Page 27 of Back to You
He hated him.Fulton was gone, but Vincent’s resentment and hatred were still very much present.He suspected he would hate his father for a long time—maybe forever—and he was okay with that.Even though he and Ronan had a second chance, he couldn’t ignore the fact that they wouldn’t have needed one if Fulton hadn’t gotten involved.
“Don’t you have a date to get ready for?”Peter asked from where he was spread out on the bed.
Vincent forced himself to smile at him.“I do, and Iamgetting ready.”
“Are you?Because to me, it looks like you’re staring at the wall and wallowing in your thoughts.What’s going on in that head of yours?You should be happy.”
“I am.”
Peter arched a brow.He looked comfortable on Vincent’s bed, wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt with a hole in the seam.This was how Vincent liked to see him.It was better than how he was when Lou was around.
“Happy people generally don’t glare at their closet.Didn’t we already have this conversation?Ronan isn’t going to care what you’re wearing.”
“That’s not what this is.”
“What is it, then?You know you can talk to me.”
“Yeah, but you really have enough problems.I don’t want to add to that.”
Peter sat up and frowned.“I don’t have problems.”
It was Vincent’s turn to frown.He didn’t have to say anything.Peter knew what he was thinking about.
Peter shook his head.“Look, now isn’t the moment.You have a date, and you don’t want to make Ronan wait.”
“I don’t.It doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be a moment at all.”
“What do you want me to tell you?”
“Why you’re with that asshole would be a good start.You deserve so much better.”
“Maybe I don’t.”
“This isn’t you talking.This is Lou convincing you that you don’t deserve better because he’s afraid you’re going to dump him.Which you should, by the way.He doesn’t deserve to be with anyone, let alone you.”
“Can you drop it?”
Vincent wanted to say no, but he didn’t have time now, and he could see how uncomfortable Peter was.He never wanted his friend to wish they weren’t spending time together, but at the same time, something needed to be done.“I’ll drop it, but only for now.It’s time to talk about what the fuck you’re doing with him.”
“Is having fun an answer you’d accept?”
Vincent snorted.“I would if youwerehaving fun.You’re miserable with him, though, and I get it.Lou is a miserable kind of person, but that’s why you shouldn’t be with him.”
Peter’s shoulders slumped.“Fine.We’ll talk about it later.”
It wasn’t what Vincent wanted to hear, but it was better than what he usually got out of Peter when they talked about it, so he gave up.Talking about Lou was a step forward, and maybe he’d be able to convince his best friend to dump the dickhead.
“Now, let’s focus on you,” Peter continued, leaning forward as he pointed at something in the closet.“Are you finally ready to sleep with him, or is it still too soon?”
Vincent rolled his eyes and grabbed the pair of jeans Peter was pointing at.“I’ll wear these, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with him.”
“Honestly, I don’t get it.You know Ronan.The two of you were together for six years, and it’s not like he left you because he wanted to.You know he loves you and that he never stopped, so why aren’t you all in?”
Vincent swallowed and moved to start changing.Peter wasn’t wrong.Vincent did know Ronan and that Ronan would never hurt him willingly.He knew that Ronan wouldn’t leave him, but part of him was still afraid.What if something happened?What if, for some reason, they lost each other again?Vincent didn’t think he could survive losing his mate the way he had the first time again.He didn’t think Ronan would be able to survive that, either, and he didn’t actually think Ronan would leave him.
He was just afraid.
Anyone would be in his place, and he wondered if Peter understood that.As far as Peter was concerned, Vincent had everything he’d lost back.In a way, it was true.
