Carter gets up from the table, but I’m faster. “I got him,” I say over my shoulder and rush behind Declan.
I can’t say why I follow him instead of allowing his brother to make sure he’s okay, but Declan looks like he’s hurting. Every time he looked at the chair beside him, he had the same haunted look in his eyes that Kai had after Charlie was killed. I didn’t do anything to help Kai—didn’t know what Icoulddo—but I will help Declan.
Why does it mean so much to me? I don’t like Declan and he hates my fucking guts, but seeing the agony etched across his face—though he tries to cover it with booze and snark—tugs at me. All I can see is Kai hurting and me doing a terrible fucking job as his friend to be there for him.
Declan will have to take the comfort I wish I’d given Kai.
Declan is clumsily handling his keys when I catch up with him. “Hold up, D,” I say, stopping him from opening the door.
His darkened eyes alight on mine and sends a pang through me. Fuck, he’s hurting. How can no one else see?
I shouldn’t give a fuck about him. We had one night together, but other than that, we don’t get along. Judging by how he just called me out of my name a few minutes ago, there’s no love lost between us.
But I can’t let him go like this. He has no one. Hendrix is dead and Declan refuses to let anyone else take the spot. I don’t remember if he has other friends, but I’d say not. He always seemed like more of a loner than Carter. Maybe that’s why he’s taking Hendrix’s death so hard. Besides being Declan’s best friend, he was probably hisonlyfriend.
He jerks away, glaring at me so hard, it’s a wonder I don’t incinerate on the spot. “What?”
“You’re drunk. Let me drive you home.”
“I don’tneedyour help. Hendrix will…” He stops talking as he stares at me, his eyes going hollow. “I’m good.”
“Come on, let me?—”
“Declan,” Carter says from behind me, that sharp edge to his tone that he only reserves for his brother. “You’re being an idiot. You’re going to wrap yourself around a fucking tree. This is what I mean about you not using your brain. You?—”
Turning to Carter, I get in his face. “Back the fuck off,” I seethe, much to my surprise. Carter’s too, if his wide eyes are anything to go by. “All you do is bug and nitpick. Like you’ve never made a fucking mistake before. Get off his fucking back already.”
Kai comes from the dining room, standing beside his husband. He surprises me when he grabs Carter’s arm. “He’s right, Car. Chill.”
Carter throws his hands up. “Fine.” He glowers at me a moment, then looks at his brother. “You should stay in your old room tonight. Sleep it off. We can talk in the morning.”
“Don’t wanna talk,” Declan says, his words slurring. “I wanna go home. So lemme alone.”
“Declan, I swear toGod,” Carter says, stepping close to Declan as if to grab him.
I block his path. “Not gonna happen, champ. I’ll take him home.”
Kai puts his hands on Carter’s chest and shoves him slightly. “Nico is cool. He won’t hurt your brother.”
Declan chuckles. “He can try. Even drunk, I can put a bullet through his head.”
I look over my shoulder, ticking up an eyebrow. “You can’t put a bullet in me when you’re sober. Let’s stop talking shit so I can get you home.”
“Whatever,” he mutters, slams his keys in my outstretched palm, and walks out the door.
When he’s outside, I turn back to Carter. “I’ll call you when he’s in bed.”
“You fucking better,” he growls and storms off.
Kai shakes his head and turns to me, a smile on his handsome face. “I love when he’s all growly.”
“Barf,” I deadpan.
Face smoothing, Kai says, “Don’t try to kill Declan on the way, no matter what he says.”
“Scout’s honor,” I quip, holding up three fingers while putting my key-filled hand over my chest.
Kai barks a laugh. “Go get Declan before he tries to walk home. Text me when you get there, yeah?”
