Secret (Elemental 4)

Sure.

The line inched along. An older couple came in and got in line behind him.

Nick took another slow breath. Maybe this would be like it had been with Michael. Maybe it would be okay. Awkward at first, but . . . okay.

No, Gabriel was nothing like Michael. Gabriel would have a reaction.

Who do you think the hottest person in the restaurant is?

Then Gabriel would pick some girl, and Nick could pick the busboy who looked a little like Adam.

Jesus, he sounded like a frigging moron. These were the best ideas his brain could come up with? No wonder he was failing physics.

Some girls came in, giggling and jostling each other as they moved to the end of the line. He could smell their perfume from here, bubblegum sweet. Nick ignored them, shifting forward one place when the line moved.

But then he caught the tail end of what one girl was saying. “. . .

out front look like they’re gonna fight.”

Fight. A word practically synonymous with Gabriel.

Nick turned. The lights inside made it difficult to make out what was going on behind the glass, but he could see his brother’s form. He looked like he was talking to someone.

Then Nick saw the shove, hard enough to make the other person fall back.

Nick swore and gave up his place in line. Had Tyler followed them here somehow?

But then he got close enough to the glass storefront to make out Gabriel’s opponent.

Adam.

Nick’s heart tripped and stalled in his chest. He couldn’t remember how to breathe. He couldn’t remember how to move.

How had this happened?

Adam had his hands up. He looked agitated, but he didn’t want to fight.

Gabriel shoved him anyway. Adam fell back another step.

That forced Nick’s feet into motion. He needed to stop this.

Now.

Cold air hit him in the face, carrying Gabriel’s voice, low and angry. “What the f**k do you mean, you’re sorry about last night? What are you doing to my brother?”

“Stop!” Nick said. Neither paid attention to him.

“It’s a misunderstanding,” said Adam, his voice careful.

Gabriel shoved him again, harder. “A misunderstanding?”

Adam fell back, but he kept his hands up. “Yeah.” Now his voice was edged with anger. “Just calm down.”

“Calm down? You want me to calm down?” Gabriel shoved him again.

Adam gave up the surrender position and shoved him back.

Gabriel drew back an arm to hit him.