Page 155 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Furi’s gaze found his first and held.

The gaze he gave him was soft, and so full of appreciation it nearly took Syn apart in front of a table full of cowboys.

Fox stood, crossed the dining room and pulled Furi into a hug. Furi held him back, eyes closing for half a second.

“I’m glad you came,” Fox said.

Furi’s smile was faint, but real. “Thank you.”

Behind Syn, Dale and Rid were having a hushed fight that failed in every attempt at secrecy.

“I’m telling you that’s him,” Rid whispered.

“Can you stare any harder?” Dale muttered.

“I’m just saying. This is crazy.”

“You’re acting like a twelve-year-old at a men’s swim meet.”

“No, fuck a swim meet. That is the fuckin’ Furious Styles standing in our kitchen.”

Dale made a strangled sound.

“I paid a whole nineteen ninety-nine for the director’s cut.”

“For the love of livestock, lower your voice,” Dale gritted, elbowing Rid in his side.

Syn pressed his lips together and stared down at his plate, trying not to laugh. He was just glad he wasn’t angry…or jealous.

Furi was his.

Fox brought Furi further into the room. Bull stepped forward and offered his hand and Furi took it.

“I’m Bull, good to meet ya.”

“Furious. You can call me, Furi,” he said. “Thank you for the hospitality. I know it’s late notice.”

Bull’s gaze slid from him to Syn, then back to Furi. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want.”

Fox gestured toward the end of the counter. “That’s Bull’s father, Walker. And that dangerous woman by the stove is Amelia.”

Furi turned to them. “Sir. Ma’am. Thank you for letting me come into your home.”

Walker folded his newspaper halfway and looked Furi over like a man assessing a stallion. “You came for the man, not the house. Still, you’re welcome to both while you’re here.”

Syn almost choked on his coffee.

Furi chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

Walker studied him over the top of his glasses. “Furious, huh? That a nickname, son, or should we be worried you got anger issues?”

Furi’s smile was shy and small. “No, sir. It’s my real name. My mother gave it to me after the doctors told her she was having a girl, then found out they were wrong when I was born. She named me the same way she felt in that moment.”

Amelia paused with her hand over her heart. “Well, I’ll be. That might be the saddest naming story I ever heard.”

Furi shrugged. “I’ve grown to love it, ma’am.”

Amelia stood. “Do you want something to eat, honey?”