Page 1 of Breaking the Surface
Chapter One
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THE ROSES ON THE KITCHENcounter should have been Peter’s first warning.
He froze in the doorway of the apartment, keys still dangling from his fingers.What looked like a dozen red roses sat in a cheap glass vase he’d never seen before.Their petals were already starting to brown at the edges, like they weren’t fresh.Lou’s version of romance was always a little off.
“You’re late.”
Peter’s stomach dropped.Lou stood in the kitchen archway, arms crossed over his chest, wearing the smile that never reached his eyes, the smile that meant Peter had done something wrong, even if he didn’t know what yet.
“I—I didn’t know you were coming over.”Peter kept his voice steady as he closed the door behind him.“I was at Vincent’s, helping him move.I texted you.”
“Yeah, you did.”Lou moved into the living room, and Peter’s heart started racing.He already knew how this would end.“You’re always at Vincent’s lately, and now he’s moved in with his boyfriend.”
Peter put down his keys, buying himself time to think.Every instinct screamed at him to run, but that would only make it worse.He swallowed and told himself to breathe.“He’s my best friend.I haven’t seen him much since—”
“Since he found his perfect little boyfriend.”Lou’s voice was light, but Peter had learned to hear the anger underneath.He’d been with Lou long enough to know this was a trap.“Must be nice.Playing house with two gorgeous men in love.What’s it like, Peter?Do they let you watch?”
“What?”Peter’s hands clenched at his sides.His body flushed with embarrassment and anger.“Lou, that’s disgusting.Vincent is myfriend.”It was all he’d ever been, and all Peter had ever wanted from him.
“Is he?”Lou stepped closer.Peter tracked his movement like he was watching a predator, even though Lou was human.His instincts screamed at him to shift and let his kelpie form take over, to run for the nearest body of water where he’d be safe.
But Lou couldn’t know.No one could know what Peter was—especially not Lou, who’d spent their entire relationship making disparaging comments aboutanimals pretending to be human.
“Because from where I’m standing,” Lou continued, “you’re spending an awful lot of time with a happy couple.Makes a guy wonder if you’re angling for an invitation.A nice little threesome with your best friend and his boyfriend.”
Peter’s hands shook.“You’re out of your mind.Vincent and Ronan are together.I would never—” He stopped himself, again, recognizing the trap.Defending himself would only make Lou angrier.But staying silent felt like accepting the accusation.
He couldn’t win.
The backhand came so fast that Peter didn’t have time to dodge.His head snapped to the side, and he tasted blood as pain exploded across his cheekbone, radiating down his jaw.
“Don’t.”Lou’s hand fisted in Peter’s shirt, yanking him close enough that Peter could see how red his eyes were.He smelled of alcohol, which wasn’t a surprise.“Don’t you dare lie to me.I came home early to surprise you, to do something nice for once, since you always complain.”He gestured at the roses.“And you’re not even here.Instead, you were withthemagain.”
“I told you I was going to help Vincent move.”Peter’s voice came out trembling.He hated how weak he sounded.
Lou shoved him hard.Peter stumbled backward, his leg hitting the edge of the couch.His kelpie form pushed against his skin, demanding he fight back and protect himself.
He couldn’t.If Lou saw what he was, he’d either beat him to death or sell him off to whoever offered him the most money.
“Youtoldme?”Lou laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound.“Oh, you told me.Like that makes it okay.Like I don’t notice you spending all your time with your new friends.What, you think they’re better than me?That they can give you something I can’t?You think you’re one of them?”
That last question made Peter’s blood run cold.Lou was talking about the pack.Did he suspect what Peter was?Peter had been so careful.
“I don’t think that.”Peter’s cheek throbbed.He could already feel the bruise forming there.“Lou, please.I was just helping Vincent.”
“You’re alwaysjustsomething.”Lou moved closer again, and Peter made himself small.He’d learned to do that the hard way.“Just visiting.Just helping.Just being a good friend.When do you think about being a good boyfriend, huh?When do you think aboutme?”
Lou grabbed Peter’s arm, his fingers digging in hard enough to bruise Peter there, too.Peter couldn’t help but flinch.
He thought about Lou all the time.He’d organized his entire life around managing Lou’s temper.“I’m sorry.I should’ve—”
“Should’ve what?Shouldhave been here?”Lou jerked him closer.“Shouldhave appreciated what you have?Because let me tell you something, Peter.You think thosepeoplegive a damn about you?You’re nothing special.I’m the only one who puts up with your shit.”
The words were almost worse than the backhand.Peter had heard some version of the speech so many times he could probably recite it from memory, but it never hurt less.Part of him wondered if Lou was right.Maybe hewasnothing special.Maybe he didn’t deserve better.
Then he thought of Vincent today.He’d been happy in a way Peter had never seen before Vincent found Ronan again.And Ronan had been so nice.He’d welcomed Peter, had offered him lunch, and had made him feel welcome in the home he shared with Vincent.And the other pack members Peter had met had been just as friendly and had made him feel like he belonged.
