Page 274

“I am,” Dean admitted. “Though it looks like that guy was the one screwing you...or with you if you want.”

“Carter,” Marco told him. “His name is Carter.”

“I know his name,” Dean said, setting the bag aside. “He’s been in the clinic. First time I saw him was last weekend. Looked like he’d gone a few rounds with a boxer or two.”

Marco rolled his eyes, marching up to the loft so he could get dressed. “I’m not touching that subject, don’t ask me.”

“Wasn’t going to,” Dean called up to him.

“Alright,” Marco said, grabbing a loose pair of lounge pants and yanking them on. “Then why are you here?”

“I’m afraid to tell you the whole truth. I don’t want to get yelled at like a little kid.”

Marco put on a shirt for good measure. “Jesus, what is with you two? Last I checked, I’m a big boy.”

“True. But we’re your friends. We’re allowed to be concerned.”

Marco came down the stairs to find Dean on the couch. “You can be concerned without being an asshole.”

Dean laughed softly. “For most people, that’s true. But sometimes, I think Sloane doesn’t quite know how to perform that particular feat.”

“Well, maybe he should learn,” Marco said, picking up his coffee.

Dean shrugged, crossing one ankle over his knee. “He is what he is. For the record, he’ll inevitably admit he’s sorry he upset you.”

“But not sorry about what he said or did.”

“Maybe. Maybe he’ll be sorry down the road, but not now. Not while he thinks he has every reason to think and say it.”

“Stubborn.”

“He is. Drives me crazy.”

Marco might have believed that if it hadn’t been for the fond smile on Dean’s face. Dean and Sloane, despite their strange and rough beginning, were two people Marco considered made for one another. Dean was gentler and more patient, taking the edge off Sloane’s blunt and sometimes harsh behavior. While Sloane’s steadiness and resolve did wonders for assuaging the more frantic and anxious side of Dean.

“I’m not happy with him,” Marco insisted.

Dean looked at him with wide eyes. “Really? Isthatwhy you dressed him down like a little kid who’d drawn on the wall with a marker?”

Marco scowled at him. “Sarcasm is unbecoming.”

Dean chuckled. “You told him that, grumpy asshole or not, he doesn’t have the right to be a complete dick to someone.”

“He doesn’t.”

“And that if he’s going to be a Grade A asshole, then he should just stay home and glare at the wall.”

“I stand by that.”

“You finished by telling him that he needs to put a little more thought into what comes out of his mouth because not everyone will tolerate it like I do. And you expect an apology the next time you see him.”

Marco gestured with the now empty coffee mug. “Yes, on all counts.”

“Youscoldedhim. Sloane, you scolded Sloane.”

“You do it all the time!”

“I’m also adorable,” Dean said with a grin.