Page 77 of Embraced in Ink
Marcus shook his head. “Not really.”
“Well, you’re not really going to have a choice if you don’t talk soon. This isn’t likeCaptain America, where you’re allowed to burst those bags. We’re at a public gym.”
It was the middle of the weekend, and they were pretty much the only two people in the place, but Ronin was right. Marcus shouldn’t be breaking shit.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said after a moment.
“You’re going to have to. Mostly because I don’t think it’s healthy for you to bottle it all up.”
Marcus looked pointedly at Ronin, who gave a shrug.
“I know I’m a hypocrite. However, we’re not talking about me. You’re the one going through a crisis. And I have a feeling it has to do with Bristol because you’re all growly and you turned off your damn phone. You never turn off your phone in case your family or she needs you.”
“Come on. I’ve had enough. I’m done. Or I guess I will actually break something if I keep going like this.”
“Good. Well, we’ll get a beer or something. I don’t know. Anything to get your mind off whatever the fuck is going on.”
One of the older men next to them narrowed his eyes at Ronin’s language, but Marcus just rolled his eyes. He was a little tired of having to defend himself when he really didn’t have a defense. And cursing when they were at a gym was something the guy would have to deal with. Plus, it wasn’t like Ronin had screamed it or anything.
“Yeah, I could use a beer. Or something stronger.”
Ronin’s brows rose.
“Well, that’s not good. You don’t usually drink the hard stuff.”
“I can start now.”
“Is it Bristol?”
They were in the locker room now, changing, and Marcus sighed. “I think it’s over.”
Ronin cursed. “Over-over?”
“I don’t know what we’re going to be able to get back to, but yeah, I ended it.”
Ronin was quiet for long enough that Marcus was afraid the other man had left.
He turned.
“You’re the one who ended it?”
Marcus nodded. "Yeah. I had to. It was inevitable."
“Are you an idiot?” Ronin asked.
“That’s not very helpful.” His gut ached, and he felt like he hadn't slept in years, but hell, hearing Ronin agreeing with him about his stupid choices wasn't what he wanted to hear.
“No, I guess it’s not very helpful. I thought you loved her. What happened?”
Marcus shrugged. “Long story.”
“You can tell me that story later after we get back from the hospital,” a voice said from behind them, and Marcus turned on his heel to see Aaron standing there, a glower on his face.
“Hospital? What do you mean?” tension gripped him, and Marcus moved forward.
“Maybe you need to turn on your fucking phone.”
Marcus had never seen Aaron look like he did right now. Seriously, Aaron was the easiest-going and most laid-back guy Marcus knew. Right then, though, it looked like he wanted to rip the roof off the building, or Marcus’s head right from his body.