Page 82 of Just Bromantically Invested

“Why haven’t you made the appointment yet?”

Xander blinks slowly, eyes wet, and presses his lips together.

Derek shifts as though to block me out of the conversation. “I have all night.”

Well, I fucking don’t.

I must make some kind of noise because Derek glances over at me. “I can give him a ride home if you have someplace to be.”

“You will?” Xander immediately sits up, and the excitement in his voice is unmissable. He’s had eyes for Derek since the very first time he came in here, and I know it’s one of the reasons he’s so careful to make sure he looks good, no matter what the time is.

But I also get the impression that Derek is a professional, and that will never happen.

“There’s someone I’d like you to talk to. She’s happy to meet us if you’re willing.”

There he goes, confirming my theory.

While apparently breaking Xander’s heart.

My friend jumps up off the makeshift bed. “I don’t want to talk to anyone.”

“Xander …”

“I’m fine. You said I’m fine. I can go.” He latches onto my arm, and I wonder if I keep still whether they’ll forget I’m here. “Come on, Madden.”

Apparently not.

I glance down at his pleading gaze, eyes ringed red. “They just want to talk, Z. You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

“I’m not comfortable with talking. Or being blindsided. I don’t want any of this.”

I sigh. “Xander?—”

“It’s fine, Madden.” Derek tucks his hands into the pockets of his coat. “Maybe next time.”

“There is no next time. Tell her I’m not interested.”

“If that’s what you want.” Derek pulls out a lollipop and holds it out. “For you.”

Xander scowls, but he takes it, then storms ahead of me out the doors.

Derek rests a hand on my arm before I can follow him. “He’s been here three times in two weeks.”

“I know.”

“He hasn’t been like that in a long time.”

Concern is written all over Derek’s face, and I try to figure out if it’s concern for a patient or more. “It’s always convenient that you’re here.”

Derek rubs tired-looking eyes. “He needs help.”

“He’s got help. We’re all there for him.”

“Professional help. Do you think … Seven was his biggest support, and now Seven has someone who isn’t Xander in his life?—”

I cut in before he can finish that thought. “Xander and Molly are close. Really close.”

“I know. It’s clear he loves him, but it’s also clear to me that Xander isn’t handling it well. This is the second time I’ve seen you recently, and that’s also strange. I think I can count on one hand the number of times last year someone other than Seven showed up with him.”

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