Page 53 of Turning Tides
“Cancel them, I guess.”
Mickey appeared a second later. “Sorry, but I overheard and maybe there’s a solution. A temporary one.”
“What’s your solution?” Vivian asked Mickey.
He turned his head and pointed at Ethan, who had come in sometime in the few minutes since I’d stepped out back. Mickey waved Ethan over before Vivian or I could protest.
“Ethan, there’s a bit of an issue and Cyrus had to step out so there’s no one in the kitchen.”
“There’s me, but the kitchen was never my domain.”
Ethan reached out and took the apron from me. He stole a kiss on the way past Mickey.
“Come on,” Ethan said to me. “I’m sure between the two of us we can manage to put out a few fires.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but I was willing to give it a try.
“It’s a damn good thing I’ve eaten just about everything on your menu.” Ethan slid the apron over his head and tied it behind his back. “I’m sure I can fudge my way through a couple of orders. Can I ask what happened?”
He went over to the grill and cleared off the few items that were there, burning away. He tossed them in the trash, started new burger patties, and went to read the orders to see what he needed to be doing after that.
I gave Ethan the simple honest answer. “I fell in love with his brother.”
Chapter 26
Archer
I chased after Cyrus,who already had his keys out of his pocket. He was hell-bent on getting out of there, but no way was I going to let him throw a tantrum and bail.
“Cyrus, if you get in that car, this conversation is over. Forever. And you’ll be lucky if I talk to you at all.”
He spun around so fast his shoes scraped against the dirt on the parking lot. Fury still radiated out of him, but it had been a long time since Cyrus scared me.
“Why the hell are you so mad? Shane’s a good guy. I thought you’d be like happy, or something. Is it because he’s too good for me?” Cyrus’s reaction had shocked and angered me all at once. I didn’t think he’d do a happy dance, but I also hadn’t expected this emotional outburst from him.
Cyrus flinched like I’d slapped him. “Are you insane? You’re too good for him. You’ve been through too much to have someone just swoop in and take advantage,” he sneered.
“Excuse you?” Clenching my fists, I kept my hands by my sides because if I didn’t, I was going to punch him right in the mouth. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Clayton tore your life apart. Then Shane swoops in and makes it all better. And now he’s kissing you? How is that not taking advantage?” Cyrus’s hand cut through the air as he ranted.
“Do you even hear yourself? I get that seeing Shane and me might have been shocking, but you’re acting like a douche bag about it.”
“I’m trying to protect you!” Cyrus was so mad his hands shook. He folded his arms over his chest and glared at me. “Clayton just got done fucking you over, you’re finally getting back on your feet, and now Shane’s putting the moves on you. You need time to heal.”
I put my face in my hands and screamed, not as loud as I could, but enough to vent some of my frustration before I lost my temper.
“Cyrus, listen to me very carefully.” I sucked in a deep breath and stared him down. “Are you listening? Because we’re not having this conversation more than once.”
“I’m listening.” His facial expression was pissy and petty and I wanted to slap it off him, but at least he seemed to be paying attention now.
“The thing with Shane and me is not your business, but I’m going to tell you about it anyway. I’ve been seeing him since before he offered me the space above the bar. It started out casual, and now it’s not. It’s very not casual. And considering that I came into the relationship with fifty bucks in my savings account and a storage unit worth of baggage, it’s safe to say that if you’re worried about anyone taking advantage of anyone, you should be worried about me taking advantage of him. But that’s not what this is.”
“Then what is it? Because all I see is my little brother and my boss. Clayton—”
“Oh, for the love of God, Cyrus. Let it go. Clayton isn’t even fucking here. You can’t use that for an excuse to baby me and try to run my fucking life. Who I’m with and who I love, it’s not any of your business.”
Something like hurt flashed across Cyrus’s face, but as quick as it came, it was gone again.
