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“Hey, bud,” I say softly, forcing myself to smile. His throat bobs as he turns to Ezra.
“You—”
“He didn’t do anything,” I say, interrupting him before he can spiral and blame Ez for anything. He’s blaming himself for enough.
“You were supposed to protect her, not hurt her.” I sigh as I rub my forehead.
“Let me get your mother to bed, then we can discuss what happened,” Ezra says in a voice I’ve never heard from him before. An authoritative voice.A father’s voice. It’s enough to make Ian stiffen and throw his shoulders back.
“Some men broke into the bar,” I blurt, and both of them turn their attention to me. “I called Ez and he saved me. That’s all that happened.” Ian turns back to Ezra, but his face doesn’t shift at all. They have a silent conversation, one I’m too tired to try to decipher.
“We’ll talk later,” Ez says in that same low, calm voice. Ian’s throat bobs as he swallows whatever retort was about to fall from his lips. He looks back at me, his face softening.
“I can stay home from school today,” he says. “I can help take care of you.” My heart warms and I smile softly at him.
“You just want an excuse to miss school,” I snort, and he rolls his eyes. “Nice try, bud. But I’m fine.” I force my face to stay blank as I push to my feet. Ezra’s hands shoot out as he lurches forward, ready to catch me. “See?” I hold my hand out, the other still clutching the blanket around my shoulders. “Fine.” Ian doesn’t look convinced, but with another glance at Ezra, he must see that I’m in good hands.
Good, crazy hands.
“Will you call me if she needs help?” he asks Ezra, and he nods, a serious expression on his face. “I’ll come straight home.” He looks back at me and I wave my hand again, dismissively.
“You have—what club do you have today?” His face turns red as he glances at Ezra.
“It’s D&D, and it’s not a club,” he mumbles. I glance at Ezra, finding him grinning at my son.
“I like D&D,” he says. Whether or not it’s true, I don’t know. But I want to kiss him for making Ian not feel bad about his hobbies. “I used to play with—” His face falls, his eyes going unfocused. Then he blinks and that sad, faraway look is gone. “With some friends when I was your age.” I narrow my eyes slightly. I want to pry, but not right now.
Later.
Later when I’m not tired and when my body isn’t trembling from the amount of energy it takes to keep me upright. Ezra must see whatever strain I’m trying to hide from Ian, because he moves forward and wraps his arm around my waist, taking most of my weight.
“I’m going to bed,” I say with a yawn. Ian’s eyes flick between us, and I wait for it. For the accusations, the blow up, the anger.
But nothing comes.
Instead, he just nods. “You’ll be with her all day?” Ian asks, and Ezra nods again. “You’ll take care of her?”
“With my life,” Ezra vows, putting his fist to his chest.
“I am capable—” I cut myself off.
Am I capable of taking care of myself? After tonight…
I didn’t fight back. Why didn’t I fight back?
“You’re more than capable, love,” Ezra agrees, and I rest my too-heavy head on his shoulder. He kisses the top of it, and my eyes lock with Ian’s. But again, there’s nothing.
I don’t know why I expected something, but he looks fine. Fine with whatever is going on with Ezra and me.
“You’re together now?” he asks quietly, and Ez’s arm barely tightens around me. A lump forms in my throat, and when I open my mouth, I hesitate. The room gets thick with tension as they both wait for my answer.
I glance up at Ezra, his eyes guarded in a way that makes my heart ache. I smile softly at him, then turn and rest my head against his shoulder again as I look at Ian.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “We’re together.” Ezra lets out a long, relieved breath. Ian’s face stays blank, like he’s carefully hiding what he’s really thinking and feeling beneath a perfect mask. “Is that okay with you?” He lifts his chin, ever the mature man he wants to so badly be.
“Yes,” he says, then looks at Ezra, his face hardening. “If you hurt her, Iwillkill you.” I fold my lips between my teeth.
He has no idea who he’s just threatened. But Ezra nods, his face still gravely serious.
