Read Online Warrior's Craft Four Guys & A Witch by Cheryl Dragon - Free Book Online Page A

putting up walls and think about it.” DC put his hands up. “You know what? You’re right. If you don’t feel it, you don’t. If saying I love you doesn’t make you think or pause or feel at all -- I don’t want you. It’s all in my head.”
    DC turned and headed toward the stairs.
    “Where are you going?” Reed asked.
    “Packing up my things and saying good-bye. I can’t handle it. And I’m your weakest link anyway.” He held up his healing arm. “You’ll be stronger without me.”
    * * *
    For a few minutes, Reed stood frozen in the kitchen. DC had done the unthinkable. Bailing on the group? The pain hit Reed in the chest. It wouldn’t work better. It wouldn’t work at all!
    Storming up the stairs, he pushed DC into his bedroom and locked the door behind them. “You can’t leave, you coward. You can’t quit on this. You’re the brains. We need you.”
    DC shrugged and grabbed his suitcase from the closet. “Keep blaming everyone else, Reed. You had a messed up childhood, poor you. I know you got the abuse, and then yanked between strict religious obedience and the pagan side. That’s why I let all this slide for so long. That’s my bad for letting you use it.”
    “Use it?” Reed wanted to hit DC and do other things. “Use it? I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
    “It’s an excuse for not letting people in.” DC dumped a drawer full of clothes in his suitcase.
    “Phoebe.” Reed felt his control slipping. The edge was coming up on him, and he couldn’t jump or fly. “I love her.”
    “So do I. That’s not the problem. Are you really so locked down you don’t get it?” DC paused his packing. “Back in college, I wasn’t the only one. Andy and Jude thought you and I would be a couple. Part of them inviting me into that group thing was to see if I liked both. We were such good friends, and they thought you were into me. Maybe it’d make you jealous or get some interest. I trusted their instincts. They know gay men. Immature college crap, maybe, but it felt good. If I’m wrong, tell me.”
    Reed leaned on the door. DC couldn’t go. It just couldn’t happen. “I had an uncle who was gay. My dad found out and refused to talk to him. Ever. My mother couldn’t see her brother.”
    “Your dad is an asshole. How many times have you told me that? You feel guilty because you can’t live up to everyone’s expectations, but that’s because you know they’re wrong. So you just go be miserable. Enjoy the suffering, and try to please everyone but yourself. I’m done.” DC opened his closet and yanked clothes off hangers.
    In the years they’d known each other, Reed had seen DC lose his temper so rarely it was like a nightmare. DC was the rock. They could all think Reed was the tough one, but DC was the core to Reed. The longing he’d shut down so hard forced its way to the top.
    “You’re right.” Reed exhaled loudly. “My dad screwed up my life, my mother’s, and my whole family. If Nana wasn’t a secret pagan, I swear I’d be as much of a jerk as Dad was.”
    DC shook his head. “No, you wouldn’t. You’re not. You’re worried about Phoebe and saving people dumb enough to go into a demon dive bar. You’re good, Reed. You deserve to be happy, but you won’t believe it.”
    Reed couldn’t figure out what to say. His emotions welled up, and he had no voice.
    “Or maybe I’m just not who will make you happy. Either way, it’s the same result for me.” DC zipped his bag. “Andy can send me the rest.”
    “No!” Reed stepped up as his brain gave up the fight. “You’re not leaving. You’re not wrong.”
    “I’m not debating with you, Reed. No more arguing or excuses. You’ll feel better. One less guy so you won’t feel like Phoebe is being overwhelmed. I won’t be staring at you. We’ll both be better off.” DC looked for his shoes.
    Reed laughed. “Phoebe loves all of it. She can take care of herself, and no one here would push her or take advantage. I know