Page 28 of Back to You
“I want to be with him the way we were before,” he confessed.“But I don’t know if that’s possible.”
“Why not?He didn’t ghost you.”
“I know, and I’m relieved and grateful, but we still spent four years apart.More than that, he spent four years in a cage.He’s not the man he was when my father told him I was dead, and I’m not the same man I was when I thought Ronan left me.Even though we both know that neither of us left willingly, we still lived with those assumptions for years.He went through hell.Honestly, I’m surprised he can look me in the face.”
Peter was already shaking his head.“None of that matters.In the end, you’re still Vincent and Ronan.You’re mates.Youhaveto work out.”
There was something desperate in Peter’s voice, as if he was trying to convince himself of that.It made Vincent wonder, but he didn’t have the time to ask the questions that were on his lips.“We might be too different now.”
“Youaredifferent, but you’re still you.You’re still mates.”
Peter had never met his mate.It was one of the reasons he was with Lou.His insistence made Vincent wonder if there was more to this, though.He’d have to ask Peter.Maybe not in the same conversation when he told Peter to dump Lou, but soon.There was something going on with Peter, and Vincent needed to be there for him.
Peter had been there for him when he’d lost Ronan, and he still was now that he had Ronan back.Vincent felt a bit guilty about being so focused on his own life and his problems, especially when it was clear that Peter needed his help, but there was nothing he could do about it now.Peter wouldn’t let him in.
Vincent would have to force his way in, but not today.
“I agree,” he said gently.“And I’m not giving up.Ronan and I have a second chance, and as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter how different we are.Wearestill mates, and that means something.I just don’t want to rush into this because we don’t know each other anymore.”
“Then get to know him.”
Vincent huffed.“That’s what I’m doing.I’m getting to know him again, but I’m also protecting myself while I do so.I don’t want either of us to be hurt, even by accident.”
It was clear from Peter’s expression that he disagreed, but thankfully, he didn’t argue.He allowed Vincent to finish getting ready while he ignored his phone that kept vibrating on Vincent’s nightstand.Vincent didn’t say anything about that, either.He didn’t have to ask to know who it was.
“You can stay here for as long as you want,” he told Peter on his way out.“And if he knocks on the door, ignore him.I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s no reason for you to go back to him.“
“I don’t know if he’d agree with that,” Peter muttered.
“I don’t care what he thinks.”
Peter gently pushed Vincent away.“Go see your mate.”
“I am, but this isn’t over, Peter.We’re going to talk about what the fuck you’re doing with that dick.”
For once, Peter didn’t make a joke about how Vincent always called Lou names, which told Vincent all he had to know.
It was time for Peter to dump the asshole.He might need some help, but that was okay.Vincent would provide it.
* * * *
THE LAST THING RONANwanted to do while spending time with Vincent was to talk about Vincent’s father.As far as he was concerned, the man was dead, and that was it.No one should ever mention him again because doing so gave him power.
But Ronan still needed to talk to Vincent.Vincent knew that Cam was going to have someone look into him, and he hadn’t had a problem with that, but Ronan wanted to confirm it.He wanted to get this out of the way before anything else happened, just in case.That was why he was waiting in the parking lot where Vincent always left his car when they had a date.He wanted to get to Vincent as quickly as possible.
He watched him park the car and climb out and couldn’t help but smile.This man really was his.He was Ronan’s, and Ronan was never letting him go.
He smiled at Vincent when his mate stepped up to him and reached up to kiss his cheek.He wanted to grab Vincent and hold him close, but not yet.
“Sorry I’m late,” Vincent said.“Peter is at my apartment.”
Vincent had told Ronan about Peter’s boyfriend and the fact that Peter shouldn’t be with the asshole, but he hadn’t given Ronan any details.As much as Ronan liked Peter, he wasn’t sure he wanted any, but it was clear that Vincent was worried, and Ronan wanted to be there for him.“Want to tell me what’s happening?”
“Not really.I mean, I’d tell you, but there’s nothing either of us can do right now.Peter finally agreed to talk to me, though.”
“That’s good.”
“It is as long as he actually does it.He’s been different since he started dating Lou.I’d blame Lou entirely because of the person he is, but I don’t know if I can.Peter’s choosing to stay with him, you know?”
