“Glad things are working out for you two. When are you going to tell Luca?” I hate hiding it from him.
It’s only been a few days, but he’s still angry with me for running off, leaving him on our wedding day.
Apparently, my intentions don’t matter, only what I did, which was humiliate the family.
He’s been terse around me, disappearing the moment I try to speak with him about anything. He’s not home for any meals, making it an easy excuse not to sit down and talk.
And while I know he’s busy with hockey, so are Ashton and Liam, and I see them more than I see my own husband.
That word feels weird as it skates through my mind.
Husband.
Until death do us part.
The only vows that he probably feels true to, because I know that loving me isn’t one of them.
“Take a break,” Ashton says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah, I need to pick up Zeke.”
“If you ever need help with him,” Ashton offers.
“Thanks. You’re a good friend, even if you’re lying to your best friend.” I glare at him, wanting him to tell Luca about his relationship with Nova.
It’s selfish of me, I know, but if Luca is focused on Nova, maybe he won’t be so mad at me?
The front door swings open, and I close my textbook. I really should put everything away. I’m done for today, my homework abandoned. I didn’t get it done—maybe after dinner when I have more time to stare at it blankly because I suck at statistics.
Luca walks past us with his backpack and does a double take when he sees Ashton and me in the study lounge.
His eyes tighten as he glances at the two of us, like we’ve been caught doing something immoral. “What the hell is going on in here?”
Ashton stretches his arms and rests one hand on my shoulder, holding me like one might hold a girlfriend.
I glance back at Ashton, wondering what the hell he’s doing.
“Ashton saw I was struggling and offered to help,” I say.
Luca huffs and shakes his head. “She doesn’t need your help, Ashton. You’ve done enough as it is, stay away from my wife!”
Ashton stands and stalks around the table, coming to face Luca.
He isn’t afraid of him, nor does he back down.
“Why? Are you jealous?” Ashton tilts his head, sizing him up. “The way I see it, your wife needed a little one-on-one tutoring and I was willing to give it to her, unlike you.”
Innuendo drips from his words, a sinful smile spreads across his lips.
Ashton is taunting Luca and loving every minute of it.
My mouth drops, wondering why the hell Ashton is being a jerk. He knows our relationship is tremulous at the moment. Is he trying to make matters worse?
Luca drops his backpack and lunges at Ashton, wrestling him to the ground as he starts throwing punches at his best friend.
Ashton blocks the majority of them with his arm, but one gets slammed into his ribcage and he grimaces.
“Stop it!” I scream, jumping up from the table. I don’t know how to break two boys apart when they’re fighting, least of all without getting hit.
