Juice turned the internet upside down, but he didn't come across a lawyer called Timothy. Based on Mouse's description he did show her some pictures, but she shook her head each time.
It was a strange story. In the end, they decided to let it go, although Raine informed the daycare center where Sasha stayed. The thought that someone might be willing to hurt the little girl, turned Juice's stomach into knots. Raine had already gone through so much; he didn't want him to go through another shit storm. He knew the whole thing was bothering his boyfriend, also in the weeks that followed. The kidnapping of his father and the loss of his mother and sister had left traces. The fear to lose more people he loved, had returned after Mouse's observations. They couldn't do anything about diseases, but they could do something about their lifestyles, about the fact that they were both in a gang. By now, Juice had talked to Belladonna, Mouse's ex, and she agreed to have a meeting with Jax. Juice had faith in a good outcome. Soon, he would be able to say goodbye to the club. Then, he'd only have to wait until Raine had permission to leave too.
The Mayans no longer felt like a home to Raine. A few weeks had passed since he found out about Esai's lie. He acted like his former friend didn't exist, declining every step towards reconciliation, but the bond with his other brothers was disturbed as well. They tolerated their relationship, and that was it. Phantom was the only one he could still get along with and occasionally the three of them hung out—and sometimes Mouse joined them. Juice considered him as a nice guy and secretly, he liked to tease Raine with it.
Today, however, they would go out together. Juice and Mouse had driven to Oakland; she would spend the day with Sammy and Sasha. Just to be safe, he had given her his gun—in case they would cross paths with that strange guy again.
Juice's hands felt clammy as he rang the doorbell. Next to him, Mouse chuckled. "If you don't get your act together real soon, he's gonna see through you before you've even left the street."
Her words didn't exactly improve his nerves and he gave her a wronged look, which only made her smirk grow. "I'm not even sure I'll do it today."
Which was bullshit. The moment he arrived at their destination, there wouldn't even be a way back anymore. That however was something he didn't want to overthink.
The door opened. Juice felt like an idiot, but he couldn't help it—his heart raced in his chest. Raine wasn't wearing his kutte; he was clothed in a simple grey shirt and dark jeans. He looked just as irresistible as the day they met.
Exactly one year ago.
Although back then, there had been too many things on his mind to appreciate the man's handsomeness.
"Hey!" Raine pulled him into a warm embrace and pecked his lips before he turned towards Mouse to greet her with a hug. Letting go of her, he glanced curiously at Juice while his hand found his. Their fingers intertwined. "Big plans today?"
His chest was trembling. Did Raine already see through him? Had he chosen a day that was way too obvious? Or was he referring to the fact that all plans could be considered as 'big', since they hadn't gone out a lot and their encounters always felt short—often interrupted by one of their clubs?
He was afraid it would happen today too—although the nervousness was so prominent right now that an interruption almost sounded like a relief.
"Something that could pass for a date," he answered, fighting the blush on his cheeks.
Chuckling, Raine pressed his lips to his jaw. "Now I'm curious."
Half an hour later, they entered an arcade hall. Lights were blinking and they were surrounded by the noises of old-school video games. When Juice was younger, he'd hung around places like this all the time, with only a few cents in his pocket. He used to pick pockets with his friends and share the loot.
A grin spread across Raine's face. "Is this proof that I'm a horrible boyfriend? Now you're carrying out your own perfect date?"
"Carrying out my own perfect date doesn't make me a much better boyfriend, huh?"
Raine chuckled. "I can't even remember how I described my own perfect date."
"Neither do I," Juice admitted. "I was way too overwhelmed that you were suddenly in our living room."
"Yeah, you were cute." Grinning, Raine slung an arm around his shoulders. "Asking me right away if I thought we could be more than friends. My man's always three steps ahead."
"That's what hackers do."
Raine snickered and looked around. "So we're gonna play some old school games here and I gotta believe you didn't hack these things?"
"Tah, as if I'd need to cheat to beat you.."
"You'd be surprised."
"Yeah, I would."
Shaking his head, Raine shoved his shoulder. "I'm not sure if your arrogance is a turn-on or a turn-off."
"Turn-on. Definitely."
"Maybe you're right." Raine looked around. "Let's do all the games and keep the scores. The winner gets a mind-blowing blow job in that photo booth over there?"
The heat rose to Juice's cheeks. "With all these kids around?"
Raine laughed. "Of course not, goof." He hooked his finger behind the collar of his shirt and pulled him closer to give him a teasing kiss. "I'll find a place with a little more privacy," he whispered.
His pants already felt tighter—a certain part of him certainly liked the idea of winning. The glistening in Raine's eyes took his breath away, blocking a witty comeback.
Chuckling, Raine grabbed his hand and pulled him along to an old-fashioned pinball machine.
For a while, they tried different games. They were evenly matched, hyper fanatic, and each time he saw Raine enthusiastically smashing the buttons or yanking the joystick, Juice fell a little more for him. They'd shared many vulnerable moments, but unfortunately, the days in which they had just fun were countable on one hand. And it felt amazing; Juice felt more and more convinced that Raine was everything he wished for in a partner. He was the one he wanted to grow old with; with whom he wanted to share his life.
And it was time for him to ask the big question—in a different way than half-dead and on the verge of unconsciousness.
He glanced at the clock. It's time. Nervously, his foot shoved across the floor. Suddenly, he was aware of the many spectators; of the fact that they were both men and that everyone would have an opinion about them. They weren't wearing their kuttes; they looked less threatening. Some of the people around might be homophobic—perhaps they would boo them, or throw stuff at them. That wasn't how—
The screen on which Raine had been playing Donkey Kong only a second ago, changed. It turned black, then, blinking, flashy letters appeared.
Important announcement.
Please turn around.
Juice's heart slammed in his chest like crazy. For a moment, he couldn't move.
Get down on one knee, you idiot!
The next moment, he sat down on one knee. He fussed with the jewelry box in his pocket. Raine turned around—and Juice was still fidgeting with the small clasp. His back was sweaty. One moment, Raine looked over him, then his glance wandered down.
Finally, that cursed box opened.
And at the same time, all words Juice had rehearsed vanished. Helplessly, he looked up to his boyfriend. Surprise radiated from his face.
Was it too soon?
Say something, moron!
He cleared his throat. "I uh—hate this." The words left his lips before he could stop them and his cheeks flushed. If the ground could only swallow him. He wanted to disappear, wanted to re-do it. His eyes found Raine's. Brown like coffee beans. It made him feel calmer, just like a year ago. He remembered how patient Raine had been, even though Juice was panicking for no reason. Also this time, his glance was loving and patient and a tender smile curled his lips.
"Will you—will you marry me?"
He blurted out the words—they were only a pale imitation of the speech he'd prepared.
Raine squatted in front of him, his knee brushing his. He wrapped his fingers around Juice's shaking hand. "Yes, Juice. I want to marry you."
Around them, people started to cheer, applaud.
Raine leaned into him and kissed his lips. Juice forgot about the ring, about the audience, about the nervousness and he kissed his boyfriend back.
He'd said yes.
They were engaged.
When he shoved the ring around Raine's finger a few moments later, he still couldn't believe it.
. . .
I'm sorry updating took so long! I found it really hard to connect this scene to the former chapters, but I didn't want to post filler chapters. And proposal and marriage chapters are always the worst, lol.
Next update will be in December since I'll be working on my paperback for Nanowrimo next month. (:
If you enjoyed this chapter and you want to support me as a writer, it would mean the world to me if you'd leave a comment, vote and follow my profile ♥