Page 62 of Working Out West

“I will be. Anything I need to know?” I asked like I did every morning.

“Nyet. Go eat, or even better, have a shower. You stink. Then we will talk shop.”

“Lies. I do not stink. What about my parents?”

“I know you feel guilty over not being with them, but you saw them yesterday. They are still the same, I am sure.”

“They should go home.”

“You know they won’t until they meet West.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I glanced out the window behind the couch. “I am unsure when that will be orifit will happen.”

“You are not giving up.”

“Do not dare,” I snarled.

Dimitri smiled. “There is the Adrik I know. Your man has been through a lot. I know you know this, but maybe a reminder will help you understand that he will get through this stage.”

“I know,” I said softly. Only, I hated that West hurt, not only physically but mentally. I hated seeing him in any pain, and I hated that it looked like I could not do anything about it.

I wished he would reach out to me, talk to me, let me know what he was thinking.

If he did, I could help.

Shaking my head, I made my way into the kitchen for coffee. Kylo would be here soon to take over while Lucas was at college, so I made sure to get a fresh pot ready for him. I had been sitting with Dimitri going over a few things when a scream ripped through the house. I stood and bolted toward West’s room. Lucas stood down the hall from it, at the bathroom door with his hands pressed against it. Towels and clothes were at his feet.

“What?” I demanded, stopping beside him. Dimitri stood at my back.

“He’s locked the door. Won’t let me in. He wanted a shower and… and since his back was healing okay, I thought it would do him good, but he won’t let me in. I don’t know what’s happening.”

“Move,” I ordered.

When Lucas stayed where he was, Dimitri stepped up behind him and gently shifted him out of the way. Crying started from within the bathroom. I lifted a foot and kicked in the door.

“Get out, get out, get out,” West chanted in a scream.

I stepped through the steam, already knowing what he had done. My heart splintered at seeing West naked and kneeling on the floor in the shower with the hot water running over him.

“Get out!”

Even though he was not looking at me, I shook my head. “Nyet, moya lyubov’.” I pulled my T-shirt over my head and threw it to the floor.

“Get out,” he cried. A whimper followed. Even under the waterproof gauze, his back’s skin was raw from the heat of the hot water splashing down over him. “Please, please leave me. I-I’m dirty.”

My chest cracked open as I shoved my jeans down my legs and opened the shower door. I stepped in, only wearing boxers.

A sob sounded behind me. Lucas.

“Moya lyubov’,I will not leave you,” I told him softly.

“You have to. I’m broken.”

“Nyet.” I leaned over him, sticking my arm in the scorching water, wincing. I quickly added cold to it, adjusting it to where it should be before I crouched at his side. “You may feel broken, moya lyubov’,but you will heal.”

He shook his head. I sat on the floor at his side, my legs around him.

“I’m no good. I-I don’t want you to see me.”

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