Page 80 of The Spare
We skipped the normal weekend ritual of staying in bed for a while after waking. I sat on the kitchen counter as the coffee brewed, fully dressed as we were expecting Xander any minute, when Marcus joined me. He pushed my legs apart and wrapped his hands around my waist so he could pull me closer.
“How long do we have?” His face was lost in my still-damp hair. He was missing the morning romp in bed he had become accustomed to.
“Not long enough forthat.” A new voice filled the kitchen loudly. We pulled apart quickly to find Xander grinning widely. “You guys have to lock your doors if you’re going do that.”
Marcus cleared his throat and took a step back. “Hey, Xander.”
“Don’t look so embarrassed.” Xander walked through the kitchen, dropping his luggage in a corner. “I’ve walked in on her doing much worse.”
“Careful,” I warned, feeling Marcus’s hand on my waist tighten its grasp. Shifting around him, I hopped off the counter and ran to Xander with the energy of a child seeing Santa. Xander laughed and stretched out his arms, awaiting his hug.
We all settled on the couch with coffee. It was the first time Marcus and I were a couple around anyone we knew, outside of Penelope. I was expecting it to be awkward, or at least a little odd, but it felt like we all picked up where we left off. Xander and I talked a mile a minute, while Marcus chimed in occasionally.
“You guys need to tell Henry.” Xander’s demand dampened the mood. Marcus’s relaxed body tightened at the mention of my brother. It was bothering him more and more lately.
“I'll tell him.” I let out a long sigh. I knew Marcus was planning to take the brunt of that, but it was probably better from me.
“You really think he’s going to be that upset? He likes Marcus way more than anyone else you’ve dated.”
“Don’t underestimate the Amari temper.” Marcus stood from his place next to me and pressed a quick kiss on my lips. “Stay out of trouble.” He looked at Xander as he walked past.
Marcus was leaving for his Zurich trip later in the afternoon. I hadn’t brought up the trip again. I couldn’t pin down what exactly I was angry about. He and Xander made plans for after his return, and Xander seemed fine with it.
“Does he not understand thatyoursis the Amari temper he needs to worry about?” Xander grinned.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Let’s go.”
* * *
Xander and I spent the day at the British Museum, mainly because Xander loved to ask docents about how the museum came upon all those lovely artifacts. It was also an excellent place to get lost in quiet conversation. We had an over-under on how long it would take him to make the docent storm off. His record was three minutes. I guessed today would be about five. We were busy catching up, after all.
“I’ve been seeing him pop up in the tabloids again,” Xander said as we turned the corner to the Benin vases, eager to ask the docent when the museum planned to return them.
Our conversation shifted to Henry and his latest round of bad press. He never had much luck with the papers. He was an easy target. As his ascension to CEO neared, it seemed like the old Henry, the one who used to get in all sorts of mischief with Marcus, wanted one last hurrah.
I ignored the prickle of jealousy at the thought of Marcus’s debaucherous days, reminding myself that I had those too. Mine were spectacular and luckily sealed in secrecy with Xander. “How bad is it?”
“Not bad. But he’s been going through models and ballerinas like Veuve Clicquot at a socialite’s brunch. Tabloids are having a ball with it.”
“How’s he doing?”
“He’s being more careful, fewer nights out.” In Marcus’s absence, Xander had taken on the role of Henry’s moderator. “Marcus noticed too; he asked me to check in on him. Henry seems fine. I think he’s just stressed, and honestly, a little lonely."
Thankful that Xander was there to help Henry, I ran my arm around his torso and squeezed him.
Henry hadn’t taken Marcus's absence well. They were best friends, and I could only imagine how abandoned Henry must have felt. I could hardly go a few days without talking to Xander. I was positive that was why Marcus was so nervous to tell Henry about us. He and Henry hadn't really moved past his absence yet.
Marcus hadn’t mentioned anything to me about Henry or asking Xander to check in on him. The feeling burned in my stomach, making it turn. “He didn’t mention it.”
“You know Marcus, god complex.” Xander’s laugh was forced. He could hear the trepidation in my voice. “Why tell you when he could just fix it for you?”
Xander was right. Being in an actual relationship with Marcus made that incredibly clear. It wasn’t a problem most of the time, but I hated that he felt he had to carry some burdens alone, as though we wouldn’t love to help him.
“About that.” Xander began, his face becoming serious. “I’m happy for you both, I am.”
“But…”
“Marcus doesn’t really do relationships. Hell, he kind of sucks at the ones he has now. I worry, that's all.”
