Page 7 of Dirty Martini
“Next week.”
This time, I don’t bother hiding my irritation. “And you’re just telling menow?”
“I didn’t know, okay!” he defends, throwing his hands in the air. “Mom and Dad were going to get him his own apartment, but that fell through.”
“And why is that?”
Elton and Everest are well off.Verywell off. Thanks to his dad running a pharmaceutical company, they’ve never wanted for anything. They’re renting this penthouse for Elton and me, and I’m sure they can afford another just for Everest.
“They’re worried about him,” he admits, concern marring his features. “Apparently, he hasn’t been doing too well. I’m not too sure about the details, but they’re hoping maybe some familiarity might help him out.”
I should be disgusted that hearing Everest struggling gives me smug satisfaction.Good. That fucker deserves every single bit of misery. Again, I keep that nasty thought in check. “Sure.”
“I know that he’s grown apart from us, but you always did a great job of helping me look out for him, and I’m hoping you’ll do the same this summer while I’m gone.”
I can’t stop myself from grinding my teeth. The fuck am I going to do? I snarl, but only internally. Nope. If Everest is going to be here, I plan on avoiding him like the plague. He can figure his own shit out as long as he leaves me alone. If he flounders during the summer semester, desperately needing some guidance, screw him. “No.”
“Rhys—”
“I’m not a goddamn babysitter,” I bite out, a little more aggressively than I should. I know he doesn’t understand my reaction. To him, I grew apart from Everest just like he did. He doesn’t realize that his brother played a part in fundamentally changing my future. He doesn’t understand that I don’t want anything to do with him. “If he’s a grown adult like you said he is, he’ll be fine. I’ve got too much going on to watch out for him.”
“That’s bullshit,” he scoffs, shaking his head. “Your social life is basically me. What could you possibly have to do that would take up all your time?”
“Work.”
“You text all the time at work. Next.”
“He’s going to be a cockblock.”
“You barely hook up.”
“I…” I don’t have anything else to say. From his point of view, there should be no reason I can’t do this for him. Watching his baby brother and making sure nobody takes advantage of him is the least I can do for everything Elton’s done for me.
But. I. Don’t. Fucking. Want. To.
Then Elton gives me those pouty eyes that always get to me. “Please, Rhys? Everest has been through a lot. Remember his collarbone injury?”
I shake my head. “That was ages ago.”
“I don’t know. I just want him to be okay. I hate to know that he’s struggling.” Elton drops his head, letting out a puff of air as he tugs at his roots. “Maybe I should stay. Valencia can wait. I?—”
“No!” I practically yell, cereal sloshing as I sit up quickly. “You can’t bail on this trip, man. You’ve been looking forward to it.”
“Family is more important. If Everest needs me?—”
“I’ll do it,” I say before I can think better of it. “I got you.”
I’ll do it because there’s no way in hell Elton’s giving up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I’ve got to just… I don’t fucking know? Make sure Everest doesn’t get himself killed? I can do that.
I’m not going to like it, but I’ll do anything for Elton, even if that means killing myself in the process. Because now, I’m the keeper of the guy who ruined my entire fucking life.
Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it.
Elton tenses for a second, contemplation and hesitation still filling his eyes, but then he gives me that award-winning smile. “Thanks, Rhys. Seriously, bro. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. It’s gonna set me at ease knowing someone’s got his back.”
Got his back.And here I always thought the only time I’d be at Everest’s back was if I was sticking a knife through it.
“So,” I say after a second, leaning into my seat, cereal forgotten as my hunger disappears. “Next week?”
