Page 41 of Doc

“You’re a shit liar,” he replies. “Say goodbye to Kail, who knows to call if he needs to.”

I glance at Kail, who waves before going back to administering painkillers to De Luca. “Everything is under control, Doc. Go home and go to bed.”

“I am in charge here!” I try to protest as James pushes me out the door.

James laughs and leans in, whispering, “Sure you are, Ash.”

Scowling, I shake off his hold and march myself through the house. I’ll admit I’m a little tired, but it’s been a long week; that’s what happens when someone attacks the Family. It’s an all hands on deck situation, and I’ve been busy making sure the fucker doesn’t die before Carter is ready for him to.

Not only that, Enzo had his second surgery in the midst of all this, so I’ve also been going back and forth between the main house and mine in order to check on him. So I might be a little stressed, and in need of a few more hours of sleep than I’ve been getting, but I’m fine.

Stalking out to the car, I wait expectantly for James, who takes his sweet time.

“You forgot how to open your own door?” he asks when he reaches me.

“You’re the one who always insists on doing it for me,” I bite back.

He laughs and opens the door, holding a hand out. “Would you like me to help you inside as well?”

“Fuck off.” I fight back the urge to shove him and climb into the backseat.

“You know,” he says as he settles into the driver’s seat and starts the car. “You made sure everyone else took time off and got proper sleep, it’s okay to do so yourself.”

I want to state, for the millionth time, that I’m fine, but I know better than to think he’d believe me. Sighing, I lean my head against the window and fight to keep my eyes open, not wanting to even give a hint that I may be a little more tired than I’ve been letting on.

At the house,James marches me upstairs.

“What if I’m hungry?” I ask.

“Are you?”

“No,” I admit. “Soren made me eat before he left.”

“Good. Now, shower and bed for you.”

“You have to lay with me,” I demand.

He laughs and nudges the door to my bedroom open. “I mean, if you want, I'm not sure how Soren feels about that though.”

I frown. “He knows you’re mine. I told him our relationship isn’t up for discussion.”

James shakes his head and then jerks his chin toward the bed. “Not what I meant.”

It takes my tired brain far too long to process what I’m seeing when I turn my head to see what James is talking about. There, curled up under my blankets, blond hair the only thing visible, is Soren.

“Oh,” I say. “Well, yeah, okay. You climbing into bed with us probably warrants another conversation.”

James snorts, grabs my hand and leads me through to the bathroom. I don’t fight him as he turns on the shower and then strips us both of our clothes. Honestly, this is such a routine thing between us, it doesn’t occur to me that maybe Ishouldprotest in some way.

I meant what I said. While all three of us sleeping in the same bed warrants another discussion between me and Soren, and James, too, nothing aboutthisscenario does. I refuse to change my relationship with my best friend simply because it may make someone else uncomfortable. I respect Soren and the right he has to feel a certain way about me being naked and touched by another man, but I’ve learned over the years that men come and go, James does not.

I won’t change who I am or what I need for the comfort of anyone else. I’m more than happy to discuss boundaries, and figure out how to make sure everyone is comfortable with the shifting dynamics, but no one gets to tell me what I can or cannot do with the person who’s been my…everything for so long.

So lost in my thoughts, I don’t realize James is finished with our shower until he guides me out and the cooler air of the bathroom makes me shiver.

“You’re like an overgrown toddler,” he complains as he dries me quickly then dresses me in a pair of sweats I didn’t even know he’d got out.

“I’d argue but honestly that seems like too much work.”

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