Page 15 of Back to You (Legendary Shifters #14)

“Are you? Because to me, it looks like you’re staring at the wall and wallowing in your thoughts. What’s going on in that head of yours? You should be happy.”

“I am.”

Peter arched a brow. He looked comfortable on Vincent’s bed, wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt with a hole in the seam. This was how Vincent liked to see him. It was better than how he was when Lou was around.

“Happy people generally don’t glare at their closet. Didn’t we already have this conversation? Ronan isn’t going to care what you’re wearing.”

“That’s not what this is.”

“What is it, then? You know you can talk to me.”

“Yeah, but you really have enough problems. I don’t want to add to that.”

Peter sat up and frowned. “I don’t have problems.”

It was Vincent’s turn to frown. He didn’t have to say anything. Peter knew what he was thinking about.

Peter shook his head. “Look, now isn’t the moment. You have a date, and you don’t want to make Ronan wait.”

“I don’t. It doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be a moment at all.”

“What do you want me to tell you?”

“Why you’re with that asshole would be a good start. You deserve so much better.”

“Maybe I don’t.”

“This isn’t you talking. This is Lou convincing you that you don’t deserve better because he’s afraid you’re going to dump him. Which you should, by the way. He doesn’t deserve to be with anyone, let alone you.”

“Can you drop it?”

Vincent wanted to say no, but he didn’t have time now, and he could see how uncomfortable Peter was.

He never wanted his friend to wish they weren’t spending time together, but at the same time, something needed to be done.

“I’ll drop it, but only for now. It’s time to talk about what the fuck you’re doing with him. ”

“Is having fun an answer you’d accept?”

Vincent snorted. “I would if you were having fun. You’re miserable with him, though, and I get it. Lou is a miserable kind of person, but that’s why you shouldn’t be with him.”

Peter’s shoulders slumped. “Fine. We’ll talk about it later.”

It wasn’t what Vincent wanted to hear, but it was better than what he usually got out of Peter when they talked about it, so he gave up. Talking about Lou was a step forward, and maybe he’d be able to convince his best friend to dump the dickhead.

“Now, let’s focus on you,” Peter continued, leaning forward as he pointed at something in the closet. “Are you finally ready to sleep with him, or is it still too soon?”

Vincent rolled his eyes and grabbed the pair of jeans Peter was pointing at. “I’ll wear these, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with him.”

“Honestly, I don’t get it. You know Ronan. The two of you were together for six years, and it’s not like he left you because he wanted to. You know he loves you and that he never stopped, so why aren’t you all in?”

Vincent swallowed and moved to start changing.

Peter wasn’t wrong. Vincent did know Ronan and that Ronan would never hurt him willingly.

He knew that Ronan wouldn’t leave him, but part of him was still afraid.

What if something happened? What if, for some reason, they lost each other again?

Vincent didn’t think he could survive losing his mate the way he had the first time again.

He didn’t think Ronan would be able to survive that, either, and he didn’t actually think Ronan would leave him.

He was just afraid.

Anyone would be in his place, and he wondered if Peter understood that. As far as Peter was concerned, Vincent had everything he’d lost back. In a way, it was true.

“I want to be with him the way we were before,” he confessed. “But I don’t know if that’s possible.”

“Why not? He didn’t ghost you.”

“I know, and I’m relieved and grateful, but we still spent four years apart.

More than that, he spent four years in a cage.

He’s not the man he was when my father told him I was dead, and I’m not the same man I was when I thought Ronan left me.

Even though we both know that neither of us left willingly, we still lived with those assumptions for years.

He went through hell. Honestly, I’m surprised he can look me in the face. ”

Peter was already shaking his head. “None of that matters. In the end, you’re still Vincent and Ronan. You’re mates. You have to work out.”

There was something desperate in Peter’s voice, as if he was trying to convince himself of that. It made Vincent wonder, but he didn’t have the time to ask the questions that were on his lips. “We might be too different now.”

“You are different, but you’re still you. You’re still mates.”

Peter had never met his mate. It was one of the reasons he was with Lou.

His insistence made Vincent wonder if there was more to this, though.

He’d have to ask Peter. Maybe not in the same conversation when he told Peter to dump Lou, but soon.

There was something going on with Peter, and Vincent needed to be there for him.

