Three Hearts Left Intact

Chapter 57: Apologies

For a brief second Mallix contemplated his options. While one massive side of him wanted James to leave the cabin altogether, the other very slim side reminded him of the innocent face of his baby brother. Looking back at the group Mallix saw each of their faces glowing with their own concerns.

Alex especially. After hearing Mallix's position on James, Alex couldn't help but feel wary. The more he thought about Mallix's reasoning, the more it all made sense to him.

When the tall man stood up hesitantly walking towards the door in silence, there was a moment of fear over him. Not from being scared of his brother, but from being scared of all the mysteries and secrets hiding in plain sight.

Opening the door, James had a shocked look on his face seeing everyone in his room. "Um...hi. I'm just going to grab some stuff," he entered creating high tension everywhere. Maneuvering past Mallix, James had walked to a small place in the corner of his room and grabbed himself several pairs of clothes. He turned around seeing four pairs of eyes watching his every movement.

"I..." he took a moment to look straight at Nina trying to convey his message with his eyes. But she had turned her head away briefly noticing his gesture. The rest of the men continued to look at James as he stood in front of everyone silent as he waited for Nina to turn back to him.

As she slowly did trying to see why the room was still so silent, they once again locked contact with one another. This time she didn't turn away. She stared back as his lips opened to speak. "I really am sorry. I was being irrational, and selfish, and was totally out of line." Slowly his gaze faded towards his brother, "I know it wasn't your fault the girls were taken, it just slipped. I was frustrated with everything going on before hand and I was angry."

Turning back his gaze towards Nina, "I hope you guys can..." he paused to take in a sharp breathe, "...forgive me." He pushed out.

James had expected them not to say something. But was genuinely surprised when not a single person said anything. Instead they all looked at him as if he were a ghost in the room. Someone who was both present, yet not. Almost like they were staring right past him. A shiver of nerves made the hairs on his arm stand as he could tell he was overstaying his welcome.

Walking back towards the door to leave he turned around taking in one last look of the fear in their eyes as they watched him leave. Pausing to take an extra long look at Nina he said, "I'll be sleeping in the living room so you can have your space. Well talk when your ready." He ended turning away from their constant stares.

As soon as James had stepped out of the room Mallix shut the door as everyone simultaneously sighed in relief. 'Well that couldn't have been more awkward.' He thought returning to his place on the bed.

"So...the costumes?" Nina coughed beginning to bring back conversation amongst the group trying to diffuse the tension left behind.

"Yeah right, so the back of the outfit needs to be different from the front since they've got different patterns, and I'm not entirely sure of the fabrics you'll need..." Mallix trailed off as both him and Nina inspected the photos with keen eyes. They continued on with their conversation as if James had never entered the room to begin with.

Meanwhile Alex looked down in his lap seeing Zander staring off at the door. "You alright Z?" He asked directing the younger man's face towards his own.

Dropping his head low Zander mumbled something under his breathe making it only sound like a jumble of noise to Alex. "What was that buddy? I didn't quite catch that."

Once again Zander repeated his mumble with his head facing the bed. Alex calmly gripped Zander's chin firmly and turned his face towards his. The two of them made eye contact as they stared off into one another's eyes. "What's wrong?" Alex asked softly seeing Zander shifting uncomfortably in his spot.

"C-can we talk in private please?" He whispered out looking below Alex's eye line. Not wanting to make a scene out of their business, Alex just sent him a quick smile as he released Zander's face and instead gripped his hand. Standing up off the bed, Alex led Zander out the door as neither Mallix nor Nina paid them any attention. The two of them were too consumed in their own conversation of interest.

As the couple walked through the hall to their room, Zander caught sight of James who was making the living room more cozy for himself. He could see in one corner of the room James had placed the small pile of clothes that he had grabbed minutes earlier, and the far couch directly underneath a window had been transformed into a bed. James had given Zander a shy wave to which the small man didn't have time to respond to.

Before he knew it, Alex was pulling him into their room softly as he shut the door and locked it behind them. Climbing onto the bed, Alex released Zander's hand. "Come on..." Alex brushed his hair back with a kind smile as he patted the spot in front of him on the bed.

Nervously Zander climbed up himself taking a seat directly in front of Alex. By the way Zander slouched in his spot and was repeatedly turning his head to check to see if the door was still locked Alex took his smaller hands into his larger ones forcing Zander to look his way.

"Hey, you're alright. What's going on buddy? Why do you seem so on edge?" Alex reassuringly squeezed Zander's hands for comfort. The entire time Alex had not removed his focus from the worried look sprawled all across Zander's face.

"T-There's something that I need to tell you, but I don't know if what I heard was accurate...or, or if it was in the wrong context, or if it was all just a misunderstanding...or," he paused in his broken sentence to take a calming breathe, "...or if it was true."

Alex instantly was concerned by the amount of worry on his boys face. He had never seen Zander so scared and nervous about something before, his carefree spirit usually prevented moments like this. Seeing the sweat drops forming at his face, Alex pulled him in closer. Setting each of Zander's legs around his waist, Alex wrapped his arms securely around his back. Using a free hand he began patting Zander's back with rhythmical pats, while he held the boys head in the crook of his neck.

Whispering quietly into the younger ones ear he asked, "what happened?"

"It's about James, I overheard his conversation outside..." he said with uncertainty.
——————————————————————————
Let me know what you think Zander heard. Thanks Lexx signing off