Page 195 of Alpha Mates

“Oh yeah.”

“Dear Goddess,” he groans before he makes the bold decision to sit up, and then an even bolder one to shuffle to the bathroom. “Never again.”

I listen to make sure he makes it inside without slipping and breaking something, then head to the kitchen to get him some water and toast. The distance only adds to Max’s ever-present unease, but I try to ignore it.

Julian is fine,I tell him tightly.He’s drained and he’s got a hangover.

Fine?!Max snarls as his anger turns vicious.He can’t even recall most of the night.

That’s normal! It happened to me the first time I drank that much.

No one forced you to do that,he shoots back, and it’s like a cold bucket of water over my head.

Shame hits. I blink, seeing the blood gushing from his forehead all over again, and my stomach turns.

“I think it’s clearing,” Julian mumbles as he walks into the kitchen, slow and steady. “The hangover, I mean. Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.”

I try to muster up a smile, but it falls just as quickly.

“I’m getting you toast,” I say to him, and as a reminder to myself to move. I grab the loaf and butter. “It should soak up what’s left.”

“Sounds good,” Julian says as he gingerly slides himself onto the kitchen stool. “I can’t believe we snuck out last night.”

“Yeah,” I mumble as I push the toaster down.

“And that I had so much fun!” he adds, only when my eyes dart up, he’s back to consoling his temples with his fingertips. “I keep forgetting,” he mumbles as he peeks his eyes open.

I slide a glass of cold water over to him, and he unwinds like a limp noodle from the first sip. I chuckle, and his eyes flit to mine, warm, before they narrow slightly.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, of course,” I dismiss quickly as I return to the toast. “I’m fine. I’m not the one who got ripped out of a car.”

Again, he giggles, but this time, he doesn’t wince, and I thank Goddess for that.

“Tell me what you remember,” I say.

He tries. He recaps the night to the best of his ability, filling the gaps with nonsense. I keep making toast. Refill his water, watching and listening. But every blank he stumbles on twists the guilt deeper.

“In conclusion,” he says finally, “I’ve decided to watch none of the unmentionable videos or pictures. If I don’t know what I did, then I can’t be embarrassed.”

I nod idly, and the smile on his face evaporates. “Aiden, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I promise, straightening from the counter, but Julian doesn’t let it go this time.

“You’ve been acting like a zombie all morning, and you’re not even smiling,” he replies sharply. “I thought you’d be teasing me and filling in what I don’t want to know, but you’re quiet, and you feel sad.”

“I’m fine.” I’m not.

“No, you’re not.”

“It’s nothing,” I say with a forced smile. “I’ll make you another tomato juice mix.”

“I don’t need one.” Julian protests, but I’m already turned and opening the fridge.

I tug the vegetable drawer open, filling my hands with tomatoes until I feel Julian’s warm hand on my arm. Even without looking at him, I can feel the worry radiating off him, and I know it’s because of me.

“Hey,” he whispers as he gently forces me to turn around. I let the tomatoes go before I meet his gaze. It’s soft and imploring, caring in ways I don’t deserve.