Page 14 of Love in Sight

Ten

The sound of Rian’s fist smashing into the wall reverberates down the hall, making me jump. My eyes jump between Thiago and Zep as I look for an answer to what just happened.

“What was that?”

“You know Rian, he loses his temper easily when it comes to people he loves. He’ll eventually calm down and come back to us,” Thiago replies, rubbing his hands down my arms in an attempt to soothe me. Out of the guys, Rian is the touchy one that can flip his switch in a split second. “Plus, remember how hard it was for Zep and I when you wanted to bring him in. It wasn't easy.”

It definitely wasn’t a walk in the park when I met Rian. I was instantly drawn to him. His quirkiness, love for computers, and god-like looks had me hook, line, and sinker. The guys weren’t as drawn to him in the beginning as I was.

It hurt me to see the confusion on their faces when I confronted them about Rian. I think it made them feel like they weren’t good enough. They are good enough. They’re everything to me. I’d still feel worthless if it weren’t for them. It’s not that they weren’t enough, it’s that Rian was perfect for me, too.

It took some time, but they eventually came around to the idea when they saw how happy Rian made me. Zep once told me he knew the moment Rian was going to be a permanent fixture in our lives. It was the time Rian made me laugh so hard that milk came out of my nose. He even helped me clean up the mess, like the angel he is. Thiago said I looked like I was in so much pain from the milk, but I still looked at Rian like he held the world in the palm of his hands. After that, Zep and Thiago couldn’t help but start to like him more.

“Yeah.” I frown. “But I feel like that wasn’t his normal reaction. It’s like something else is going on with him.”

Zep steps up this time. “If you feel like you need to go to him right now, then we will be waiting for you when you get back.” I hear his words, but I’m so conflicted with what to do. I need to go after my broken boy, but I also need to give Zep and Thiago an explanation.

“But... But… You two deserve to hear an explanation from me too. I can’t just walk away.” My indecision is probably written all over my face.

“We are a team,meu amor. Like Zep said, we will be here when you get back. We aren’t going anywhere. Rian’s hurting right now and you know that you are the only one that can help him. He may love us like brothers, but he loves you with his whole being,” Thiago reassures me.Thiago is the most selfless man I have ever met.

Tears sting the back of my eyes as I look at them. “I love you all so much. I hope you know that,” I say, trying to keep the tears from spilling over.

“We know, baby. We know,” Zep says, as he brings me into a hug. I close my eyes, snuggling into his warm embrace.

After a moment, I move over to Thiago. He’s so tall that my head lands right over his heart as he wraps his arms around me. He plants a kiss on the top of my head. “Eu te amo.Now go get Rian before he breaks something.” I reluctantly slip out of his arms and the warmth of his body disappears.

I walk backwards, staring at two-thirds of my world as they drift away, until I reach the hallway. I turn and head toward Rian’s room.Breathe, Lya,I remind myself as I reach his door. I have no intention of waiting for Rian to say I can come in, but I lightly knock anyway as I turn the handle and push my way inside.

Rian is sitting on the edge of his bed with his elbows on his knees and his hands pushed through his hair. His head is down and his whole body is tense. Blood covers the knuckles on his right hand.Oh, Rian.I need to approach this the right way or he might shut me out more.

“Rian,” I breathe out softly. His shoulders tense and his jaw tightens, but he doesn’t look at me. I tiptoe across the room like I’m trying not to scare a baby animal, stopping when I’m standing directly in front of him.

“Rian, we need to talk about this.” Still nothing.

I get down on my knees in front of him. From this angle, I can see that his usually light eyes are dark with anger and fear. I sit the weight of my body back on my heels, not saying anything. I just give him silence, hoping that he will talk to me.

“Why?” he whispers softly. I can barely hear him.

I wrap my hands around his thick forearms. “Will you please look at me?” I beg. He finally drops his hands and lifts his head. “Rian, I just want to get to know him better. I feel a pull toward him, just like I felt with you.”

“Jesus, Lya. How many men do you need?” he snarks out. The force of his words causes me to flinch. I can see the self-doubt in his eyes.

“I’m going to let that one go for now because I know you’re hurting.” I take a few breaths before continuing. “Do you remember when we first met? Zep and Thiago practically hated you.”

The only sound that comes from him is a soft, pained grunt.

“They eventually welcomed you in,” I whisper in a tender voice.

“I know.”

“When they were reluctant to have you around, how did you feel?” I ask, rubbing my hands up his forearms to his biceps.

“Like shit. All I wanted was to be around you. I didn’t really care for the idea that they also had you, but I at least wanted a chance.”

“Don’t you think Greyson feels the same way?” I hope this helps him see that he has something in common with Greyson.

“Maybe, but I don’t care. If he weasels his way into your life then I may lose you too!” he murmurs angrily.He may lose me too?

---