Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

you want to blame anyone for bringing this shit up, blame your boyfriend!” Marcus scoffs, holding his hands up in surrender.

“He’s not my boyfriend. Why are you being such a prick?”

Ayden stands from the coffee table, ignoring my squabble with his cousin, and moves to Garrett’s side, looking him dead in the eyes. I’m not sure what he’s doing, but he stares hard and long at Garrett before a softness overtakes his features, and he looks to me in question.

“I’m still screwed in the head, Ayden. I didn’t see Garrett walk into the bathroom. I saw Mike.”

Realisation dawns on Ayden’s face, and he shifts his eyes back to Garrett, offering him his hand. Garrett takes it, and they do some sort of bro hug. Then, saying nothing, Ayden takes my hand and leads me back to the couch.

Ugh. Guys are so weird!

Moving back to the coffee table, Ayden keeps his eyes on me, “You had another panic attack?”

Nodding, I feel the shame crawl up my spine like a hairy spider.

“Marcus and I helped Lexi. We made sure she was covered up and took care of her. No one mistreated her.” Jared offers the information, which comes across a lot fucking kinder than how Marcus was re-telling it.

Ayden gives a nod before shooting his glare to Simon, “Strip poker?”

“Okay, okay, look.” Simon puts up his hands in surrender, “I was the only one that stripped, and not just because Lexi was kicking my arse at the game, but because I was trying to be a funny bastard. She needed laughter in her life, and I delivered. There’s no way I would have taken my jocks off, though. I’ll only do that if she asks. Besides, if I had of, there’s no way she would have wanted you back.”

In a blur of movement, Ayden is off the coffee table with Simon’s feet barely touching the ground as he lifts him by the scruff of his school shirt. Curse's fly, Garrett and Shaun leaping up to talk Ayden down while all I seem to be able to do is watch.

I don’t remember Ayden being this aggressive or angry. Well, unless you count the day after the incident with Muz and the drugs. There was definitely aggression then.

Marcus, the arsehole, is still lounging back in the armchair, looking like a smug prick. What the fuck is his problem? What is going on?

Needing to get the situation under control, I speak up over their voices.

“I’ve got better things to do than watch you measure your dicks.” I know they are my friends, but they are acting like jealous lovers, and I’ve had enough. In all fairness, Ayden should be the only one acting that way.

My outburst gets their attention, and Ayden, still with his eyes trained on Simon, drops his hold on him, letting him fall back to the floor.

“What else do you want to know, Ayden?” I ask, and everyone seems to calm down and return to their seats. Ayden turns to face me before stomping back to sit on the coffee table.

“Sleeping arrangements? There seems to be a lot of guys wanting to cosy up to you.” He throws a glare at Marcus, and he bites.

“Fuck you, Ayden! You know why she was sleeping in my bed last night!” For a moment, it looks like Marcus is going to leap out of his seat, but he stays put, balancing on the edge.

“You slept with Lexi last night? I thought Simon was joking around about that earlier.” Garrett adds, and I have to fight the urge to dick punch him.

“I slept beside her. On. The. Floor! There’s a fucking difference!” Marcus hisses at Garrett.

“She looked pretty fucking cosy in your bed!” Ayden snaps.

“You know I slept on the floor, Ayden! You don’t fucking own her. What gives you the right to swing your dick around?”

I stand, “Right well, I’m leaving since you are all swinging your dicks around.”

“Wait, Lex.” Ayden grabs my wrist as I try to move past him, and I hear the others mutter apologies.

“Sorry, Lex. I just need to know the details. Once I have them, I’ll back off, I swear.”

Simon scoffs, but Ayden ignores him.

“Please, Lex, fill in the blanks for me. Tell me what these pricks are leaving out.”

Glancing around the small living room, I take in these boys, my so-called pack. They all mean well. They’ve been looking after me, and even though they have been borderline possessive, I can’t hate them for it. I get that Ayden has walked into a strange situation, but I need him to understand because I really do need all of them in my life. Even if I don’t deserve them.

“Fine,” I sigh, snatching my wrist out of Ayden’s grip and moving across the room. I don’t want to sit down anymore. I’m feeling cagey, so I stand by the entrance, knowing I can make a quick escape if needed.

“You know about the shower incident already, and Garrett and I would rather never speak of it again, please.”

Ayden nods, keeping his eyes on me from where he’s still perched on the coffee table.

“I did kick Simon and Garrett’s arse at poker. I remained fully clothed, not just because I was winning but because Simon was the only one playing strip poker. I don’t take my clothes off for just anyone.” I shoot Ayden a pointed glare and ignore the fact that the others notice it too. “The guys slept near me depending on the situation of each night, and yes, Ayden, it’s because I’ve turned into a pathetic, needy wimp, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure not to sleep next to anyone again just to make you fucking happy!”

“You’re angry?” Ayden asks softly.

“You think?” I snap.

“Good. You should be angry. That anger is what’s going to help you get through this.”

“This anger is what is destroying me!” I scream, not able to control the pained words ripping from my mouth. Silence fills the room as stupid hot tears burst free.

“That’s why we’re