Chapter 11
Dominic
I had mixed emotions as I knocked on Ryan’s door.
On the one hand, I wanted to make a good impression on Xander. He was Ryan’s best friend. Someone who was important to him.
But on the other, I hated the fucker on principle. By Ryan’s own telling, this man had dusted him off after I’d knocked him down. He’d been there for him in every way I hadn’t.
I tried not to think about the fact that they’d also been intimate. If I lingered on it for too long, I’d never be able to move past it.
And I had to. Xander had earned his place in Ryan’s life, whereas I was demanding one. I had no right to judge Ryan for anything that had happened in the past.
As much as my gut might disagree.
The door swung open and my resolve faltered.
The man in Ryan’s home was easily my height, maybe even an inch taller.
He matched me in muscle tone and breadth too.
His dark hair was in the same style mine had been up until a few weeks ago.
I didn’t know what I hated more—his chiselled jawline or his smouldering brown eyes.
All in all, the fucker was hot. Attractive in an effortless way that had me grinding my teeth.
He smirked lazily, leaning against the doorframe. “Hello. And who are you?”
I clenched my jaw instinctively. Xander wasn’t going to make this easy. “I think you know the answer to that.”
Xander’s smirk only grew. “I don’t know that I do. After all, I’ve met everyone important in Ryan’s life, but I’ve never met you, so…”
Prick. “I was in the military. I would’ve been here if I could.”
“Liar.” Xander tilted his head. “I was in the military too. Made it back during every shore leave. Ask me how hard it was to do that.”
I’d never wanted to punch someone more. Not because he was wrong, but because he was right. I could’ve visited Ryan. I should have. I knew that now.
But I hadn’t known it then. I’d believed that coming back and having to leave again would fuck with his heart even more. That staying away was the best way to protect him.
I’d made the wrong choice. Wasn’t the first time, and I doubted it’d be the last.
I didn’t punch Xander. Instead, I exhaled slowly, reminding myself that he was important to Ryan. “You’re right, I should have. There’s a lot I should have done but didn’t. I can’t change that. All I can do is make better choices going forward.”
His gaze flicked down to the pot in my hands. “What’s that?”
“Soup,” I said, remembering my excuse for dropping by. “I made it for Ryan. He’s been sick and I thought it might be good on his throat.”
Was that approval that flashed through Xander’s eyes? “In that case, you can come on in.”
He didn’t make much room for me to pass, forcing me to brush against him. If I hadn’t been so on edge, I might’ve rolled my eyes at his attempt at intimidation. After a decade in the army, I was more than familiar with dick-measuring competitions.
As I stepped into the lounge, Ryan walked out of the bathroom. “Dominic? What are you doing here?”
The stress that had hovered over me since leaving this morning finally lifted. He didn’t seem as angry as earlier, which was something. “I brought you some soup.”
“Oh.” Ryan sounded surprised. “You didn’t need to do that. You’ve already filled my fridge with enough homemade food to see me through a blizzard.”
I tried to ignore Xander, who was watching us intently from his position leaning against the wall. “I know, but I figured soup would be easier to digest.”
The shy smile he gave me had my long-dead heart beating faster. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“How are you feeling?” I asked quietly, pretending we didn’t have an avid audience. “Your colour’s better, but I’ve been worried about you. Did you manage the drive okay?”
“I was fine.” He gave me a small eye-roll. “I told you I would be.”
“I know, but I could’ve driven you. It wouldn’t have been a problem.”
“I was sick, Dom, not dying.”
“Shadow, I would’ve done it even if you were one hundred percent healthy.”
Ryan blushed. “Trust me, you wouldn’t have been happy to be in that car with Xander for an hour. Really, I was doing you a kindness.”
“Rude.” Xander shoved off the wall and prowled over. “I’m a fucking delight.”
“Angel Delight?” Ryan quipped back almost immediately. “Because your resolve to behave is about as solid as that is.”
Xander nudged Ryan with his shoulder. “Excuse me, but I was in the Royal Marines. I was very well behaved.”
“Please.” Ryan rolled his eyes. “That’s like Dom trying to tell me the army has changed him. He’s just as keen to break the rules as you are, so don’t give me that shit.”
My attention darted between them during this exchange, and I marvelled at the easy camaraderie they shared. The jealousy I’d been expecting was there, but it wasn’t as strong as the other emotion.
Happiness.
I was happy that Ryan had made such a good friend. That he felt comfortable enough to bicker with Xander. It made him happy, that much was clear.
And that made me happy. Very, very happy.
