He had no regrets.
But Xander wasn’t going to call the shots on his love life.
“I don’t.I’m ready for something new.”
“Hey, I know that things have to change, but not all at once.”
Ares chewed his muffin, trying not to let Xander know how pissed off that comment made him.
“You didn’t have to give up anything to be with Harper—”
“What are you talking about?”
“You only had to admit that you loved her and wanted her.That’s not giving up anything.”
“Yeah, because sharing the love of my life with a blond extroverted giant was on my wish list.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t.Please enlighten me.To have Josie, you’d have to give up something?”
Ares shook his head.He didn’t know where he was going with this conversation.Bad choice bringing it up now.He could feel the tension between him and his brother, like a string pulled taught, the fibres of their past threatening to pull it apart.
“Forget it.”
“You want to change something?Don’t let me stand in your way.”
“Noted.”
“Are you saying that I’m an obligation?”
Ares stood, pushing back his chair so hard it almost toppled to the ground.“That’s not what I said!”
“Then tell me what you really want to say.”Xander stood from his chair as if he had all the time in the world, and Ares resented how calm and cool he was.He was usually the one who kept it together.
“Good morning.”
Josie’s voice froze whatever comeback he was going to utter.His heartstrings pulled in a knot as he saw her sitting on the stairs.
“Are you okay?”He rushed over to her, kneeling on the step below her.
“I’m fine, Ares.Feeling a little sore from what we did last night.”Her cheeks turned bright red, and she ducked her head, her curls covering her face.“I kind of bummed down the stairs.”
He kissed her forehead, a feeling of inadequateness rushed over him.He couldn’t install an elevator in this without serious structural changes, despite his deep pockets.“Maybe I could install a chair lift.I didn’t think of that.”
“I said, I’m fine,” she pulled herself up from the stairs using the handrail and he stood, offering her his arm.“I am hungry, though.”
“Yeah?”he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.
“Breakfast is my favourite meal.”
“You’re my favourite meal,” Ares slanted his lips against hers, tasting mint and a little of her lip gloss.
“I still want food.”Her wide smile made him feel like a lovesick puppy, and that was exactly what he was, and he didn’t care.
“Good morning, Josie.The coffee is still fresh and there are muffins on the counter.”Xander grabbed water from the fridge.
“Hi, Xander.These muffins look great, thanks.”
