Escape | ✓

37

"What is going on?" Cronan's confused voice filled the air, yet neither Fen nor I made any move to reply. I stared at him for a long moment as I tried to gauge the situation. Fen was the mystery mate Cronan had been talking about? Fen? "Can someone answer me? What is going on?"

Cronan's head shot to Reuben who stood by my side. He shrugged and before Cronan could speak again, my hand found its way to Reuben's wrist and I started to pull him toward the door.

"It's nothing. I just know Fen from home so I was surprised to see him. You two are clearly busy so Reuben and I will—"

"Eli," Cronan cut me off. "You aren't a good liar and I'm not an idiot. What's going on?"

"It's nothing," I shook my head.

His eyes drifted toward Fen and without giving me a chance to respond, Cronan pulled me away from Reuben and toward one of the rooms in the back. The door was swiftly shut and he stood in front of me with his arms crossed expectantly.

"Talk to me," Cronan demanded.

"Cronan, drop it," I plead instead.

I didn't want to be the reason his mate bond was ruined before it started.

"Drop it?" He repeated with a frown. "How can I do that when you looked like you saw a ghost just at the sight of Fen? Come on, Eli."

On one hand, I wanted to. He had the right to know who his mate was, but on the other, I didn't want to be the one taint his bond. I started to say no again; to tell him to ask Fen instead, but I stopped when I saw his expression. It was full of worry and uncertainty.

"You remember when you asked me if I've been hurt before?" The words left my mouth quietly.

Cronan nodded and his eyebrows furrowed. He stared at me for a few moments before it seemed to dawn on him. His head snapped back in the direction of the door and then to me. "Fen...?"

I nodded silently.

"What happened?" He hesitantly asked.

So I told him. I told him the story of Fen and I from start to finish and I watched as his expression changed. First, it was confusion, then it was neutrality, and now it was sour and bitter. He didn't say anything as I spoke, but his hand drifted up to his neck, repeatedly rubbing the area where the hickey lay. By the time I'd finished, his neck was red.

"Cronan?" I called out after a few moments of silence and I started to reach for him, but he shook his head.

"You...you should go," he told me and when he saw my expression, he quickly added. "I'm not upset with you or anything. I just...I need to handle that," his eyes drifted to the door again.

"Are you sure?" I asked and he nodded wordlessly. Everything inside of me was telling me to do the opposite, but I could tell by his body language that he wanted to be alone so I said, "I'll call you later, okay? Or better yet, if you feel like it just come next door or I'll go to you."

He didn't respond, so I stood up and opened the door before flying down the hall and grabbing Reuben. The two of us slid out of the front door just as Hurricane Cronan seemed to hit. His loud voice boomed through the house in Fen's direction and I pulled the door shut.

"Shit," I said to myself as I reentered my own apartment. "Shit!" I ran my hand through my dark hair and paced around. "How is it that I've only been back for a day and shit is already hitting the fan?!"

My frustration continued to grow, but Reuben didn't seem to care as hurried toward me.

"Hey," he called out. "Calm down."

"How can I calm down when I just—just—"

His hands raised to cup my face. "You didn't do anything that wouldn't have come out eventually."

"But—"

"But nothing. Listen to me when I tell you that even if he didn't find out through you, Cronan would have learned about Fen's past no matter what. You aren't responsible for his actions."

"What if they break their bond?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Then that's their choice."

"I feel like an asshole," I told him.

"You shouldn't," Reuben said quietly. "You're one of the sweetest people I know Eli. I mean, you give and give for the sake of others. If that's what assholes do then clearly something is wrong in this world."

His words were filled with warmth and security. I stared at him for a long moment. Neither of us said anything, nor did we attempt to pull away.

A million-and-one thoughts and questions ran through my mind, but I ignored them all and focused on Reuben. His eyes met mine and there was a new emotion present inside of them: desire.

The tiny voice in my head screamed at me, saying this was a bad idea and to stop now before I was in too deep, but I didn't. I pulled Reuben closer to me, enjoying the sparks that ignited between us and I met his eyes one last time, silently asking if he was sure.

His hands dropped from my face and he nodded. So I pulled him impossibly closer, slowly leaned in until there was barely any space between us, and then kissed him.