to
meet his family terrified Christian.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you to come. How
can they meet my friend if you don’t come with me?”
Michael batted his eyelashes seductively until Christian
laughed.
“Am I your friend?”
Michael moved his arm to wrap it around Christian’s
shoulders. “You’re more than my friend, Chris. You’re my
boyfriend. You know that don’t you? You are the one I want
to spend my forever with. Babe, face it, for better or worse
you’re stuck with me.”
When Christian didn’t respond, Michael decided to tel
him what he found out in his dreams. “Chris, I can’t let you
leave. I want to be honest with you. After you hear me out I
won’t stop you if you want to walk away from me, but you
can’t leave the family.”
Christian straightened up and turned to face him.
Michael swal owed hard, this wasn’t going to come out
sounding good at al , and the expression on Christian’s
face was enough to scare the bejesus out of him. He hated
how Christian appeared as though he was about to break
apart.
“I have been dreaming about you.” Michael held up his
hand as Christian went to interrupt. “I keep dreaming about
this creator. For some reason he loves to taunt me with
suggestions of torturing you. He keeps asking me to die for
you. And then last night, I’m not sure if he meant to or not,
but he let something slip. He basical y said the only way we
can defeat him is together; you and I need to give ourselves
to each other…completely. Body, heart and soul.”
Michael watched Christian’s face intently. “I’m not going
to force you to be with me. I’m not even certain once this is
al over and done with, we won’t just go back to the way we
were. What you said to me up in the attic could be right. Our
feelings could just be generated for this one particular
reason. What I do know is this right now I want to be with
you. I need to be with you. I need you to want to be with me
too.
“There, I’m done. What do you think?”
Michael waited.
After a moment, Christian flicked the cigarette away into
the darkness. “Come on, love,” Christian said as he stood
up and pul ed Michael to his feet. “We can’t keep your
family waiting.”
Christian pul ed Michael into a deep kiss, one which
Michael didn’t want to end. Even though Christian was the
one who had torn him away from them, he kept a firm hold
on Christian’s hand as they walked to his parents’ home.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Because I’m a dumbarse, that’s why.
Michael knocked on the front door of his former home.
Strangely, he was nervous, more nervous than the first time
Christian and he had become more than just friends. He
squeezed Christian’s hand in encouragement as they
heard footsteps approaching.
“Michael!” His father smiled. “And you must be Chris, or
do you prefer to be cal ed Christian? My name’s Charlie.”
Michael’s father reached out and shook Christian’s hand.
Michael stil possessed his other.
“Chris wil be fine, sir.”
Michael relaxed slightly.
Letting go, Michael threw his arms open wide as his
sister came running across the room and rushed into them.
“Mikey.” Tears streamed down her face. Gypsy crushed
her brother to her. He knew she must be wondering where
the hel he had been. She would have just about gone crazy
when he disappeared. She probably wanted to scream at
him about him knowing how they were supposed to be
together forever. Grandpa had told them so enough times
for it to have sunk in. A wave of sadness washed over him
at the thought, because he had no right to want that
closeness anymore. He and Gypsy had always been closer
than normal twins. Sometimes it felt as though they were
the same person. They were compel ed to be together. Not
in a sexual way, but Grandad had said they were meant to
have the unbreakable bond. And then Michael had broken it
by walking away from her.
He didn’t expect it, though he real y should have
because, after al , this was Gypsy. He should have known
she was going to take a step back and slap his face as
hard as she could. Just like he should have also known
Gypsy wasn’t going to let him off so easy. The crack of her
hand hitting his cheek echoed through the house before
she began crying and hugging him again. Christian inhaled
sharply beside him.
Michael laughed nervously in the shock of her greeting,
but it did stop him from hugging her back just as tight. “Hey,
Gypsy girl, I have missed you so damn much.”
“Where have you been?” Gypsy demanded kissing him
fiercely. “Why didn’t you cal me?”
A lump formed in his throat as Michael tried to hold back
his own tears. Now that they were face to face he didn’t
want to let her go; he wanted to keep her with him for
always. Not caring that Christian and his dad were staring
at them, he held her tight against his chest. “I didn’t cal
because I’m a dumbarse,” he said, using one of her
favourite sayings.
“Gypsy, this is Chris, my boyfriend.”
Gypsy stared at Christian. “Hel o.”
By the look on her face Michael knew she was
wondering why he had stayed away from the family, stayed
away from her, for this guy. Michael smiled as he watched
the answer final y dawn on her. Because he’s gorgeous.
“Hel o,” Christian answered shyly, he blushed when her
eyes went wide in appreciation. Michael nearly laughed as
he watched Christian studying Gypsy, trying to take in al
their similarities, as wel as al their differences.
“You’re not going to slap me are you?” He final y asked
taking a step closer to Michael.
Gypsy grinned and shook her head and he relaxed.
“Only Mum to go,” Michael said against his ear. They
fol owed their dad back into the house. Gypsy never let go
of his hand, and Michael never let go of Christian’s, he
knew Christian needed the comfort and reassurance.
“Peg, love, Michael and Chris are here,” Charlie said in
excitement, and it made Michael feel good. Usual y his
father acted a little odd toward him, he was
kinda glad he
was seeing this new side to his father.
“Hey Mum,” Michael hugged her, “This is my Chris,” he
said as he stepped back and wrapped his arm around
Christian’s waist.
His mother smiled warmly, as she gave him a quick
embrace, “Hel o Chris. Welcome to our home.” Michael
almost laughed at the panicked look on Christian’s face as
he greeted his mother. It was like he didn’t know what he
was meant to do… hug her or shake her hand and in the
end he opted for just nodding and pressed closer to
Michael.
His mother announced dinner was served. She tenderly
touched the hand print on Michael’s face and frowned at
Gypsy, while Gypsy pretended not to notice.
Gypsy probably thought Michael deserved everything he
got for running away and not taking her with him. Not that he
had run away, but he couldn’t tel her the truth — not yet
anyway. At first he was worried because he thought she
might have assumed he had left because he was sick of
her always bossing him around. As he sat there and
watched he could see her brain ticking over with al these
thoughts she would have also worried, because who was
taking care of Michael now, protecting Michael was her job.
It had always been her job and they both knew it. And lastly
she wouldn’t be sure if she liked Christian or not, because
Christian was the person who had taken Michael away from
her. The person who would always keep him from her.
Al through dinner Michael watched Christian closely and
during the course the conversation which fol owed.
Christian didn’t seem too weirded out; he had even grinned
when Gypsy had asked him plainly what the hel his
intentions were concerning her brother.
When Gypsy had gotten an answer she was satisfied
with, she nodded graciously. Gypsy even offered to give
him a tour of the house, seeing as her brother was
completely incompetent in that area. Michael poked his
tongue out at her and she did one of her famous Marsden
eye rol s.
Leaning back in his chair, Michael chuckled at the way
Gypsy grabbed Christian’s arm and dragged him out of the
room, pointing out things as she went, while Christian
nodded at everything she said.
“Chris seems nice,” his mum said as they watched them
leave. Michael found his eyes riveted to Christian’s arse.
“ He’s very good looking; he kind of reminds me of Spike.”