Page 129 of Crystal Luna

Ely leaned against the doorframe. “She’s only been here for a few days. Maybe just give her a little more time?”

Ash flinched as Isaiah began to pull out pieces of glass. “She’s so fucking stubborn that could take years.”

“I mean we were dicks to her for years too…” Ely countered, choking on his words when Ash sent a harsh glare his way.

The front door opening and closing silenced them completely. They knew it was Vel. They stayed quiet until her footsteps disappeared into the master where she turned on the shower.

Ash’s head dropped, the anger suddenly long forgotten as tears gathered in the corners of his eyes. ‘I want her so fucking bad.’

‘You’re not the only one.’

‘I thought if I pushed her like I did yesterday we would. I don’t know, maybe get a little closer. I shouldn’t have pulled Heath into it.’

‘Now you know for next time.’

Once every piece of glass was pulled from Ash’s back, Isaiah sprayed him down with disinfectant and sent him to the clinic. By the time they left the bathroom, Vel had already left the house again. Ely stayed behind as Ash left.

“Do you want to keep what happened quiet?” Ely asked. “I can talk to everyone who was there.”

“No, Ash’s ego might be hurt but silencing what happened will only backfire once Vel figures it out.”

“I wish I could help you two.”

“It’s alright. We just have to be patient.”

“Will she even let you mark her for the ceremony?”

“I hope by then she’s adjusted a little more.”

Ely sighed and studied him. “Talk to me.”

“What is there to talk about, Ely?”

“You’re too calm. I mean you’re always calm but there’s something else there.”

“What do you want me to say? That I fucked up? We all know that already. Or that I wish I could just make her happy which I’ll clearly never be able to do. There’s nothing I can say that we don’t already know.”

“Why would you say you can’t make her happy?”

“Because she doesn’t want me. Fuck if I gave her a reason, she would beat me up just like Ash.”

“How are you and Ash getting along?”

“Fine.”

“Isaiah…” Ely scolded. “Talk to me.”

“We’re making it work. At first it was odd wanting the same woman, but we’re getting used to it. She knows it too. We tell her how we feel. There are times when she lets us talk to her.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Sometimes, but we can handle it—we talk it through.”

“Does it upset you—that you both have different approaches?”

Isaiah sighed and rubbed his temples. “Yes but that way, she can choose what she needs at any moment.”

“Has she shown favouritism?”