“That’s not what I meant,” Xander said. “But I think it’s time you tell me what’s been going on with him. Tell me about Dominic.”
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 upuntil 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 wasright. 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 droppingby. “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?”