Page 20 of Mine to Keep
He shakes his head, but it’s Javier that answers. “Just days of fucked up shit. We’re not having the best time in Canada, that’s for sure.”
Something comes over me, some protective instinct I haven’t felt in years. “What happened? Did someone hurt one of you?” I step closer to them, dropping my voice so people walking past won’t hear if they divulge any information.
“You could say that,” Talon says with a hiccup before turning his face into Javier’s chest, sobbing. Javier shushes him gently, rubbing his back and whispering into his ear. Talon says something against his chest that I don’t catch.
“Say again?” I say, stepping even closer.
Before he can repeat it, someone bumps into the back of Javier, scoffing as if he didn’t see him. “Wanna watch out, big guy?” the disgruntled man says, brushing his suit jacket off as if he got dirt on himself.
The man takes two steps, but I stop him, gripping his bicep with force. It’s not smart to do something that could draw attention to myself, but I don’t like the disrespect shown to Javier and Talon.
With wide eyes, the man looks at me, then down at my hand. “Let me go.”
“Apologize first,” I practically growl.
“What?” The rude motherfucker sounds incredulous, like I’m asking him to do something unthinkable.
Taking a step closer and lowering my voice to a menacing volume, I say, “Apologize to them. You bumped into them and you were rude. Fucking. Apologize.”
His voice tear drenched, Talon says, “It’s fine. It’s okay.”
“It’s not,” I growl, looking down at the man who still hasn’t said anything. “I will count to three. You won’t like what happens when I finish counting.”
“Fine,” he says, nose in the air. “I’m sorry. Shouldn’t have bumped into you. Happy?”
“Not really, but get the fuck on.” I let him go and he scurries away, checking over his shoulder that I’m not following him.
When I turn around, Talon looks scared, but Javier looks impressed. “Give me that kind of power any day. It wasn’t necessary, but thank you for that. Most of the people here are kind, but you get some that…” He inclines his head to the retreating back of the fuckboy that decided today was the day to be a dick.
I stuff my hands in my pockets and stare at the two of them. Javier is bigger, with a protective air around him for Talon, but I can tell he needs the same protection. Someone to watch outfor him. Talon just looks wrung out. Like something or someone took away that spark he had just a few days ago.
I need to get to the bottom of it.
Fuck…my mind better not be going where I fucking think it is.
It’s only that thought that has me looking at their hands. Their bags are near their feet, probably dropped when I bumped into them. “Where are you two going?”
Javier stares at me for a few beats, assessing me with his shrewd eyes. Huh. Maybe he would be a good employee with The Void. “Why?”
“You both have your bags. Talon is crying. You’re in front of the train station. Gotta be going somewhere.”
Talon sighs, hanging on tighter to Javier. “It’s a long story.”
“Tell me over lunch.” I grab their bags and trot towards the bay of taxis. I turn around to see them both looking at me with their mouths open. “Y’all comin’?”
Talon looks at Javier and shrugs, and they walk over. I open the door to the closest taxi for them and they slide into the back. I get in the front passenger seat and tell the driver to take us to the nearest restaurant.
Once we’re there and seated, I order for them, since neither seem to want to talk right now. Steak and potatoes are universal, so they shouldn’t have any objections.
When the server leaves us alone, I look over at the two of them, both looking sad and lost. “What happened since you last talked my ear off in the airport? I thought you were going to Waterkilty.”
That gets a sad but genuine smile from Talon, but it only lasts for a moment. “You tell him,” he says to Javier.
Anger flashes across Javier’s face, but it’s not directed at Talon. “Fucking Cole. We came here so Talon could surprise him, but instead, we found him with his tongue down someEnglish girl’s throat.” I raise an eyebrow at that. Was Talon what some bi-curious dudes would call a phase or an experiment? Was this Cole motherfucker playing with his feelings?
My thoughts must show on my face because Talon shakes his head. “Cole is openly bi.”
I nod and Javier continues. “There was a big fight on campus, with Talon trying to hold me back from beating Cole’s face in. Someone caught it on camera and tagged Cole on his social media page. We didn’t see it until this morning. Apparently, it’s been shared pretty wide.”
