Page 64 of Love Hate

If ever a hole could open in the ground and swallow me up, then would have been a great time for it.

Leo looked back at me and his gaze narrowed before he turned back to Mark. “Did you do that to him?”

“Look,” I said, hoping to stop the situation from escalating. I really didn’t want people to start noticing us.

“Shut up,” they both snapped at me before turning back to each other.

“You are so out of line right now,” Leo told his brother. “First of all, he didn’t make me do anything. Second, it’s none of your goddamned business. Third, what the fuck do you mean you saw me?”

“I followed you to that club,” Mark spat. “You were always sneaking off and I wanted to know what you were doing.”

“So you went and you saw and instead of talking to me about it, instead of being fucking ashamed of yourself for watching me fuck somebody, you decided to track him down and break his face?” Leo shook his head. “You need help.”

“What I need is for Andy to fuck off,” Mark said.

“Happy to,” I said, taking a step backward. “I will fuck all the way off.”

“No,” Leo said, reaching out to snag my sleeve and pull me back. “This shit ends right now.”

Jesus fuck.

“Apologize,” Leo told his brother.

“I’m not fucking apologizing to him.”

“I don’t want his fucking apology.”

“Two of us in the conversation are adults,” Leo reminded his brother. “Consenting adults who are free to do whatever the fuck we want with each other and it’s none of your business beyond that. He didn’t make me do anything, Mark. You were in the club. You know what it was for.”

“And it’s fucking gross,” Mark spat.

“That’s your opinion,” Leo said. “And I don’t give a fuck what you think. But you’re going to leave him alone.” He looked back at me. “Andy, right?”

I nodded.

Where was a giant hole in the ground when you really needed it?

“Leave Andy alone. I mean it. Because I will kick your ass so thoroughly that you’ll never even want to think about sex, let alone ever have it again.” Leo turned to me again. “I don’t suppose you want my apology either?”

“Not necessary,” I said.

“You should have pressed charges,” Leo told me.

That was probably true, but what was done was done and honestly, as long as Mark left me the fuck alone, I didn’t care anymore.

“Whatever,” Mark grumbled. “Fine. Andy, I’m sorry or whatever.”

“Convincing,” Leo said, huffing out a sigh.

“Good enough,” I said. “Just stay the fuck away from me.”

I reached out and shook Leo’s hand then walked off, not wanting to get dragged any further into that nightmare than I already had.

The apartment was suddenly even more attractive than it had been ten minutes earlier and I turned to head back, but unfortunately found my sister and my parents standing in my way.

“Good lord, Andrew,” Mom said, raking her gaze over me. “What on earth has happened to your face?”

“Rugby scuffle,” I lied. “It’s no big deal. Hello, Mother. Father.”