EMS Heat 06 - Red Lights and Silver Bells (8 page)

 

Kaleb pulled back, both surprised and proud. "You're going to take a stand against him?"

 

"Yeah, I'm done covering for him. Now it's time for him to regret what's he's done to me, Becca and Lucas.

 

Chapter Eight

By the time Dylan made his statement and they got back to the apartment, it was well into the afternoon. To be fair, they'd gotten a late start, choosing to take the time out to open their presents first.

Dylan looked down at his hand and smiled as he stared at what was by far his favorite gift from Kaleb. A silver ring that had both of their names inscribed on it. He twisted it around, loving the sensation of being owned that came with it. Kaleb had on an identical ring, further cementing their bond.

As they walked up the steps, Dylan said, "After the first of the year, can we go to Canada?"

 

"Sure, any special reason why?" Kaleb reached out and laced their fingers together.

 

"I want us to get married and that's the closest place we can legally do so."

 

Kaleb paused to give Dylan a soft kiss. "Nothing would make me happier."

 

"Do you think the others are here yet?" Dylan asked as they approached the door. A huge part of him still worried that Lucas would be too mad to show.

 

"I thought I saw Matt's truck in the parking lot." Kaleb opened the door and they went in. The first thing Dylan saw was his brother sitting in the kitchen. Unsure of the reception he'd receive, Dylan cautiously approached the table. "Merry Christmas, Lucas."

Lucas sprang to his feet and wrapped Dylan in an embrace nearly as tight as the ones Becca gave. "Merry Christmas to you, too. I'm so sorry about last night. I never should have yelled at you like that."

As soon as he realized Lucas didn't hate him, Dylan allowed himself to finally totally relax. "It's okay, I deserved it. I should have told you what happened a long time ago."

 

"That doesn't matter anymore. All I care about is making sure it never happens again."

"It won't for a while. The police informed me he was arrested this morning." Dylan pulled back from the hug and sat at the table. "I told them everything. Not just about the attack last night either. I gave them a statement about the first beating, too."

"I'm so proud of you," Lucas praised.

 

"It's been a few months, so I don't know if they'll be able to charge him with anything on the first one, but it felt good to file a complaint."

It had, too. While Dylan may not have the muscles and strength to physically take on his father, that didn't mean he couldn't fight back in other ways. The biggest way he planned on sticking it to the jerk though, was by living a very happy life with Kaleb.

"You've really grown this past year," Lucas observed.

 

Dylan glanced over at Kaleb, a warm flood of love washing over him. "Yeah, I had some help in that area."

 

Lucas glanced over to Matt. "Me, too. I don't know about you, but I think moving to Flint was the best thing to ever happen to either one of us."

 

"I couldn't agree more."

Dylan reached out and grabbed Kaleb's hand. It may have been a long, bumpy road to his happily ever after, but he knew that he'd never trade it away for anything for it had led him to Kaleb. That's truly the best gift of all.

About the Author

Stephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book.
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