***
Lucien pulled up to the worksite of Skylar’s House on his Harley. He’d spent half the night making love to Catty so he slept in today.
“Dude, you’re late.” Jaxon teased as he picked up a stack of two-by-fours.
“Yeah, I am.” Lucien pulled of his leather jacket and draped it on the seat of his bike.
He was hot as shit and he wasn’t going to keep wearing his jacket to hide what he was. They’d all seen his back when they got him out of the underground tunnel. They knew what he looked like. No point hiding now.
“What’s up?” Damon walked over and pounded his fists. “Ready to get to work?”
“Hell, yeah.” Lucien headed to the truck. He piled up some lumber and grabbed a hammer.
“Hey man.” Jaxon eased up beside him. “Glad to see you here today.”
“Me too. The alternative is pretty fucking bad.” He laughed.
“No shit.” Jaxon agreed. He tugged his shirt off and tossed it on the back of the truck. “I swear it’s like a hundred and fifty degrees and not even noon.” He picked up his wood and walked back to the site.
Lucien set his lumber down and looked around at his brothers. They were all shirtless and still sweating like pigs.
“Fuck it.” He tugged his shirt up and over his head. Picking up his wood he headed toward the work site.
He held his breath and walked over to the rest of the Guardians. His back was to Damon and Jayden and Jaxon was beside him.
When no one said anything he stood up and sighed. “I was burned in a fire. That’s why my back looks like this.”
“I know dude. We all heard Lorcan cop to it in the RV.” Jayden said.
“I was going to rip his throat out for you but he said he felt like shit. So I didn’t,” Damon stated.
Lucien frowned. “You all heard?” He’d gone in and out of consciousness on the ride back home. The only thing he did remember was Lorcan’s apology.
“Well yeah. It’s not much space for all these large asses in an RV. Plus I was trying to get to the back so I wouldn’t hear Granny talk about some old fart propositioning her for a booty call.” Jayden cringed.
“Yeah it’s the stuff nightmares are made of.” Damon snorted.
“That’s not funny, man.” Jayden stood and shoved Damon in the chest.
“Don’t wanna go there with me, Jayden.” Damon growled.
“Don’t talk about my Granny.” Jayden bowed up.
“You’re the dickhead who brought it up.” Damon countered.
“For fuck’s sake, can you two ladies stop with your cat fighting? We are supposed to be listening to Lucien.” Jaxon groused.
“Actually,” he held up his hands and shook his head. “I’m good. Continue with whatever you were doing.” He looked at Jaxon as Jayden and Damon continued to bitch at each other.
“You could have told me, you know.” Jaxon arched his brow.
Lucien ducked his head. “I should have. I’m sorry, man.”
Jaxon grinned. “It’s okay, dude. But I do have to say something. You really should put your shirt back on.” He narrowed his eyes. “Your abs are better than mine. I don’t need the competition. Understand?”
Lucien laughed.
Yes, they were a dysfunctional family. But they were a family nonetheless.
The End