“I didn’t bring her to my apartment to make out with her. I swear. My main motivation was to find out if she was even interested in being alone with me. I wanted some privacy to discuss the obvious. She and I, but also you, and reluctantly Stuart.”
“It’s okay. You don’t owe me an explanation.”
“That’s the thing, though, Tarin. I do. From now on I will always owe you an explanation. We all will. The only way we can make this work is if we keep the lines of communication open between each other. Otherwise, we fail ourselves and Ariel.”
Tarin agreed. “And how the hell do we deal with Stuart?” He shuddered, not looking forward to it. He and Stuart had a history that wasn’t pretty. Tarin wasn’t looking forward to even speaking to Stuart, let alone trying to share a woman with the man.
“I was hoping you had some answers. After all, it’s obvious that the two of you have some sort of unresolved history. If you can’t work that shit out, we’re doomed from the start.”
Tarin ran a hand over his head. “I agree.” Fuck. Just fuck. He couldn’t imagine how he and Stu were ever going to manage to see eye to eye about much of anything.
Kester was right. Tarin and Stu had history that went back five years to the time when Stuart first joined The Wanderers and moved into the compound. Not just the compound. It had been Tarin’s mother who sponsored Stuart, so he’d moved in with them for a few months. Right up until he’d stabbed Tarin in the back and walked away. Tarin had chosen to steer clear of Stuart ever since. For five years.
What Tarin hadn’t expected was for a woman to show up and come between them. That was the very last thing he’d expected, in fact. So farfetched and so far down the list that Tarin was still shocked even though he’d been aware of their quiet rivalry from the moment Ariel had arrived three months ago.
Tarin sighed. “I’ll talk to him.”
Kester lifted a brow. “Yeah?”
Tarin nodded. “We have to clear the air. We have no choice. If the council finds out we’re arguing over a woman, they won’t hesitate to kick us out.” He wasn’t exaggerating. Rivalry about women was beyond forbidden. Ariel had a right to make her own decisions, but no man had the right to try to sway her.
It would be easier if Ariel didn’t return Stuart’s affection, but everyone knew she did. She had from the moment she’d met him. Two seconds before he’d decided to give her the cold shoulder as if her age were a factor.
Ariel’s age wasn’t the problem. No one knew that better than Tarin. No one but Stu. Regardless of the bone Tarin had to pick with Stuart, he knew things about Stuart’s past that no one else was aware of.
There was only one reason Tarin would put aside his animosity toward the man who’d once been his best friend for a few brief months—Ariel. For her, he would try to make amends. For her, he would do anything. He really liked her. Not just because there were few women around to choose from, but because she was kind and sweet and fun and smart. She was the entire package. And she seemed to enjoy being with him even though he was slightly awkward and nervous around her.
Jesus, though. Of all the men in the universe I might end up having to share a woman with, why Stuart?Was Stuart even capable of sharing? Tarin was half surprised Stuart hadn’t just snagged Ariel for himself that first day and gone into hiding to avoid sharing her.
The passage of time had only raised more questions for Tarin. Mainly because Stuart had not hooked up with a woman in years as far as Tarin knew.
Tarin inhaled slowly. It was going to be difficult to convince Stuart to see reason and recognize his attraction for Ariel. Tarin didn’t know if he could succeed, but he had to try. If he failed, there was a solid chance one or more of them could be excommunicated.
There were rules among The Wanderers. Number one among them: women had autonomy over their bodies and decisions. Any squabbling or fighting over them was strictly forbidden.
The door opened behind Kester and he spun around at the same time Tarin turned his gaze that way to find Layla arriving.
Layla hesitated halfway through the door. “Sorry. Am I interrupting?”
Tarin shook his head. “No. We were done. Come on in.” He shoved off the desk, his gaze returning to Kester. He hoped to communicate that he understood his task and would handle it.
Layla rounded to her desk but continued standing, tapping the corner with her fingertips as her gaze moved back and forth between the men. “I ran into my sister in the cafeteria a few minutes ago.”
Tarin winced inwardly.
“I don’t mean to pry, but I hope this little meeting you two just had addressed some concerns.”
Tarin nodded. “It did.” He didn’t want to involve Layla any more than necessary. Even though Ariel was her sister, Ariel was an adult who could make her own choices. Layla clearly adored her sister and would take down anyone who crossed her.
Layla furrowed her brow. She undoubtedly wished she could ask about a thousand questions, but it wasn’t her place and she knew it. She pursed her lips and then released them. “I probably shouldn’t get involved, but you should know, she took this morning off to go talk to Stuart. Maybe stay away from the apartment this morning.” She turned her gaze toward Kester.
Kester nodded. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know what crawled up Stu’s ass and decided to stay, but if he doesn’t dislodge it and get himself straightened out, shit is not going to be pretty.”
She was intuitive, and she was right. No one responded.
She sighed and stepped around her desk. “Okay, well, good luck.” She lifted her gaze and looked them both in the eye again. “I know I’ve been part of the problem where Ariel is concerned. I’ve been worried that she’s too young, and I don’t want her to make rash decisions. But I get that she’s older than her years, forced to grow up more than anyone should in the past few months. We both have. I never should have suggested she didn’t know her mind. I see that I was wrong. Hopefully, Stu can see it too. If not…” She shuddered.
No one wanted to consider what would happen if Stu continued down his current stubborn path. Least of all Tarin.