Page 82 of A Siren Song for Christmas
The door opened. But it wasn’t Trent or Leo.
Grady walked in, glancing around the shop. His lips pressed together in a firm line. A gargoyle, who must be Uzoth, came in after him, his wings tucked behind him. He had to duck to get through the door. His hard gaze fixed on Malachi.
Muscles tensing, Malachi walked to the counter.
Why were Grady and Uzoth here? Was something wrong? Had something happened to Trent? It was earlier than when Leo usually came in. It was only a little after lunch. Why had they come so early?
Malachi cleared his swollen throat. “Is Trent all right? Has something happened to him?”
Grady approached the counter, gaze fixed on Malachi. “He’s heartbroken and devastated, of course. But other than that, he is fine.” Grady placed the exact coins on the counter. “I’m here for the elothea seeds.”
“Of course.” Malachi reached for the tank.
He could feel Grady’s and Uzoth’s unwavering gazes burning into him. After a moment, Grady let out a heavy sigh. “I’ve spoken to my brother. And…I promised him I’d ask how you were doing. He is worried about you. So how are you?”
“I’m fine.” Malachi plucked the seeds.
Grady scoffed. “You don’t look fine.”
“He shouldn’t worry about me.” Malachi examined the seeds.
“I said that to him too.” Grady sighed. “I want to be angry with you. But he keeps telling me you were very upfront from the start. He told me you said to him that you could only offer friendship and sex. And that he agreed to that knowingly.”
That was true. Still, it didn’t stop the guilt from tearing at Malachi’s insides.
He should have been clearer with Trent. Or perhaps just pursued a friendship without any sex. Perhaps he shouldn’t have gotten to know Trent at all.
That last thought stung. Because even after all this mess, he was glad he had known Trent. He just wished he’d known what he should have done to save Trent from hurt.
“I wish I could say you deceived my brother and deserved to have us all be fucking pissed and angry at you,” Grady grumbled. “Then Uzoth and I could have come in and yelled at you for being a giant shithead who hurt my brother.”
Malachi glanced at Uzoth. He stood silently, arms crossed over his broad, muscular torso. Malachi doubted he would have yelled at Malachi. He looked more like he would rather beat Malachi with his fists.
“But honestly, as far as I can tell, you have done nothing wrong.” Grady rubbed a hand over his face.
Malachi frowned. He wasn’t sure about that. It definitely felt like he’d done something wrong.
Grady exhaled heavily. “I also promised him I’d tell you that he is sorry for what happened. And to make sure you know that he doesn’t blame you.” He bit out the words, clearly not wanting to say them.
“He shouldn’t be sorry. He really shouldn’t.” But Malachi wasn’t surprised that the sweet, caring young man would be so concerned over Malachi when he should be thinking about himself.
He kind of wished Trent did blame him. He wished Grady would yell. And that Uzoth would hit him. He wanted to be punished. Maybe it would help him feel less guilty.
Malachi packaged the seeds and slid them across the counter.
Grady didn’t take them immediately. “I’m not used to seeing him sad. Even though he’s the youngest, these last few years I’venever really had to worry about him. He doesn’t get into any trouble. He never asks for anything. He’s always so responsible and reliable. He always looks after himself.”
Grady paused. “But I’m worried for him now.” He took the package and pocketed it. “In time, he’ll be fine. I’m sure he will be.” He frowned as if hoping the words were true rather than being certain they were. “But he needs time and distance. Me or Leo, or one of the others, will keep coming to get the seeds from now on. You won’t see him again.”
Chapter
Forty-Two
Iwill never see him again.The pain in Malachi’s chest swelled until he thought he would burst.
Of course, he’d known he probably would never see Trent again, but to have it confirmed…
“His love for you needs to fade,” Grady continued, voice steady and firm. “So he can move on.”