Ares snorted.It sounded like he was whining and yeah, okay, he was, but he didn’t want Josie to get scared because of how dependent Xander was on him.He needed her to accept his loyalty, yes, but he also needed to carve out time for himself.He needed a life aside from his brother’s interests.
Determined to tell the man that, Ares parked, then marched through the front doors.
“Take them Xander.Our girl deserves some rest and she won’t sleep if you’re up having anxiety attacks all night.”
“What happened?”Ares took off his shoes, knowing it was a stupid question.Logan laid on the couch, propped up with pillows, his arm in a sling, and a boot on his foot.
Xander sat across from him, his head in his hands.Harper was kneeling on the floor, holding a glass of water and a handful of pills.
“I’ll take them as soon as you take the painkillers, you dumb fuck,” Xander said.“He took a tumble down the big hill.”
“Hi, Ares,” Harper’s tone sounded tired and stressed.
“Guess your night was as eventful as mine.”
“Four hours in the ER,” Harper said.
“The staff loved her,” Logan tried to sit up.Harper ran over and fluffed his pillows for him.
“I don’t doubt it.Xander, swallow whatever those pills are.”
“He had a full anxiety attack in the waiting room,” Harper said.
“It was hot and crowded and they wouldn’t tell me what was going on.”
“They took this guy off the hill on a stretcher,” Harper said.
“Hey!That was supposed to be between us.It’s bad enough my rep is taking a hit.”
“Your rep is fine.Your body is ageing.You gotta stop doing stupid shit,” Xander said.
“Downhill skiing is a sport,” Logan grunted.
“Yeah, for twenty-year-olds,” Xander retorted.His brother popped the pills in this mouth.“There, happy?”Xander turned his dark gaze on him.
“Thrilled,” Ares said.
“What made your evening eventful?”Xander turned his dark gaze on him.
Ares shook his head.“It can wait till the morning.Those pills are going to conk you out and you won’t absorb anything I’m saying.”
“True.”Xander gave him a glaring look that made chills rise on Ares’s neck.“We ruined your date again?”
“Brought it to an abrupt halt.”
“I’m sorry, Ares.I’m sure Josie understands,” Harper said.
Ares shrugged.“I hope so.”
But it felt like he was putting too much on Josie, expecting her to understand the demands of his life.
The responsibilities he had to his business and to his brother.
“Before the interruption, was it good?”Xander asked, his tone serious.
Ares ran his hand through his hair, shaking off his frustration.He hadn’t been sure if Xander was supportive of him and Josie, but he nodded, giving in.“Incredible.”
“Yay!Finally, Ares!”Logan stretched to give him a high five from the couch, then immediately winced.
