It took me three steps to reach them. I wanted to reach out and pull Emery out of the other man’s lap, but instead, I took a moment to pause.
“He passed out,” Enzo whispered in a rough voice. “I can’t stand with him…clinging to me.”
Oh. Okay. “I’ll help.”
I heard his teeth clench as I bent down. My knees popped in the process. Emery was dead weight but easily movable. Once I had him untangled from Enzo, I carried him to the spare bedroom.
The man in question followed a few steps behind me. Once in the spare room, he stood back as I laid Emery down on the bed.
“Ryker….”
“Shh. It’s okay.” I pressed a kiss to Emery’s forehead before stepping back. “Lay with him. I’ll bring you both some water.”
“Thanks.”
With a sad smile and lingering look at Emery, I did as I said.
“He’ll be okay,” Scarlett hinted, already having the bottles of water ready for me. “You all will be.”
I wasn’t so sure. There were so many things that could been handled differently. Maybe then, this wouldn’t have been so tough. Not just for me, but for Emery too.
“I’m sorry for putting you in this sort of position, Ryker. I should have talked it over with you first.”
“Yeah, that would have been nice,” I huffed. “At least some warning next time.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
Good.
Without another word, I turned before I said something I’d later regret.
Back in the bedroom, I found Emery still out with Enzo laying on his side, facing him. He jerked as I knocked lightly on the door.
I held up the water before placing it on the bedside table.
“Yell if you need anything.” I knew Emery would be asleep for a little while. Enzo, on the other hand, looked like he was about to fall apart. It was the complete opposite of how he had greeted me when he showed up.
It was that look there that caused a pang of desire to flare. Enzo’s needs right now were so similar to Emery’s. My arms ached to hold them both, even with jealousy lurking in the background of my own feelings.
He nodded before looking away.
I guess Scarlett was right. Enzo would grow to trust that I wouldn’t hurt either of them. He’d suffered just as much as Emery had, and they needed each other to fully heal.
I refused to stand in the way of that.
Emery
Ahand ran lightly over my face, covering every curve and imperfection. I wasn’t sure if the touch was meant to wake me, or put me back to sleep. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to face reality quite yet, anyway.
I’d been having one weird dream. Enzo was here. He was alive. I even got to hug him.
Another tear trickled from the corner of my eye.
I had to be going crazy.
Hitting my head too many times in the past few years was finally having an effect. One too many concussions. It was bound to happen.
My mind was broken.
