Owning It (Metropolis #3)(65)

"I was just coming to talk to Evan," he explains. 

"You're a fuckin' asshole," he says.

Evan slides around on his stool. "You told me you only cheated on me because you were so hurt from Gary screwing you over. Was any of that true?"

Suddenly, I find myself liking this kid. At least he's willing to call Peter out on his bullshit.

Peter looks at Gary, who folds his arms and cocks his head to the side. He's obviously eager to hear Peter's defense. How is he going to lie his way out of this one?

"I think we should talk about this somewhere else," Peter says.

Evan shakes his head, his thin blond brows pulled together as he frowns. "No. I want you to tell me the truth. Was all that stuff you said about being in an open relationship and about Gary lying to everyone about us true?"

"You can't honestly believe anything Gary tells you," Peter says. "He's just trying to cause trouble for us."

"Really?" I ask. "Evan fucking calls you on your bullshit, and you're still trying to lie. Bold move, asshole."

"You okay, babe?" Travis asks as he approaches. His super-boyfriend instincts must have kicked into high gear and warned him that his man needed him.

Jackson, Frankie, Cody, and Hayden aren't far behind, circling around the scene. Suddenly, we have a small mob that I can tell by the way Peter's gaze shifts around, makes him uneasy.

Travis wraps his arm around Gary and glares at Peter. "Petey … did you need something?"

"I think Peter was either about to fess up to what a douchebag he is or leave," Gary says.

Peter directs his attention to Evan, maybe because he realizes he's not going to persuade any of us with his bullshit. "Evan, listen to me."

"No," Evan says. "You've said everything there is to say. And after what Gary told me, I don't want to hear any more of your bullshit." He gets up from the stool and walks away.

"Damn straight," I tell Peter, snapping my fingers in his face.

He grunts before chasing after Evan, who heads around the rail alongside the steps that lead onto the back deck.

"Listen to me," Peter says as he catches up with Evan and snatches his wrist. He forces him down two steps with a yank.

"You're hurting me." Evan tries to pull his arm free, but Peter doesn't release his grip.

Travis and Gary move at the same time, pushing their way through the crowd.

"I'm tired of you fucking lying to me!" Evan shouts.

"Just fucking listen to me, you ungrateful piece of shit."

Gary and Travis jump the stair rail … looking like some fucking badass bouncers.

Gary shoves Peter, who releases Evan as Gary pushes him back up against the wall. Gary's a lot shorter than Peter, so I'm kind of impressed right now. Obviously, his new gun show is coming in handy. "You want to mess with someone tonight, mess with me!"

Peter's eyes go wide as he seems to realize he's been caught being a total asshole. He starts like he's going to say something, but stops himself and hurries out the door, onto the back deck.

We hurry over to Evan. "Are you okay?" Travis asks.

"It feels weird," Evan says as he holds his arm. "But I'm fine."

"Let us look." Jackson approaches with Frankie.

Frankie touches Evan's wrist. "I got it."

"It's fine, I think," Evan says, but as he glances up at Frankie, his eyes widen. "Oh, maybe not."

Touché.





27




Jackson



       
         
       
        


There's obviously a bigger story going on here than what I caught from the discussion at the bar. I watch Frankie run his fingers over the kid's wrist. It's bruised, but other than that, it's going to be fine.

Travis holds Gary against him. There's deep fury brewing just beneath the surface of his skin. Whether it's directed at the kid or the man who took off, I'm not sure, but I'm betting it's a combination of the two.

"I'm just embarrassed. I … I'm fine." Evan pulls his wrist away from Frankie and knowing his past, I'm sure there's some fury raging around inside of him too. "I should go." The kid takes a few steps, then stops and looks at Gary. "I really am sorry. I know that's a pretty weak response. It does nothing to excuse me from the pain I've caused, but … I didn't get it. He made me feel special and loved and he was the first man to ever do that so … " He shakes his head. "Anyway. Yeah. I'm sorry."

He tries to walk away but Gary sets a hand gently on his shoulder. "He made me feel that way too. He's a master manipulator. And I have Travis now, who is everything I never knew I wanted. He's the one for me, not Peter, and I'd do it all over again to get where I am. I'm just sorry you had to be hurt too."