Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood 10)

Qhuinn, I was going to call -

Qhuinn grabbed the guy by the back of the neck and shoved him face-first into the land of pool and popcorn. Just past the threshold, John pushed free and went gunning for the bar. Picking up a bottle of Jack, he ripped the thing open.

"Do you think this is a fucking joke?" Qhuinn jabbed at the tattooed tear that was under his eye. "I'm supposed to be with you every second of the night and day, asshole. I've been lying for you for the last forty minutes - "

"It's true. He has. "

As Blay spoke up from behind, it was a surprise. And kind of nice.

I went to see Xhex, okay. Right now, she's my priority.

Qhuinn threw up his hands. "Great. So when V is stabbing my pink slip into my chest, you can still feel good about yourself. Thanks. "

"John, you can't light-head stuff like this. " Blay went around and grabbed a glass, like he was afraid their buddy was going to suck the bottle down whole. "Give me that. "

He took the booze, poured a healthy dose, and. . .

Drank it himself.

"What," he muttered as he got stared at. "Here, take it back if you want. "

John took a swig and then stared into space. After a moment, he shoved the Jack in Qhuinn's direction.

Rolling his eyes, Qhuinn muttered, "At least this is the kind of apology I'll accept. "

As he took the bottle, it dawned on him that it had been ages since the three of them had been together. Back before their transitions, they'd spent every night after training in Blay's old room at the guy's parents' house, pissing away the hours playing video games and drinking beer and talking about the future.

And now that they were finally where they'd wanted to be? Everyone was going in a different direction.

Then again, John was right. The guy was properly mated now, so of course his focus was somewhere else. And Blay was having a rockin' good time with Saxton the Slut.

Qhuinn was the only one pining for the GODs.

"Fucking hell," he muttered to John. "Let's just forget it - "

"No," Blay cut in. "This is not okay. You cut the shit, John - you let him come with you. I don't care if you're going to be with Xhex or not. You owe this to him. "

Qhuinn stopped breathing, focusing everything he had on the male who had been his best friend and his never-been lover. . . and the ever-after that was never going to happen.

Even after all the things that had gone on between them, and all the fuckups on his end, which were legendary, Blay still had his back.

"I love you," Qhuinn blurted into the silence.

John lifted up his hands and signed, I love you, too. And I'm really fucking sorry. This thing with Xhex and I has. . .

Blah, blah, blah. Or, Blah, blah, blah, as the case was with the ASL.

Qhuinn wasn't hearin

g a thing. As John went on and on, explaining his sitch, Qhuinn was tempted to interrupt and cop to not just what he'd said, but who he'd said it to. Except all he could think of was Blay coming in with Sax, and that f-in' blush.

It took everything he had in him to look at John and squeeze out, "We can work it out, all right? Just let me follow you - I won't look, I promise. "

John was signing something. Qhuinn was nodding. Then Blay started pulling away, taking a step back and then another and then a third.

More conversation. Blay talking.

And then the male turned and strode out. To get food. To go up to Saxton.