Max stood with a frustrated exhale. "I won't ask for your forgiveness—"
"Well, that's just stupid," Crystal burst out.
She gasped softly and let go of Valentin to press her fingers against her lips. She looked chagrined, a faint blush staining her cheeks.
Max had stilled, a picture of wary curiosity.
"Go ahead," Valentin said. "Put us in our places."
She shook her head, still pressing her hand against her mouth. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…" she mumbled behind her fingers.
Max laughed. Actually laughed, a rusty chuckle. "I like her," he said to Valentin. Then, "Please, go on."
Crystal's blush was rosier now, filling her whole face, but she dropped her hand. "If its forgiveness you want, why wouldn't you ask for it?" she said. "Pride? Or stubbornness?" She looked between them. "It seems like you've both got more than enough of both."
Valentin smiled grimly. She was not wrong.
She was focused on Max. "Maybe you'll be denied what you want. Or maybe the answer will be ‘not yet.’ But if you don't ask, you're only punishing yourself."
Max looked from Crystal to Valentin. All signs of humor had vanished from his expression. If anything, he looked as grim as Valentin felt. And Valentin could see the moment when he braced himself, a minute straightening of his shoulders.
"Val. I've wronged you, and I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"
Valentin stood.
And Max straightened his shoulders again, as if he was bracing for a punch.
There were so many things he could hold against his brother, so many reason to hang onto his anger, his resentment, his hate. But none of those things had done Valentin a bit of good. They’d only made him angry and bitter.
Max’s betrayal had wounded him. Withholding forgiveness would only would him more. He glanced at Crystal, who seemed to be holding her breath beside him. Bitterness would add jagged edges all of his relationships.
And he wanted nothing but softness between himself and Crystal.
And deep in his heart, he wanted Max back. "I forgive you. Brother."
Max exhaled a long breath.
Valentin stuck out his hand. Maybe a handshake was too impersonal, but he couldn't offer a hug. Not yet. But maybe one day.
Max took it, his grip sure and steady. He didn't try to squeeze or play any one-upmanship games. He met Valentin's stare with a level gaze of his own. "Thank you."
And if Max’s eyes were a little wet, Valentin's were slightly misty too, so he mustn't have seen it.
Crystal watchedfrom her perch on the couch as Max took his leave. She felt a hundred pounds lighter on Valentin's behalf that he'd been able to forgive his brother. There would still be hurdles in their relationship. Some wounds could be forgiven but not forgotten. But today they'd forged a new start.
When Valentin turned to face her, she stood. She should've already taken her leave.
Because as she'd been sitting beside Valentin, she'd realized the reason he'd kissed her, had clung to her hand when she'd tried to excuse herself.
And she felt like she was bleeding all over the carpet. All her hopes, dashed to pieces along with her heart.
She couldn't bear to look at him, so she kept her gaze safely on the wall over his shoulder as she tried to manufacture a smile.
"I should get going."
He must've been lost in thoughts of his brother, because now she felt the sharpness of his gaze as it fixed on her. "We have things to talk about."
Her smile slipped a little. "I think we're done talking."
