Page 84 of Rules to Love By

“Thanks.” Marcus let out a breath, still watching Tris pointedly keep his back turned.

“You had us really worried.”

“And I’m really sorry. It wasn’t smart. And I should have let someone know where I was.”

“Yeah. You should have.” He patted Marcus’s arm.

“Sit.” From beside the grill, Kreed pointed at the high stools by the counter. “I’ll make you some breakfast.”

“You don’t have to do tha—”

Lucky raised both eyebrows. It was enough to shut him up, and he pulled out a stool.

From across the room, Marcus could hear the sounds of Tris typing on his phone. He wanted to ask what he was doing but didn’t dare. Eventually Tris turned around and held the phone up. “I told Eli you’re home. He was freaking the hell out.”

“Why?”

Tris shrugged as he stuck the phone in the back pocket of his skinny jeans. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because he had this crazy impression the two of you were starting something.”

“I don’t know about that.” Eli owed him nothing.

“Then what do you fucking know, because—”

“Tris.” Kreed waved his flipper at the toaster. “Please.”

Tris turned on him. “I am allowed to be mad at him. He scared me!”

“I know.”

“God, you are infuriating. Are you ever not calm and fucking Zen as shit?”

Lucky snorted. “Call his stove purple. Go ahead.”

Kreed mock-growled at him. “Aubergine.”

“See?” Lucky grinned at his lover, expression indulgent, but only for a second before he turned a more serious expression on Tris. “You can be mad, but attacking him and swearing at him doesn’t help anyone.”

“It helps me feel better.”

Marcus piped up. “Does it, though?”

Silence fell again as Tris stared at him, gaze piercing and angry. “No.”

“Come here.” Marcus stood up and held out his arms.

Tris hurried over to wrap himself back around Marcus. His whole body shook.

“I am so sorry.” Marcus buried his face in the side of Tris’s neck. “I wasn’t thinking. I should have known better.”

“Yeah. You should have.” After a final squeeze, Tris moved away. “Do better.”

“I will. I promise.”

“’Kay.” Tris swiped a hand across his face and took another step away. “I’ll make the toast,” he told the room in general.

Kreed gave a short nod. “Good deal. Eggs all ’round. Luce, you want to cut some fruit?”

“Sure.” She had remained quietly in a corner, folding napkins and watching the scene, always flicking her gaze towards Jake, who’d been studiously making coffee and filling mugs.

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