Marcus was livid. Everyone he loves was just threatened, and I think his big-brother radar went off the rails. Marcus had a long, hushed conversation with John, who I learned is the same John who has been helping Marcus with Martin, and then John went to bed. I’m not sure what they talked about, but Marcus left the conversation looking slightly calmer.
Now, while Marcus helps Trey and Link with the clean-up, Charlie and I are sitting on the porch steps, huddled under a blanket, while she fills me in on all the crazy shit going on with Fiona and her band of merry men—Lincoln’s words, not mine.
“So is this sort of violence normal for your family gatherings?” I quip around a yawn. I’m tired as fuck.
Charlie chuckles and looks at me out of the corner of her eye. “I mean, there was the time my ex triedto beat up Seb and then shot Link, but we haven’t had anything too crazy happen since then.”
“Until now.”
She nods. “Until now.”
I watch Marcus hold up a sheet of plywood, appreciating the way his muscles strain against the sleeves of his shirt while Link nails the wood to the side of the house.
“So you’re into my brother, huh?”
I study Charlie for a moment, not surprised that she can read the situation. I resist a smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“He’s straight,” she says matter-of-factly.
I just nod. It’s not my secret to share.
Charlie raises an eyebrow. “What’s been going on? Tell me about it. Marcus isn’t great with relationships, romantic or otherwise.” She scrunches her nose. “Just ask Lizzy.”
I snort a laugh. “I really need the full story on what he did to Lizzy.”
“Marcus deserved her ire, trust me.” She shrugs. “And not to make light of her feelings, but Marcus was young, and she wanted him forever.” Her gaze moves to her brother, looking pensive. “Marcus doesn’t let people get close to him. I think it’s his dad’s fault. He always had to be the perfect son, and that was hard on him.” She looks back at me. “At least that asshole isn’t around anymore.”
I nod but internally wince. She’s going to be furious when she finds out he’s actually had his tentacles in their lives the entire time.
“So,” Charlie probes again. “Has something happened between you two?”
I consider telling her everything because I so badly want to talk to someone other than Marion and Tris about this, but I shake my head.
“Nothing,” I say quietly. “There’s nothing between us. I’m just the decorator.”
Charlie doesn’t push me for more. She leans against my body, resting her head against my shoulder.
I close my eyes, enjoying the comfort of her warmth while I try to ignore the miserable feeling in my gut that wants to float to the surface. “You smell good, Kitty,” I murmur.
“So do you.”
I’m almost asleep when I hear footsteps approaching us, and I crack my eyes open and look up at Marcus. He wipes sweat from his brow. “You two look cozy,” he says with a gentle smile. I can tell that he has a huge soft spot for Charlie, and I can’t blame him. She’s one of my favorite people. “You ready to go?” he asks me.
I nod and stand, pulling Charlie up with me. She groans in protest. “Marcus, I was so warm.”
Lincoln walks up behind Marcus, stomping mud from his boots before he steps up onto the porch. “I’m sure Trey and I can take care of that, Sunshine,” he says with a smirk.
“Yeah, I guess,” she says grumpily.
Link gives her a dark look and swats her ass as he heads into the house, causing her to giggle.
We follow him inside.
Trey has managed to sweep up most of the glass and is sitting at the bar, frowning at his phone when we enter. He glances up, taking me in. “You guys headed out?”
Marcus and I nod.
Trey stands and walks up to me, giving me a once-over before bringing me in close for a hug. I squeeze him back, pressing my face to his neck, and a lump clogs my throat. I don’t know why I’m so emotional right now.
