“It’s up to you,” Ares answers without looking up, taking on the role of the leader.
“Do you want to stay?” I ask Milo, he turns to Ollie on his other side.
“We could, but it’s up to you,” Ollie offers. I stand up from my stool, taking mine and Ares’s plates since they’re already empty to the sink. A quick rinse and I shelf them in the dishwasher, and then I place my rump on the front of the sink, crossing my arms over my middle.
I’m trying very hard to ignore the fact that Mia is here, listening to our conversation, when she asks, “You guys are going to Columbia?”
Ollie slaps a hand on Milo’s back. “This guy has some fancy ass football banquet tonight. We’re just tagging along.”
My nerves are frayed, and I look over at the clock, noting the time. I really need to get into the shower, and I also need to know what to wear and whether I need to pack. I tip my chin down and look at the floor, waiting until I have an answer, or for Mia to leave so I can ask. Pursing my lips, I peek over at Ares. He’s already dressed for the day, but he’s not much help. He usually always wears slacks and a button-down—the only exception is when he’s at home relaxing.
“I’m going to grab a shower,” I say over the guys’ conversation, still debating if we’re going to come back home tonight. Ares stands immediately with his eyes on mine. He opens his mouth but looks over at Mia, whose eyes are glued to him. His brow furrows as he brings his hand up over his mouth.
“I need to grab a few things, I’ll come with,” Milo states, surprising me, before taking his plate to the sink and setting it down.
Ares’s eyes narrow on Milo’s back before he glances at his brother and Ollie. His mouth pops open and he mumbles, “Let me know what you guys decide so I can make arrangements.” Then he strides out the door before any of us can beat him to it.
Mia stares in his direction long after he’s gone, her brows pinched together as she bites the corner of her nail. Focusing on Milo, she tilts her head before she gives a doe-eyed expression. “I love Columbia. Mind if I tag along, too?”
Dante chokes on the bite he just shoveled into his mouth. I round the bar and pat his back as he coughs. “Oh, um, I’m not even sure we’re staying yet, and we’re meeting up with my family,” Milo stammers.
Mia’s face twists into a wry grin. “Oh, that’d be perfect. You guys don’t mind, do you?” Her voice comes out almost like a whine. I roll my eyes, ready for this show to be over. Ares is the smart one; he got out of Dodge.
“I’m going,” I deadpan before anyone can form a response. Milo’s eyes go wide, like he can’t believe I’m leaving him to handle this. I shake my head at him, he can handle it, he a big boy.
Ares is leaning against the headboard when I open the door. His legs are crossed at the ankle, shoes off, and his fingers are laced behind his head. Coming to a complete stop, I accuse, “You play dirty.”
Without an ounce of regret, Ares shrugs his shoulders. “You have no idea.” The yet hangs unspoken between us.
Planting my hands on my hips I tell him, “She already invited herself along.”
Ares rolls his eyes, looking more his age than I’ve ever seen. “She’s not coming.”
“Oh no? Then why didn’t you stick around to tell her that?” My voice is airy, but the challenge is clear.
“I have other things I’d rather be doing than wasting my time on her.” Ares’s pupils start to bleed past his irises. My heart rate quickens. He’s only across the room, but it feels like he’s so far away. Ollie told me it would be easier to be apart, but he didn’t mention how hard it would be when we’re together. My hand goes up to my neck, my fingers dancing over the base of my throat, as I fight the pull I feel to touch him.
Ares licks his lips. “Come here.” His chin dips down as he peers at me from under his lashes. My feet take me closer without thought, and I stop at the edge of the bed. “Closer,” he beckons, his eyes closing as he takes a long blink. Planting my knee on the bed next to him, he doesn’t move. I brace my hand on his wide shoulder, bringing my other knee up to the bed.
“I need to get in the shower,” I remind both of us in a voice barely louder than a whisper.
“We have a little time,” Ares promises, his hand wrapping around my waist. As I settle my rump down on my heels, his eyes search mine, and the darkness in his expands even farther. “Are you okay?” I swallow, not expecting him to ask that question. When I don’t answer right away, his hand reaches up to brush my hair over my shoulder. “I know there’s a lot going on, but are you okay with what happened between us?”
My mouth goes a little dry and my tongue feels thick. I jerk my head up and down a few times. “It feels different,” I confess, dropping my hands in my lap. Ready to have some answers and information, but a little unnerved to be about talking about it.
“I know, Cara,” Ares tells me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it sooner.”
I look down at the buttons on his shirt, not sure I can meet his eyes as I ask, “Does it feel different to you, too? The connection?”
I chance a peek up at him and see that he’s relaxed back against the headboard with one hand on the side of my thigh, and the other palm up on the bed beside us. He gives me a look that says I’m crazy for not already knowing it’s different for him, too. But it’s not condescending; it’s more like how could you not know. “Yes, it does,” he answers anyway. Reaching for my shoulder, he pulls me against him, and I settle into his side with my head on his chest as I rearrange my legs. I know I need to get ready, but I can’t tear myself away from him.
Ares’s head knocks back against the wall. “Don’t tell the guys, but I really would rather just stay here,” he admits as his fingers trace over the skin on my inner forearm.
“I’m nervous,” I divulge, since it feels safe to say it, alone with him. He wraps his arms around my shoulders holding me tight to his side.
“You have nothing to be nervous about, but I understand why you are.” He settles himself back, keeping his arms locked around me. “I think meeting them will help you understand a little bit more about our situation.”
The door opens without a knock, and I look up without moving from my position. Mia stops in the doorway. Her face blanching as she gazes at us on the bed, her eyes leave us long enough to take in the rest of the room. Her brows draw together before looking back at us.
“Mia?”
“I looked for you in the office,” she answers Ares before he can question why she’s here. This will get really old, really fast. Mia’s eyes track the movement of my hand as I push myself against Ares’s thigh, preparing to get up. His arm, however, tightens against my side, locking me in place.
“I’m not working today,” he tells her gently. Mia licks her lips and shifts her weight.
“I need to talk to you.” Her eyes dart to me. I know she means alone.
Ignoring her silent plea, Ares says, “All right, what did you need?”
Mia shifts again, her hip jutting out to the side as her chin lifts an inch. “It’s private.”