Page 29 of Feels Like Home

“Thank you,” Jace whispered.

“You’re welcome, kitten.”

Ian’s fingers moved in a drowsy dance across Jace’s skin. The sharp needles faded into a low throb, allowing Jace to finally breathe a little easier.

“It’s getting better.” By small increments, but Jace would take that over the constant blasting pain.

“Did something bring on your migraine, or did it hit you out of nowhere?”

Jace thought of Owen’s crude comments and the lividness in Zeke’s eyes. Owen was going to make Jace pay for getting him into trouble. If Jace thought the guy had been an asshole before, things were only going to get much worse.

“Was it Owen?” Ian asked. “What did he say or do, Jace?”

“He was being himself, and Zeke heard him.” Maybe Jace shouldn’t have been daydreaming, but that didn’t give Owen the right to humiliate him, especially in front of other people.

“What did he say to you?” Ian’s voice was still low, still soothing, but there was now an edge to it.

Jace sighed. “Does it matter? He’s in Zeke’s office being reprimanded.”

“He was just fired,” Zeke said after Jace heard the door open. “The hothead couldn’t keep his mouth shut while I crawled in his ass. How’re you feeling, Jace?”

“What did he say to Jace?” Ian asked.

“He told Jace he wasn’t polishing some guy’s dick. The glass only needed a few swipes, not caressed like it was some horned-up boyfriend he was trying to get off,” Zeke replied in a pissed-off tone.

“It doesn’t matter what he said.” Jace sat up too fast, causing a sudden wave of dizziness.

“It matters to me,” Ian countered. “It matters a hell of a lot to me.”

“I need to get back to work.” Jace swung his legs over the side of the bench then placed his feet on the floor, waiting for the dizziness to subside. It was bad enough Owen had said that shit to him, but it was embarrassing that Ian and Zeke knew about it.

“Does he need two weeks off?” Zeke asked Ian. “Or am I reading into something that isn’t there?”

“Not until I’ve explained things to him,” Ian replied.

“Are you suspending me?” Jace gasped as the nausea returned.

“You’re not being suspended,” Zeke said. “Though I am sending you home after what just happened to you in here.” He held up his hand when Jace opened his mouth to argue. “With pay. I’m heading back to my office to find a replacement for Owen.”

Jace watched the owner walk out then turned to Ian. “Explain what to me?”

“I’d rather not discuss it here.” Ian swung his leg around, straddling the bench.

“Is this about what you were trying to say to me yesterday at your house?” Jace asked. “When you said there was a reason why we were so attracted to each other?”

“Yes.” Ian stood.

“We can go to your house since going home during my shift would make my mom and grandma ask questions.” Jace got up and stored his cleaning cart in the utility closet. He stood there for a moment with his hand pressed against the door. Ian had made his head feel better, but the migraine hadn’t gone completely away.

“We’re not in a rush.” Ian slid an arm around Jace. “Do you need to sit back down?”

“I’m okay.” The low throbbing was tolerable. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “We can go.”

Jace refused to look at anyone as they walked through the gym and exited the building. He glanced toward his car once they were outside, wondering if he should drive after such an intense migraine. That was when he spotted Owen. The guy was pacing at the end of the building, his phone stuck to his ear. Owen’s eyes filled with venomous hate when he spotted Jace.

With a deep snarl, Ian headed straight for Owen, stopping right in front of the guy. “I should rip your tongue out for talking to Jace that way!”

Owen didn’t say a word as he gave Ian the same venomous glare.

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