Page 97 of Rules to Love By

Eli kept his hands on him, preventing him from getting far. “No?”

“No. Not yet. I still owe you three dates, remember?”

“Right.” Although they were both so tired, Eli didn’t think they had energy for anything but sleep, he didn’t press it. “Actually, two.”

“How do you figure.”

“This counts.”

That got him a loud snort. “If that’s true, this was the worst second date in the history of dating.”

Eli laughed. “It wasn’t great.” He kissed Marcus’s forehead and hugged him tight.

For a few heartbeats, they stayed that way; then Marcus pushed himself upright. “I really have to sleep.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll see you later?”

“Of course.” A big part of him wanted to follow Marcus to his bed, but he hadn’t been invited. In fact, he’d been firmly put off, and that had been their agreement. A far as that went, he should be pleased Marcus was firm in following the rules they’d agreed on.

Still. He wanted to offer comfort. Wanted to receive it. But the door between the public and private parts of the house closed firmly behind Marcus. Eli strongly suspected if he even tried to open it, he wouldn’t be able to.

“You also look like shit,” Tris said, stopping beside him, his tray of cookies half-empty.

“Charming,” Eli muttered, “my ass.”

Tris grinned. “I only tell that kind of truth to people I really like.”

“Lucky me.”

“Yes.”

“And humble.”

“Meh.” Tris moved on to put his tray down. “Not really.” He crossed his arms over his skin-tight and sassy Of Course I’m a Unicorn T-shirt. “Tell me you’re serious about him.”

“Why?”

“Because he needs something real. He’s not good at believing in himself, and I don’t want to see him hurt.”

“Neither do I.”

“Good.”

“Good.” Eli studied him. “You are a little bit of a mama badger.”

“A lot, actually. Especially when it comes to Marcus. And I’m really okay with that.”

Eli nodded. “Okay. Good.” He yawned then, so big his jaw cracked.

“You’ve been up all night too,” Kreed said from his place by the grill. “You should go get some sleep. Upstairs if you want.”

He contemplated that. It would be so much easier to sleep here, where he wouldn’t encounter his father or have to field any questions.

A cold breeze curled around his ankles. It seemed to tug him towards the back door, as if telling him to leave.

He frowned. “This place is drafty for newly renovated, isn’t it?”

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