Page 25 of The Mechanics of Lust

Charlie slapped me on the shoulder. “You were so wasted. It was fucking epic.”

“Shut up.” I tried to noogie her head but she darted into the mudroom and out of reach and I followed.

“Hey, Zach,” Gill called out to me. “Can I talk to you for a sec before you go?”

I swallowed a groan. Gil had tried to corner me twice since Luke had left the day before, but I’d seen him coming both times and skedaddled. I damn well knew he’d set me up when he’d left Luke and me together while he went with Holden to find those books, and I wasn’t keen on whatever else he had to say. Had he seen us in the kitchen? I had no idea.

I wandered back into the kitchen and tried not to look worried. “You need something?”

Holden’s curious gaze bounced between the two of us, and he looked about to say something when Gil kissed his cheek before patting his butt. “No need to wait. I’ll bringafternoon teaout to you later.” He winked and a flush rose up Holden’s cheeks, and I really, really didn’t want to know what that was all about.

As soon as Holden was gone, Gil waved me to a chair, but I remained standing, not sure what to expect. He sighed and leaned back against the granite worktop. “Okay, have it your way.” He folded his arms, his blond hair almost gold in the slice of sun that fell through the new skylights above the kitchen island, his shrewd hazel eyes resting calmly on mine.

I returned his gaze with a cool one of my own. “Why do I feel like I’m fourteen and have been called to the principal’s office?”

He snorted. “I don’t know. Whydoyou feel like that?”

I wagged my finger at him. “Nope. I’m not playing any psychobabble games with you. I’d lose in a heartbeat. What do you want?”

He chewed on his lip for a second, then asked, “How are things with your family?”

I blinked, pretty sure that wasn’t what he wanted to ask me, but whatever. “Dad’s a blast, as usual,” I answered a little sourly. “Whenever we run into each other, he mostly curses and pretends he hasn’t seen me.”

Gil winced in sympathy as I continued. “Mum has sent a couple of texts so that’s something, I guess. And Jules is doing his best to keep in touch.” The thought of my brother brought a smile to my face. “We meet up in Oakwood occasionally, but it’s hard for both of us. With me gone, Dad’s riding Jules hard and it’s getting him down. Jules knows the station as well as Dad, but he’s not allowed to makeanydecisions on his own. Still, things could be worse, right? Now ask me what you really want to know.”

Gil forced a half-smile and relaxed his arms. “That obvious, huh?”

This time my smile was genuine. “Pretty much.”

Gil gave me a measured look. “He’s not a bad guy. You do know that, right?”

No points for guessing whohewas. I sighed and dropped my head to consider the slate floors and exactly how to answer his question before looking up again. “I guess I’m beginning to see that.”

“Good.” Gil appeared relieved. “But to be honest, I don’t care if you like him or not, but I do wanthimto feel welcome on the station withoutyoufeeling uncomfortable while he’s here, and so I’m checking if there’s anything I should know. Any reason for the animosity between you?”

My stomach sank. Considering I was Holden’s best mate, his one-time friend with benefits, and the fact I was virtually living in both of their pockets, Gil had been incredibly understanding and kind to me. The last thing I wanted was to make things awkward between him and Luke. “No. I promise. There’s nothing like that.”

When I didn’t offer anything more, he pressed. “Holden says I should apologise for leaving you guys alone yesterday, for forcing the issue. I suppose I hoped you might... I don’t know, talk maybe? It seems whenever Luke walks in, you walk out.”

A fair and accurate observation.

I studied the two rectangles of brilliant blue sky visible through the skylight while I got some kind of response together. Then I decided the truth would have to do. “It’s stupid, I know, because it’s none of my business, but I suppose I didn’t like what he did to you. I know you guys have sorted things out, but it coloured my view of him from the start. It’s my problem, and I’m working on it.”

The relief in Gil’s eyes was immediate and it occurred to me he’d been genuinely worried something had happened between Luke and me. He looked thoughtful for a moment and then gave me a long, level look. “I’m going to tell you this for no other reason than we’re a family on this station, you included, understand?”

I nodded.

He drew a long breath and blew it out slowly. “I was as much to blame as Luke for our marriage imploding, in some ways, more.”

I blinked, pretty sure the disbelief was etched deep upon my face.

“Now that—” He stabbed a finger my way. “That right there is what’s tripping you up. I appreciate your loyalty, Zach, especially all things considered, but mark my words, I’m no angel. After Callie died, I made it almost impossible for Luke to stay. In his shoes, I’m not sure I wouldn’t have done exactly the same thing and left him.”

“But—” I snapped my mouth shut.

“We both wish we’d done things differently, but ifIdon’t hold a grudge andLukedoesn’t, thennobodyelse should. I’m in love with Holden, Zach, but Luke is one of the best men I’ve ever met, and he’s been through hell, the same as I have. He made the move down here for much the same reasons I did, so think of him what you will, but don’t base your opinion on half-truths and assumptions. I left you alone yesterday because I think you could be friends if you let yourselves.”

I’m pretty sure I gaped, and Gil smiled wryly, adding, “Yeah, you might rub each other the wrong way, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get on.”

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