At Year's End (The 12 Olympians) Read Online Free

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    “Looks good on you. Now all you need is some nice black jeans and a pair of biker boots .” Jaxon eyed Elijah in the jacket. “It suits you.”
    Elijah grabbed the price tag hanging from the sleeve and frowned. “I can’t get it.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s way too expensive.”
    Jaxon snorted and helped Elijah take off the jacket. He started walking toward the cashier.
    “Caden knew you’d say that. Too bad . He wants you to have the jacket, so no arguing. He also said you’re getting a new wardrobe.”
    Elijah almost tripped over his feet. “What?!”
    “Did you really think Caden would stop at a jacket? He loves you — he adores you.”
    Elijah swallowed hard and tried to hold back the tears he knew were making their way to the surface.
    “ He doesn’t have to do that,” he whispered.
    “No, he doesn’t. He wants to. He knows your parents don’t do jack shit for you and , if he could, he’d take you out of that house right now. So would I,” Jaxon added.
    “Really?” Elijah stared down at his shoes. Fingers tucked under his chin and gently pulled his face up. Elijah met Jaxon’s eyes.
    “Yes, really. I think we are all counting down the days to your birthday. We can’t wait to move you out of there.”
    “You’re…you’re going to move me out?”
    “What did you think would happen? That any of us would allow you to stay in that house a minute longer than you legally had to? Look, I don’t know what happens there —”
    Okay, so he was lying just a bit . Jaxon had an idea that Elijah’s adoptive parents were world-class assholes. He was also pretty damn sure that they were hurting Elijah, as well as some other kids from school.
    “ The second you turn eighteen, a moving truck will be there, along with a few burly men.”
    “Will you be one of those burly men?” Elijah grinned.
    “You bet your ass I will be.” Jaxon pulled Elijah forward. “Now come on, we have a lot more shopping to do.”
    For the next two hours, Jaxon dragged Elijah from one store to the other. He was shopping in every store he’d ever stared into through the display windows. He honestly didn’t care what his clothes looked like, as long as he was warm.
    Jaxon made him try everything on, and then gave him a thumbs up on most of the selections. Elijah grinned as he waited in line for food. Jaxon had gone to the ATM to get money for lunch while Elijah held their place in line. He was looking into his bag of jeans when he was pushed into the wall next to him. His bags fell at his feet as his shoulder met with the wall.
    “Hey, Newman. I didn’t think you had enough money to shop here. Goodwill closed today?”
    Elijah scowled and picked up his bags. “ Leave me alone, asshole. I mean Ashton.” Elijah grinned. Ashton Banks was one of the bigger football players. Somehow, Elijah had pissed him off just by breathing. He was pretty sure Ashton was the one who had his jacket, too.
    “What did you call me, you little shit? I don’t see any of your gay buddies here to help you. So I’ll do whatever the fuck I want.”
    Elijah cringed as Ashton raised a hand to him.
    “Wrong.”
    Elijah’s head snapped up to see Jaxon glaring at Ashton, his hand wrapped around Ashton’s wrist. Jaxon jerked his head toward Elijah. “Are you okay?”
    Elijah nodded. He stood up as Ashton tried to wriggle free of Jaxon.
    “Dude, let go of me!”
    Jaxon leaned into the kid ’s face with a feral grin. A low growl escaped his throat. “I see you touch him again — or even hear of it — and I swear I’ll cripple your stupid ass.”
    “You’re crazy!”
    Jaxon smiled wide. “Do I look like a people person? Get the fuck out of here.” He gave him a shove to start him on his way.
    Elijah had to chuckle as Ashton tripped, face planting on the tile of the food court.
    “Oops!” Jaxon chuckled. He turned to Elijah and eyed him from head to toe. “You okay?”
    “Yeah, thanks for that. I’ve tried to fight him off