Rory looked to Callum. His brother sent him a hopeful grin. Tonight they claimed their woman.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Callum took a deep breath and knocked on the door, hoping this wasn't going to end in blood. Lately, all of his encounters with Oliver seemed to culminate in someone throwing a punch.
He wouldn't do that today. Well, he wouldn't throw the first one, at least. If Oliver punched him, naturally he would be forced to defend himself.
And then he would ruin his perfectly good tux. Maybe he should have changed for the gala after this meeting.
The door opened, and Oliver reared back, eyes wide. "Well, I suppose I should have expected this. Rory is here as well?"
"Indeed. He's getting dressed for the ball." When Oliver stepped aside to admit him, Callum entered. It looked as if Rory wasn't the only one running behind in his preparations. Oliver had apparently shaved and showered already and had dressed in slacks and a snowy white shirt. His tie hung loose around his neck. He'd slung his tuxedo jacket negligently over a chair. "I was surprised to learn you were here."
Oliver closed the door. "I wanted to talk to Tori. I also need to speak with Alea."
That surprised him, too. "You haven't talked to Alea in years. You duck her phone calls."
A faint blush stained Oliver's cheeks. "Yes, that wasn't well done of me. We used to be friends. I'm going to apologize to her for that."
"Are you going to apologize for anything else?" Since the moment Talib mentioned Oliver's visit, Callum had suspected his brother had several motives. He'd always been a multitasker.
Oliver crossed his arms over his chest. "As a matter of fact, yes. I'm going to say some things I should have said long ago."
A chill settled over Callum. "Are you planning on committing suicide?"
Oliver's jaw dropped in shock. "No. Why on earth would you say that?"
"Knew a bloke who offed himself. For three weeks, he made amends to everyone, apologizing for things he'd done years before. At the time we thought he was just trying to be less of an arsehole. Then he shot himself through the head the night before our game with Liverpool Football Club. The next day the press came forward with a story and some pictures, outing him for being gay. It's funny what people think is worth dying over."
The clubhouse could be a cruel place at times, but Callum couldn't imagine the choice his teammate had made. The one he was afraid his brother might make. He hadn't even been able to talk to Rory about it. But from the second Talib had mentioned Oliver's visit, Callum had feared this possibility.
Oliver stared at him for a long moment. "I remember that incident. I've no plan to kill myself. I promise you on my honor."
Something inside Callum's chest eased, but he wasn't done. "It isn't enough to not kill yourself, brother. It's time for you to start living again."
His older brother groaned but at least he wasn't tossing him out on his arse.
Oliver crossed the room. "I came nearly three thousand miles to avoid this lecture."
Callum followed. "I thought you came here to apologize to Tori and Alea. By the way, I get Tori. You completely owe her an apology because you were an asshat."
Oliver turned. "What?"
"Asshat. It's an American phrase. Tori uses it a lot. Apparently hats are made infinitely more terrible if they're on an arse. Who knows why Americans say anything, but you have to admit they come up with some colorful insults. You were also a douchebag and a douche nozzle. Really, anything that can attach to a douche."
Oliver was still for a moment, then he burst out laughing. "I will try not to be attached to a douche again, I promise. I do owe her an apology and I wanted to clear a few things up with her tonight. As for Alea, I have my reasons for apologizing. Do you want a drink? The sheikh stocks his bars well."
"No, I want to go into this evening with all my faculties."
He would need them. Tori might not be happy to see them. Who was he kidding? She wasn't going to be happy. He hoped there were no blunt instruments lying about when she found them.
"You've grown up, Cal."
"Sometimes I don't act like it, but I really am ready to be the man Tori needs."
A wistful smile crossed his brother's face. "I'm glad for you. So you and Rory have figured everything out? You know, where Tori is concerned?"
He hadn't expected that question, but he was pleased Oliver was opening up a bit. "Yes, we've discussed it and I'm going to take her backside. I've got more experience with anal than Rory, so I think I'm the man to do it. Rory will practice, of course, and then we'll flip positions occasionally."
Oliver's jaw dropped for the second time. "That is not what I meant."