Page 73 of Worlds Collide

“A lot of things have changed for you recently, and I know whatit’s like when you feel like everything’s spinning out of control. I know how scary that is, but I also know that none of the things that are out of your control are going to affect whoyouare.”

“That’s a good point,” I whisper and keep mulling it over while we walk around the block. Theo stops when we’re back in front of his bakery and smiles at me.

“I hope I helped, at least by telling you Sebas got those two back to their senses.”

“You helped a lot. Thank you.”

“I’m glad. Now come in and get more treats for the guys next door and let me say just one more thing. The reason Adam and Carter lost their heads there for a second is because they love you and they hate seeing you hurting this much.”

“I thought I didn’t look half bad this morning.” I try to joke but it falls flat when faced with Theo’s gentle patience. “I know. I’ll talk to them.”

“Good. And you can be mad at them,” Theo tells me as he starts to walk to the counter. “Especially Adam. You should throw my mother in as an example of a shitty person who’s not an addict.”

I snort and try to disguise it with a cough—not appropriate. “Will, do,” I say simply, and then I get a dozen more cinnamon rolls, because I’m pretty sure I deserve a day of carb loading as hard as I can.

“I’m sorry,”Adam says with his eyes downcast.

“And?” Sebas demands from next to him, arms crossed and one foot tapping impatiently on the white floor of his gallery.

“And I don’t think all addicts are bad people,” my friend mumbles, still not looking up. I bite my lip to keep from laughing.No matter how long I’ve known him, seeing the legendary Adam “the King” Darnell scolded like a disobedient child by his husband is hilarious.

“And?” Sebas repeats with more force behind the word.

“I’ll stop being a—” He stops talking suddenly to throw a pained look at Sebas, who in turn only raises an eyebrow. “Apendejowhen it comes to Wolf, or you liking Wolf, or you not telling me every single detail about your life.”

“Good,” Sebas declares with a nod then turns to Carter. “What do you have to say to your friend?”

Carter rolls his eyes. “Look mate, I love you,” he tells Sebas. “But you won’t be pulling me around by the balls like you do this one.” He points at Adam who wisely stays silent.

“Then I’ll pull you by your desire to get out of here before midnight every day for the next month,” Sebas tells him mercilessly. “Now apologize to CJ so we can all get back to our lives.”

Carter sighs and looks me in the eyes. “I’m sorry that I was a bad friend last night and didn’t think about what you wanted.”

“Thank you,” I tell him quickly, hoping we can end this now.

“Okay.” Sebas claps and looks at us one by one. “Now, get out of here and go talk this all out, and this time actually help CJ get his head out of his ass, please.”

“Hey!” I complain. “What do you mean?”

Sebas pins me with those green eyes that have never looked cold to me until now. “You’re not the reason why Wolf relapsed, and you need to stop blaming yourself for every bad thing in the world. You’re also not supposed to save the world, so stop being a martyr and enjoy your fucking life.”

“Merciless,” Adam whispers in wonder while I’m just speechless.

Either he just saved me years in therapy or he’s oversimplifyingmy life? Coin toss, really. In any case, I don’t have to take all this abuse—yes, I’m referring to my friend being unashamedly honest as abuse—I grab the still-full box from the bakery, with its lovely MP sticker holding it closed, and start walking out.

“Those are mine,” he demands.

“No they’re not,” I tell him and just keep walking. “You guys coming?” I ask Carter and Adam. They look at the box and nod then walk out of there as fast as they can. Sebas shakes his head but I see him smiling before the glass door closes behind me.

“So,what are you going to do until it’s time to get back to work?” Adam asks after he finishes his cinnamon roll, then licks his fingers.

“I don’t know,” I tell him honestly. “I feel like I should do something productive, but maybe I should just head back home, lie low for a while and like Sebas said, enjoy life.”

“California’s a pretty good place to enjoy life,” Carter agrees, and raises his can of Coke as if he’s toasting me.

“It is,” I agree.

“You can stay a week or two,” Adam says looking over the box of pastries, trying to disguise his neediness with a casual tone. It’s not gonna work with me, I know him too well.

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