Peter had been there for him when he’d lost Ronan, and he still was now that he had Ronan back.

Vincent felt a bit guilty about being so focused on his own life and his problems, especially when it was clear that Peter needed his help, but there was nothing he could do about it now. Peter wouldn’t let him in.

Vincent would have to force his way in, but not today.

“I agree,” he said gently. “And I’m not giving up. Ronan and I have a second chance, and as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter how different we are. We are still mates, and that means something. I just don’t want to rush into this because we don’t know each other anymore.”

“Then get to know him.”

Vincent huffed. “That’s what I’m doing. I’m getting to know him again, but I’m also protecting myself while I do so. I don’t want either of us to be hurt, even by accident.”

It was clear from Peter’s expression that he disagreed, but thankfully, he didn’t argue. He allowed Vincent to finish getting ready while he ignored his phone that kept vibrating on Vincent’s nightstand. Vincent didn’t say anything about that, either. He didn’t have to ask to know who it was.

“You can stay here for as long as you want,” he told Peter on his way out. “And if he knocks on the door, ignore him. I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s no reason for you to go back to him. “

“I don’t know if he’d agree with that,” Peter muttered.

“I don’t care what he thinks.”

Peter gently pushed Vincent away. “Go see your mate.”

“I am, but this isn’t over, Peter. We’re going to talk about what the fuck you’re doing with that dick.”

For once, Peter didn’t make a joke about how Vincent always called Lou names, which told Vincent all he had to know.

It was time for Peter to dump the asshole. He might need some help, but that was okay. Vincent would provide it.

* * * *

THE LAST THING RONAN wanted to do while spending time with Vincent was to talk about Vincent’s father. As far as he was concerned, the man was dead, and that was it. No one should ever mention him again because doing so gave him power.

But Ronan still needed to talk to Vincent.

Vincent knew that Cam was going to have someone look into him, and he hadn’t had a problem with that, but Ronan wanted to confirm it.

He wanted to get this out of the way before anything else happened, just in case.

That was why he was waiting in the parking lot where Vincent always left his car when they had a date.

He wanted to get to Vincent as quickly as possible.

He watched him park the car and climb out and couldn’t help but smile. This man really was his. He was Ronan’s, and Ronan was never letting him go.

He smiled at Vincent when his mate stepped up to him and reached up to kiss his cheek. He wanted to grab Vincent and hold him close, but not yet.

“Sorry I’m late,” Vincent said. “Peter is at my apartment.”

Vincent had told Ronan about Peter’s boyfriend and the fact that Peter shouldn’t be with the asshole, but he hadn’t given Ronan any details.

As much as Ronan liked Peter, he wasn’t sure he wanted any, but it was clear that Vincent was worried, and Ronan wanted to be there for him. “Want to tell me what’s happening?”

“Not really. I mean, I’d tell you, but there’s nothing either of us can do right now. Peter finally agreed to talk to me, though.”

“That’s good.”

“It is as long as he actually does it. He’s been different since he started dating Lou. I’d blame Lou entirely because of the person he is, but I don’t know if I can. Peter’s choosing to stay with him, you know?”

“I’m sure you and Peter will work things out. You’re best friends.”

“We are. He was my rock when you weren’t there, and I want him to be happy.”

“He will be eventually.” Ronan had always liked Peter, and he hoped he was right. Talking about him distracted Ronan from what he was supposed to say, though. He cleared his throat. “I saw Cam before coming here,” he started.

“Oh? Is he still checking on you? You know, I think that’s sweet. He knows you’ve never been in a pack, and he wants to make sure you’re settling down okay. Not all alphas would do that.” Vincent shrugged. “Of course, I’m human, so maybe I’m wrong.”

“You’re not. Not many alphas do that, but Cam is special.”

“I’m happy you found him and his pack.”

“I’m happy about that, too. But, Vincent, I need to talk to you.”

Vincent frowned. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“It’s not bad, either. I already told you about it, but I want to remind you of it. You remember when I told you that Cam mentioned asking someone to look into you?”

Vincent’s frown vanished. “Of course I remember. Has he?”

“We had a meeting with Braden earlier. He owns a private security company, and apparently, they do background checks and things like that. I don’t know how legal all of this is, but he promised to stay away from your personal life, and the only people who will see the information are me and Cam, so you don’t have to worry. ”