Alaric huffs again in answer, more dismissively this time.
“It’s like Dove told you. She’s here because you don’t have the tits for the job.” He laughs, the sound genuine, if not a little surprised, and I chuckle with him. “She’s going to do this job,” I continue. “Then we’re going to pay her whatever she wants in return, and she’ll be gone. She comes and goes. You… you’re never leaving, okay? You weren’t here because of the plan. Oscar brought you here because you belong here. Because you’refamily.”
Alaric’s breath hitches, and when he looks up, his eyes are brimming with unshed tears, even if he’s obviously trying hard to suppress them. “You think so?”
I meet his gaze again, holding it steady. “Iknow so. Now come on, five more.”
He grunts through the last five reps and then sits up, wiping the sweat from his brow. He doesn’t meet my eyes right away, but when he does, his voice is quieter, almost raw. “I’m sorry, Sy. I was just… hanging on, trying to survive. But I think… I think I’m ready to try and start healing now.”
The relief I feel is instant, but I don’t let it show too much. I simply nod, stepping closer and almost clapping him on the shoulder before thinking better of it. “Heal out loud, man. We almost lost you in that silence.”
Alaric’s lips twitch into a small smile. “I’ll try. Right now, all I can give is about ten percent. And you know I wasn’t one hundred percent when I met you guys in the first place.”
I crouch down next to him. “If you give ten percent on a day where you’ve only got ten percent in you, then you’ve still given a hundred percent. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
He nods, the tension easing from his body if only a little. “Okay.”
I grab Alaric’s hand, pull him to a stand, and hug him. “I don’t know how right now either, but we’re going to make it. It’s going to be okay as long as we stick together.”
Alaric is stiff as a board, and I think I’ve fucked up the little progress we made because I can’t seem to respect his boundaries. Then he relaxes into the hug.
Oh my God.
It only lasts a few seconds, but when he steps back, he looks me over, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as he eyes my cropped shirt. “You don’t have any shirts that are long enough for you, you tall-as-fuck idiot?”
I chuckle, clapping my abs for emphasis. “You’re just jealous of this build.”
Alaric huffs and pulls up his shirt, revealing a set of abs. He was broader a few months ago, but even now, he’s still fucking ripped.“Oh yeah? I can have it and not be a show-off. I’m not a stripper.”
“Please,” I scoff. “You’re not pretty enough to be one, dickhead.” He laughs again, shaking his head as he racks the weights. “All right,” I say, ready to leave while we’re on a high. “I’m off to get a shower. Maybe find myself arealstripper.”
The only stripper I’m interested in.
Just as I’m heading for the door, Koen, Levi, and Ezra walk in.
Great. So much for leaving on a good note.
Koen’s gaze lands on Alaric. “Ric, I?—”
“I want to help,” Alaric interrupts, holding up a hand. “I’m going to help.”
“That’s… amazing. Thank you, bro.” Koen’s eyes flick to me for a moment, and I catch the subtle nod of appreciation before he turns back to Alaric.
“You’re welcome,” I mutter under my breath, smirking, and Ezra rolls his eyes at me.
Okay, maybe he’s the one who should get the praise for this.
Koen steps closer. “We saw her today. She’s good, but we’d like your input.”
Alaric nods. “That’s okay. I’ll help where I can. But…” A shadow of hesitation crosses his face. “I don’t think I’m ready to leave the house.”
Ezra, standing beside Levi, doesn’t miss a beat. “She’s not coming into the house. No way we let her in here.”
Levi rolls his eyes. “Oh, come on, you big grump.”
Ezra’s sharp look silences him immediately. “I saidno, Dove.”
Levi shudders, his playful expression dropping. Ezra rarely pulls theI’m the oldest and the boss herecard, but when he does, it means he’s not messing around.
