Page 32 of Breaking the Surface
“YOU LOOK HAPPY,” VINCENTsaid.
Peter didn’t answer right away.He kept his gaze on his feet, not wanting to fall on his face or even into the water.He was a water shifter, but when he was in his human form, he’d rather take a dip in the lake wearing swim shorts, not jeans and a t-shirt.
“Iamhappy,” he eventually said, his voice softer than he’d intended.
“I’m glad.You deserve it.”
“I don’t know about that, although I suppose that everyone deserves to be happy.I’m just glad it’s with Braden.”
Vincent nudged their shoulders together.“He’s great, isn’t he?”
“He is.He’s nothing like Lou.”
“Well, that’s a low bar.”
“It’s more than that, though.I know he cares.”
“Because he’s your mate.”
“And because he shows it to me every day.He brought me breakfast in bed this morning.I didn’t ask him to.He just wanted to do something nice.”Something Lou had never done.He wasn’t one for surprises.He wasn’t one to make anyone but himself happy.
“I know things haven’t been easy, but it feels like they’re finally changing for the better, doesn’t it?”
Peter was still afraid to hope that this would last, even though he knew that his mate wasn’t going anywhere.Braden had made him a promise, and he would keep that promise.It was the kind of person he was, and luckily for Peter, it was the kind of person he’d ended up with as his mate.He couldn’t have chosen anyone better for himself than Braden.Hell, he probably wouldn’t have chosen Braden for himself because he wouldn’t have felt like he was good enough, but that was Lou speaking.He’d been the one to repeat that Peter wasn’t enough, not for him, not for anyone else, and that he was lucky that Lou didn’t leave him.Peter had known all of that was bullshit, but he’d still started to believe it.He was still dealing with the consequences of that.
He suspected he would deal with the scars Lou had left on him for a while.He’d left the house to go for a walk with his best friend, but he couldn’t help but be anxious.What if Lou was on his way to find him?What if he attacked them?
Peter squared his shoulders.So what if Lou attacked them?Peter wasn’t afraid to show Lou what he was anymore.He’d rather not because it could create all kinds of problems, but if Lou was stupid enough to attack him and Vincent, Peter wouldn’t stand down.Even if he didn’t have to defend himself, hewoulddefend Vincent, and he’d do so by any means necessary.Vincent was one of the few people who loved Peter and who Peter loved.Peter wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt him.He certainly wouldn’t allow Lou to get anywhere near Vincent.
“You look ready for a fight,” Vincent commented.
“I was thinking about Lou.”
Vincent grimaced.“You’re always thinking about him.I don’t like it.”
“Trust me, I don’t like it any more than you do, but until he gives up, I suspect I’ll think about him often.”
“I hate him,” Vincent muttered, sounding a bit like a child telling their parent that they hated them.It was cute.
“I’m pretty sure you’re not the only one with that opinion.I’m just tired.I want him to disappear from my life and never come back.”
“That’s too much to ask of him.He’s going to stick around and hurt you as much as he can.”
That much was true.Lou had never been one who gave up easily, especially when he felt betrayed or like he was owed something.In his mind, Peter was his, and he owed him loyalty.Peter had left, though.He’d betrayed Lou.Lou wasn’t going to give up until he could get revenge for that.
They moved closer to the trees, and Peter was once again distracted by where he was putting his feet.The forest came so close to the lake here that if he and Vincent put one foot wrong, they would end up in the lake.Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing, after all.The weather was warm enough, and Peter couldn’t remember the last time he’d been for a swim, especially in his kelpie form.He yearned for it, almost as much as he was afraid of letting his guard down.
Something grabbed his arm and pulled hard.He stumbled, crying out as he tried to keep his balance.His side hit a tree, pushing the air out of his lungs.He sucked in a breath, but the hand was still clinging to him, and he automatically tried to push it away.
Peter panicked.The memories assaulted him, reminding him how hurt he’d been the last time something like this had happened.Lou had made him bleed.He’d made him hurt.He was going to do it all over again.
Because there was no doubt in Peter’s mind that this was Lou, even before he turned to face the person holding his arm.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”Vincent snapped as he grabbed Peter’s other arm and pulled.
Peter felt a bit like a rope in a tug-of-war, but Vincent’s gesture reminded him that he wasn’t alone.No matter what Lou said or thought, he wouldn’t win this.He wouldn’t hurt Peter again.
But instead of letting go, Lou’s hand tightened to the point of pain.The panic Peter was feeling turned to urgency, and he shifted before he could think better of it.
