with me.”
“That’s not what Ash says.”
“Ash needs to keep his fucking mouth shut.”
Gabe’s frown deepened. “What’s going on with you and Ash? This isn’t like you. Ash is as tight-lipped as you are, but it’s obvious you’re pissed at each other. He said you’re all sorts of fucked up over a woman. Anything you want to talk about?”
“Bethany is not up for discussion,” Jace said in a frigid tone. “Besides, if there’s anything you want to know, I’m sure Ash’s background check will provide fodder for gossip between you two.”
Gabe’s expression turned from concern to pissed off in two seconds flat. “What the fuck is up your ass, Jace? I’m not gossiping about anyone. I don’t know fuck about some goddamn background check. I don’t even know who the hell Bethany is and I’m damn sure not gossiping about her with Ash. Ash hasn’t said fuck-all either, for that matter.”
Jace knew he was being a dick. He knew he was a flaming hypocrite. He’d never let his friends get away with the shit he was pulling. But he was still pissed at Ash for trying to warn him off Bethany. And if he were completely honest, he was still pissed that Ash had fucked her. Maybe he’d never forgive Ash for that even though Jace had gone along with it. Even with his instincts screaming like a motherfucker, he’d allowed it to happen. He’d hated every goddamn minute of it, but he’d still let it happen. Maybe he hated himself most of all.
“Bethany is someone I care about,” Jace said, forcing himself to speak calmly. “That’s all you need to know. She needs help—my help—and there’s no way in fuck I’m turning my back on her.”
“Do you need my help?” Gabe asked.
And there it was. The unconditional friendship that had existed since they were in college. Always there, at each other’s backs. They’d taken some knocks, no doubt. Gabe’s relationship with Mia had been the most recent threat. But not even the fact that Gabe was fucking Jace’s baby sister and that he’d broken her heart in the process had been able to destroy the bonds of friendship that existed between them.
Gabe had made things right with Mia. He’d made them right with Jace.
Jace sighed and then his hands relaxed, his fingers uncurling from the tight fists they’d formed.
“No, man, but I appreciate it,” he said in a low voice. “I’m not crazy. I’m not obsessed.” Okay, maybe he was, but it sounded a hell of a lot creepier than it was in reality. “This is something I have to—need to—do. Bethany’s different. She’s special. And I don’t even completely understand why or how. But I saw her and things changed. Everything changed. And I have to go with it now or spend the rest of my life regretting it.”
“I get that,” Gabe said slowly. “Believe me, I get that.”
“Yeah, I guess you do. Mia,” Jace said by way of saying he understood.
“Yeah. Mia.”
“Then you get why I just need some space and time to deal with this my own way.”
Gabe nodded. “I get it. Ash would too, if you just explained. He’s pissed, Jace. Not because of Bethany. Not because you’ve seemingly gone off your hinges. He’s pissed because he’s worried about you and you’ve shut him out. You more than anyone know he’d do anything in the goddamn world for you.”
Jace briefly closed his eyes as guilt sludged through his veins. “Yeah, I know.”
Fuck it all. He hated it when Gabe was right. Smug, superior bastard. Even now he had that knowing glint in his eyes.
“I gotta get out of here. I left Bethany at the apartment. She’s taking Mia’s old place.”
Gabe lifted an eyebrow in clear confusion. “Surprised you didn’t lock her up in your place. Ash said things were pretty . . . intense.”
“How the fuck would he know?” Jace muttered. “I wanted to give her some space. Some time to adjust before I just take over. And you know that’s what will happen. Me taking over. It’s inevitable and I want her secure and confident in herself—in me—before this turns into something else entirely.”
Gabe nodded. Yeah, he’d understand better than anyone. Except Ash. The need and desire for control was a trait all three shared. Not just in certain aspects. In everything. In and out of bed. But yeah, especially in bed.
Bethany had seen nothing of the way things would be with him and she was already so fragile, so damn unsure of herself and