"Really though. The way they look at you, the way you look at them…" Jace pushes me. "They nearly broke my door down trying to get answers. Luc almost beat the shit out of me when he thought you weren't coming back."
I hesitate before laying it all on the table. "I'm so fucking confused, it's not funny, J. It doesn't mean I can do anything about it."
He cocks his head to side, not out of confusion but interest.
Wait. No, Rory. What the hell are you doing? This is your brother's best friend.Yourbest friend.
It's like a bucket of cold water has been poured over me.
I pull out of his arms, hissing when it tugs at my ribs. I take small breaths until the pain resides. For the most part.
"What did he do?" My eyes flick up to Jace's and I see the dangerous look in his eyes.
I hesitate but he leaves me no room for discussion. He grips the hem of my shirt, his eyes lingering on mine before he lifts my shirt. He sucks in a breath, seeing the multi-coloured skin, the black and purple bruising.
"I was late coming home the day before yesterday. He caught me off guard." My gaze is cast down.
"Ro," he asks softly.
I look up and meet his grey eyes. "I…I have a broken rib, several bruised and most likely a concussion according to Alec."
"Ro," Jace says softly, heartbreak in his voice. Ignoring those pesky feelings, I embrace him. His head drops to my neck, his breath on my collarbone tickling me.
"I am so,sosorry I wasn't there for you," Jace says, his face in the crook of my neck.
"It's okay, J," I murmur.
He exhales deeply and shakes his head in my neck slightly. "No, Ro. It's not."
I bite my lip, not knowing how to respond. I don't need to because Jace pulls back, his eyes clear of the earlier darkness.
"Come on," he murmurs. "You need to eat." He looks up and down my body. I'm unprepared for the heat in his eyes before it disappears.
Jace helps me up and I groan. He watches me concerned. Before he opens his mouth I know what he's going to say.
"I just overdid it today," I tell him, wincing.
He slides an arm around my waist and it takes the pressure of my ribs. He helps me into the kitchen where the guys are gathered around a half empty bottle of whiskey.
Jace takes Alec's unused glass and pours some into it. He hands it to me and I take a sip. Surprise colours the guy's faces when I take another.
"What?" I sit on one of the stools beside Luc and Maverick.
"Just surprising," Alec says slowly like he’s trying not to insult me. The guys nod.
I chuckle and instantly regret it when it hurts my rib. "I was there for Dec's stealing from the parent’s cabinet phase. His too," I hitch a thumb, pointing at Jace who shrugs.
The guys laugh at that. I take another sip.
"What are we making for dinner?" Jace asks and all the guys groan.
"I'm sick of fucking cooking," Dominic growls.
"We cooked this morning," the twins say in unison.
I slide off my stool and go to the cupboard. To my surprise, it's full.
The guys are still arguing when I get out some tinned tomatoes and pasta. It's when I'm searching the freezer that they finally stop.
