CHAPTER 16

While he slept, Nick forgot about the lunch table argument with his brothers. Or rather, his brother. Maybe it was Quinn’s drama, maybe it was the peace and quiet of Adam’s apartment, but creepy didn’t come crashing back into his brain until Gabriel opened the bathroom door the next morning, while Nick was brushing his teeth.

Every muscle in his body tensed. He wanted to shove Gabriel back out and slam the door in his face.

Instead, he spit toothpaste into the sink and wiped his mouth without looking at him.

“What is up with you?” said Gabriel.

“Nothing is up with me.” Nick moved to edge past him.

Gabriel caught him around the neck and roughed up his hair. “I know how to make you talk, Nicky.”

The motion was good-natured, the kind of thing that would usually make him laugh.

But Nick twisted free and shoved Gabriel into the wall so hard it rattled the towel rack. He pinned him there and forced his voice to stay low. “Leave me alone. Okay?”

Gabriel stared at him, identical blue eyes searching his. He could have fought back, but he didn’t. “Sure, Nick. Whatever you want.”

Whatever you want. Yeah, right.

Nick let him go and stepped into the hallway, jerking the door shut behind him. His throat felt tight, and he had no idea what expression was on his face, but it must not have been good. Chris stood there in the hallway, and when Nick met his eyes, Chris put his hands up and took a step back.

Damn it. He couldn’t find the right rhythm with anyone lately.

Nick went into his bedroom and closed the door. Hunter was already downstairs, his air mattress made like a military bunk. Nick sat on the edge of his bed and put his head in his hands.

Part of him wished Gabriel had fought back, had pushed and needled and forced the truth out of him.

Part of him wanted to go back in the bathroom and punch his twin brother.

A knock sounded at his door.

Nick stared at the six-foot panel of wood and wondered if fate was going to deliver those options on a silver platter.

Then the door cracked open, just enough to let his younger brother peek through. “It’s Chris.” A pause. “Can I come in?”

Nick sighed. “Sure.”

Chris opened the door, but he didn’t come inside. He leaned against the doorjamb and looked hesitant. “I don’t want to get in the middle of something, here.”

Please. Pry. Tell me you’ve figured everything out.

“It’s fine,” Nick said. It wasn’t even seven a.m. and he was already exhausted. “What’s up?”

“Are you and Quinn all right?”

Nick let out a frustrated breath. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”