***
“Chris?” Though her gaze remained on Chris, her question was directed at Shane.
“Lizzie…” Shane pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, whilst Chris looked from Shane to the obviously boiling brunette.
“Answer me, Shane.” Lizzie’s eyes, which were still trained on Chris, flashed with anger as she inched closer to Chris. “Is this Chris?”
“Yes,” Shane muttered.
Before Chris could blink, Lizzie’s fist swung and landed on his nose with such force he was sure his nose was broken.
“Fuck.” Chris groaned in pain as his hand went to his nose. “What the fuck!” He growled when his hand came back with blood on it. For a lady, Shane’s wife could dish it out real hard, Chris thought with respect despite the pain he was going through.
“Lizzie…” Shane said in shock, pulling Lizzie away from Chris before she could land a second blow. “What has come over you?” He wrapped his arms around Lizzie from behind, locking his arms around her arms. “Will you calm down?”
“Now listen and listen good, you asshole.” Lizzie addressed Chris in a trembling voice, as Chris wiped his bleeding nose with his handkerchief. “If you so much as say one mean word to him, or even look at him with an insulting eye, I’ll kill you. That’s a promise…”
“Lizzie it’s okay…” Shane murmured into Lizzie’s hair. Chris couldn’t help but notice that Shane seemed to be holding on to Lizzie not to stop Lizzie from attacking him, but rather for the need to hold on to something…anything. Shane was shaking like a leaf as he held the angry woman.
“You’ve done enough to ruin his life.” Lizzie went on. “If he were your brother or your son or your friend, you would want to kill you too, trust me. Do you know that thanks to you, the mere thought of commitment terrifies him? He doesn’t trust anyone enough to be in a relationship. He has all this…” Lizzie rolled her eyes, her cheeks wet with angry tears. “But he doesn’t have anyone to share it with, or love because of what you did to him. God, you are evil. To actually tell someone he is worthless and doesn’t deserve to live after he’d given you pleasure. Who does that? If you could do that as a kid, I shiver to think what you’re capable of all grown up. Do well to remember my promise buddy. Because after I’m done with you, I’ll make the life of anyone you love a living hell.”
With that last threat, Lizzie turned within Shane’s arms and cupped his cheeks within her palms. Shane wiped the tears from Lizzie’s cheeks and leaned down to press a kiss on her forehead. He hadn’t bothered stopping Lizzie from venting because he knew her very well…and knew that she would never be okay till she’d said her piece.
“I’ll be fine.” He said softly. “I promise. Okay?”
Lizzie nodded. “I’ll tell Adele you have a lot of work to do so you’ll come see her later. Okay?”
Shane nodded. “I’ll pass by this evening before she goes to bed. My regards to Sam.”
“I’ll tell him. Take care.” Then with a final glare at Chris, Lizzie left the office.
Shane stared at Chris, his eyes filled with unmistakable guilt. Chris stared back with sad and defeated eyes framed by impossibly long lashes. Shane’s heart was racing… One look into Chris’ eyes and he could see into his very soul…he could see Chris’ pain and desolation. One look, and whatever Chris had done in the past didn’t seem so important anymore.
All the fight seeped out of Shane, leaving regret in its wake. He didn’t know what was going through Chris’ mind at that particular moment. He was dying to know but knew he couldn’t ask. Not after his harsh words to Chris earlier. Damn, why had he said all that, Shane cursed himself silently. Seeing how hurt and crushed Chris was and knowing that his cruel words were the cause of Chris’ pain was killing Shane.
Chris stared down at the bloody handkerchief in his hand. He felt numb inside. Fortunately, his nose didn’t feel like it was broken and the bleeding had stopped. He was strung too tight with too many emotions he simply wanted to turn around and walk away but first, he needed to know… “Is it true?” Chris asked quietly.
“Is what true?” Shane asked, moving to stand in front of Chris. When he raised his hand towards Chris’ face with the clear intention of touching his face, Chris moved out of reach. With a look of regret and an unhappy sigh, Shane allowed his hands to fall by his side.
“Is it true you’ve…never been in a relationship?”
Yes, Shane had never been in a relationship before but that was not something a man went around telling others. It had been almost two years since he’d even been with anyone sexually. When he really needed to, he always had his hand. It did help him satisfy the physical need for release, but it didn’t stop the craving for companionship sometimes.
There were a thousand and one ladies out there who would jump at the chance of being in a relationship with Shane but he just wasn’t interested. And he’d never wanted to go near guys again because of his experience with Chris. Somehow, the mere thought of being with a guy terrified him, though he knew there was nothing to be afraid of. He’d learned to cope with what life had to offer him and he was okay with it…till now. He wanted it all!
“How’s your nose?” Shane asked instead of answering Chris’ question.
“You don’t have to pretend to be concerned about me please.”
That hurt. “Fuck you, Chris.” Shane breathed.
Much as Chris felt betrayed, hurt and regretful for Shane’s behavior, words, and all that had gone on in that office, he was angry as well. After all, he was human. Chris, however, couldn’t help but feel he didn’t have any right to stay angry at Shane, or even get angry no matter what Shane did to him. Though what Shane had told him was hurtful, Shane had been angry at him for years and had every right to vent whenever he felt like it.
Chris just hoped he would be strong enough to hold it in as he’d done that day. He wasn’t the kind of person who allowed himself to be walked over and treated like trash but he was going to try for Shane’s sake, Chris thought grimly. But although he’d psyched himself up to suppress his anger no matter what, Chris knew that at that very moment, he was hanging on to his emotions by a very thin thread. He was on the edge of emotionally falling apart. His best option was to get out of Shane’s office whilst he still had a hold on the explosion churning within him.
“I’m out of here,” Chris said in a hoarse voice and turned to go.