“Speaking of Dominic,” Xander said, gesturing at the soup in my hands. “Why don’t you take that from him?”
The pot had barely left my fingers when Xander grinned widely at me. “I’ve waited a long time to do this.”
I didn’t even have time to blink before his fist collided with my jaw. The hit was hard enough to send me flying back into the wall and sliding to the floor.
“Xander,” Ryan roared, his voice breaking with the remnants of his flu. “What the fuck, man?”
My head was still spinning as Ryan put the soup down and dropped to his knees. The next thing I knew, his hands were gently cupping my face. “Dom, are you okay?”
I was more than okay. Ryan was voluntarily touching me. He was touching me. I never wanted him to stop. I’d let Xander punch me a thousand more times if this was the end result. “I’m fine. I deserved it.”
“Damn right you did,” Xander said, his easy smile a stark contrast to his words. “But it’s okay. All is forgiven now.”
“All is not fucking forgiven,” Ryan snarled, glaring up at his friend. “You could’ve hurt him, Xander. What the fuck?”
“I wouldn’t have hurt him badly,” Xander said, exasperated. “Besides, I didn’t hit him as hard as I originally planned to.”
I smirked inwardly. “You didn’t?”
“The soup helped.” Xander held a hand out to me. “Plus looking after Ryan while he was sick. Had to do it once and I know what a whiny fucker he can be when he’s ill. If you stayed through all of that then you deserve to be in my good books.”
Ryan’s fingers dropped from my face as he stared at Xander’s outstretched hand. From how he paled, I knew what he expected me to do. What I absolutely would’ve done ten years ago.
Knocked the shit out of Xander and escalated the situation past the point of return.
But this was the new me. I reached up and accepted Xander’s hand, letting him pull me to my feet.
“That was you holding back?” I said jokingly, rubbing at my jaw. “Shit, man, I don’t want to be on the receiving end of you at full strength.”
“Then don’t ever hurt Ryan again,” Xander said bluntly. His humorous mask slipped for a moment, and I found myself staring at the cold monster beneath. It was there and gone in a blink. “And I won’t have a reason to.”
“You shouldn’t be punching people at all.” Ryan shoved his way between us, his arm going around my waist. I froze. Did he realise he was touching me again? “You’re a boxer. You could seriously hurt someone, Xan.”
“Yes, but I know how to not hurt someone seriously too,” Xander said distractedly.
His eyes were narrowed on where Ryan was now pressed into my side before flicking up to my face.
I didn’t know what he saw there. Was it my terror that Ryan would realise and move away?
The fact that I was holding my breath, like the mere rise and fall of my chest might alert him to our closeness?
Whatever it was, it had Xander smiling softly. “I think Dominic and I are going to get on great.”
I inclined my head. I had to talk now. It’d be weird if I didn’t. “I think so too.”
“Max, on the other hand.” Xander whistled. “Fair warning, I won’t be holding back with him.”
I pictured it and chuckled. “Can I be there when you’re introduced?”
Ryan whipped his head around to stare at me. “So you can stop it happening?”
“No, Shadow, so I can watch.”
Xander barked out a laugh. “Yeah, I was right. We’re going to get on like a house on fire.”
“But it’s Max,” Ryan whispered, searching my face. “You always defend him.”
I turned to face him, giving in to the temptation to cup his cheeks, just as he had with me earlier.
“Not when it comes to you, Shadow. I hurt you, and I deserved to be punched. Max also hurt you and, worse, he hasn’t apologised yet.
So yeah, he definitely fucking deserves it.
If he doesn’t reach out soon, he’ll have me lining up behind Xander for a crack at him myself. ”
“Men,” Ryan huffed, pulling out from under my arm. My heart ached until I realised he wasn’t moving away for any negative reason, but just to pick up the soup. “So fucking dramatic, honestly. How women got the reputation as the emotional sex is beyond me.”
I smiled indulgently as I watched him walk from the room. “Do you think he’s forgotten he’s a man too?”
I turned back, expecting to see Xander grinning along with me. But all traces of joviality were gone. His gaze was ruthless as he took a step closer to me and dropped his voice low. “I mean it, man. Hurt Ryan again and I’ll fucking end you. Got it?”
If he thought I’d be pissed off by his threats, he was wrong. I was thrilled that Ryan had such a friend in his corner. He deserved it more than anyone. “Got it. I’m not going to tell you again that I won’t though. I’ll prove it by being here every day for him.”
Xander glared at me darkly. “Make sure you do that.”