Axel has the decency to duck his head as he replies. “Fair enough. But he might be able to save your asses, so it’s a good thing he’s in the know.”
“Save our asses?” Jace interrupts. “What are you talking about?”
“My guess is Kane found out about the two of you before you had a chance to come clean on your own. Right?” Axel prompts.
Jace and I share a guilty look, which Axel doesn’t miss.
“Fuck.” Axel wheels on Jace. “You didn’t even ask if he’s into this lifestyle, did you? So, in his mind, the two of you are the couple and he’s the extra spice on the side.”
My hands ball into fists at my side. “Don’t talk about him like that.”
“You two are who I’m criticizing, not Kane.” Axel points at each of us in turn. “I know why you played it this way, but I told him weeks ago—" he jerks his head at Jace “—that this would blow up in your faces, and here we are. I’m not part of this trio but even I know more about it than Kane does. How do you think that makes him feel? Embarrassed? Ashamed? Like he doesn’t mean enough to know the truth?”
“How is this helping?” Jace barks as I sink onto the couch, my stomach feeling like it’s about to lose contents it doesn’t have.This is so bad.“We get it, we fucked up,” Jace continues. “Telling us that won’t fix shit.”
Axel throws his arms in the air like he’s done with us. “You’re right. I tried that once already and you didn’t listen, so now I’m trying to help you figure out how to get him back. Maybe if he understands where you’re coming from, you guys can fix it. Put yourself in his shoes, what would you want to hear? And don’t say sorry, that’s not good enough.”
Jace glares at his best friend, panting with barely contained rage. “Jesus, dude. Get yourself a boyfriend and suddenly you’re a fucking expert? What makes you think you’re right?”
“This isn’t my advice, it’s Lennon’s. He said Kane needs to knowwhyyou screwed up. Even if your logic is fucked up, knowing where you’re coming from is the only thing thatmightmake him forgive you.”
Jace’s nostrils flare, but he doesn’t object to Axel’s words. I can’t either.
“He’s right,” I admit. “What we saw as easing him into things Kane obviously sees as toying with him. And telling him how we feel won’t solve anything. He won’t forgive us for keeping secrets until he understandswhywe did it. That our intentions were good even if our actions were shit.”
“And how do we do that?” Jace asks. “He’s not coming back over, how do we get him to listen to us?”
“Knock on his door and ask to talk to him.” Axel shrugs, as if it’s that simple.I guess Lennon didn’t advise him on this part.
“What if he doesn’t want to talk?” Jace’s eyes fall shut as he rubs his forehead.
“I can ask Carter to give us a key to his room?” I suggest, feeling a twinge of hope for the first time since Kane walked out.
“Let me stop you there.” Axel shakes his head at me. “A, that’s technically breaking in, so no. B, shouldn’t you be a little more discreet than involving your boss in this little triangle? After all, if you were so concerned about whether Kane would be on board with this lifestyle it’s not fair to put him in it without his permission.”
“Shit, I know.” I scrub a hand over my face.I’m fucking losing it. “I’m just freaking out about not being able to fix this.”
“I hear you. I felt the same way when I thought I’d fucked up with Lennon. But you can’t just march in there and give him some bullshit line about trying to protect him or breaking the news gently. I know you think that’s what you were doing.” He pins Jace with a look that says,don’t even try to object. “Although the truth is, you were both so busy thinking about what you wanted you forgot to think about what he might want.”
“Fuck,” I groan, letting my head fall back against the couch cushions. “He’s never gonna forgive us.”
“He might. Just give him some time and…”
“Screw that,” Jace interrupts Axel. “The longer we go without trying to fix it the longer he has to convince himself this is a mistake. I won’t take that chance.”
“Me, either.” I fly off the couch, ready, as Jace’s steely resolve gives me another burst of hope.
“Stop.” Axel’s booming voice freezes us both halfway to the front door. “Whatever groveling you two have to do is gonna go a whole lot better if you’re dressed.”
Jace and I look at each other, before looking down at ourselves. Then we speed walk to the bedroom to find clothes.
Chapter twenty-six
Kane
Tears make my vision cloudy as I stumble into my apartment, but I’m too stubborn to let them fall. Not outside these four walls where anyone could see them.
I’m such a fool.
