Page 46 of Ruthless Beasts

We all watched her ass as she left. It was perfectly round and was practically showcased in the pair of yoga pants she wore. Pregnant or not, she really had a cute little figure. A cute little figure that I shouldn’t be looking at because she was Adam’s wife and, well, let’s be honest, a decade younger than I am.

Than all of us.

Shit.

Sometimes I forgot how old I was. Nothing like reality to remind us that life isn’t infinite. So fucking unfair that life passes us by before we realize the importance of the moments weshould cherish. Half my life is already gone, and what do I have? What memories do I hold tightly to my chest? Nothing but bad memories. Nothing good has graced me.

“You all seem cozy.” Adam broke the silence first, reminding us we all were standing a little too close when he stepped into the room.

“I’m getting mixed signals. Would you like us to keep the length of the kitchen island between us?” Ace responded, sarcasm dripping from his words.

“Nope.” He picked a plate up in each hand and turned. “It was only an observation.”

“What do you want from us?” Ace sighed. “We didn’t touch her. And even if we did, I think we’d get a pass, being you gave us permission.”

“Actually, I watched you touch her,” Adam pointed out, “and I’m not complaining.”

“She had marshmallow on her lip!” Ace groaned. “I hardly think that counts.”

“I want nothing from you.” Adam looked at the dining room. “Nothing at all.”

“You like her,” I observed.

“I-“ He paused. “I don’t.”

“Your growing affection is confusing you, isn’t it?” I pushed.

“No.” He denied it, and he could continue denying it, but the truth was clear. He was beginning to like the girl, and that made him uncomfortable. “I’m worried about the child is all.”

“You’re afraid.”

“I’m afraid of nothing.” His voice was louder than necessary, and I was positive she heard it in the next room.

“You’re afraid to feel.” I laughed, though it held no mirth. “Isn’t that fucking ironic? You got yourself in this position because you wanted to feel nothing but revenge, and somehow revenge is catching up with you.”

“Lower your fucking voice.”

“Or what? Afraid the ghosts that haunt us will hear?” I met his eyes, dark and stormy with the feelings and rage he bottled up. “You know… I think I’ve changed my mind.” When he didn’t ask about what, didn’t speak a single word as his eyes burned into me, I continued. “I think I do like her. In fact, I like everything about her. And maybe I’ll take you up on that offer… after all, I’m not afraid, like some people in this room, to have her palm on my skin.”

Did I mean it? I wasn’t sure. Maybe I was only trying to goad him. Still, he swallowed hard at my declaration. “I’m not afraid.”

“Then prove it.”

He looked down at the plate of food he had yet to carry to the table. “I- I don’t know how.”

“Then it’s about fucking time you learned.” I looked at Ace, who I knew desired her just as much as the rest of us. “And you too. It’s easier to put up walls than knock them down when the structure is sound and cemented into place. If she builds those walls, she’ll finish guarding herself because you’re too fucking stubborn to offer her the attention and care she needs. You’ll die alone. Lonely. Desperate. Miserable.”

“I’m already?—“

I cut Adam off before he could say a word. “You’re fucking miserable. You’ve convinced yourself of it for so fucking long that it’s your idle thought. It might as well be your identity. Five fucking years later and your heart still beats. You’re doing just fine.”

“I’m scared,” Adam whispered, and I’d never thought I’d hear that word from him. Not out loud. “Is this what Elizabeth would have wanted?”

Ace cursed under his breath as he stared off before bringing his attention back to us. “I’m pretty sure my sister never held a grudge.”

“It’s just?—“

“We’re making excuses,” Ace stated. “I’ve never shared a girl before. Just so we’re clear. I don’t think any of us have. I don’t want things to get weird and if you promise it won’t… then I don’t know… I might be in.”

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