Chapter 185: The Wound I Didn’t See Coming

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: The Wound I Didn’t See Coming

~Evric’s POV~

Zayn smiled sweetly, leaning back in his seat. "Blame my man for that."

"Excuse me, Zayn?" Nicki challenged, his voice sharp. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Zayn just met Nicki’s gaze, completely unbothered, and shrugged slightly. "It means exactly what it sounds like. We’re not all desperate enough to need a headcount to validate our night, Nicki."

Nicki’s face tightened instantly. "Zayn, are you actually trying to insult me right now?"

"Oh, please, Nicki," Zayn countered, his voice dripping with theatrical boredom. "Don’t even dare act like I said something wrong, because you started it first. If you don’t want me to speak this way to you, then keep your mouth shut."

Nicki looked ready to launch himself off the couch, but Dean, sensing the escalating drama, quickly cut in to diffuse the tension. "Alright, alright, guys, cool it. We just got here, save the testosterone for later. Zayn, congratulations on surviving your man." He shot me a wry grin. "Evric, did you at least bring a receipt for the damage?"

I smiled back, finally recovering my composure from the shock of Zayn’s brazenness. "The damage was intentional," I said smoothly, "and the payment was already rendered in cuddles and a lot of kisses."

Zayn beamed, leaning into my side. "You hear that, Dean? My man can have me and ruin me anyhow he wants, because he owns me and he doesn’t need anyone else." Zayn paused, his eyes flicking pointedly toward Nicki. "Especially someone who is disloyal and only offers sex."

Nantam and Dean let out a stunned, audible "Huh?" The surprise of hearing Zayn speak so sharply and so possessively, was clear on their faces. Nicki, who clearly knew the words were a direct hit, stiffened and looked away from Zayn, his gaze shifting to me. I quickly averted my eyes; even I didn’t know the full extent of the dramatic war Zayn was playing, and his words were definitely landing hard on me, too.

I decided to retreat. "Babe, I’m going to head into the room," I said quietly.

Zayn gripped my arm immediately, his need for me visible. "No, baby, don’t go inside. What if I need something?"

I cupped his face, my thumb brushing his cheek. "What do you want me to do?"

"Sit at the dining table," he instructed. "Just don’t stay too far away."

"Okay, baby. I’ll go grab my laptop and work then," I conceded.

I started to move away when he caught my attention with a soft, "Babe."

"Yes, love?"

He tilted his head and whispered, "Kiss me."

I smiled, shaking my head slightly at his cuteness. "You’re being too cute, you know." I leaned down and kissed him deeply, lingering for a moment, and added, "I love you, Zayn."

He replied, loud and clear for everyone in the room to hear: "I love you, Evric."

Dean immediately collapsed back into the sofa with an exaggerated groan. "God, I think we’ve come on the wrong day. Look at this sweet couple! Aww, so cute..." Dean then turned to Nantam and said, "I love you, Nantam!"

Nantam dramatically pushed him away. "Please, Dean, find your own Evric, because I do not love you!"

The moment was genuinely funny, and even I smirked. But Nicki remained stiff and didn’t crack a smile.

I gave Zayn one last squeeze, then left them. I walked into the bedroom, picked up my laptop and some headphones, and headed back out to settle at the dining table, positioning myself perfectly within Zayn’s view, just as he’d ordered.

I settled at the dining table, opened my laptop, and tried to look busy, but my attention kept snapping back to the couch. I could hear their muffled conversation, a low, easy rumble of four men catching up. But every few minutes, Zayn would interrupt, his voice raised just enough to ensure I heard him, usually to ask for something small a glass of water, the TV remote, or just to ask, "Babe, are you still working?"

He wasn’t actually checking on me; he was making sure his friends knew I was still there and available.

I smiled faintly, playing my part perfectly by pausing my "work" and giving him exactly what he wanted a gentle, attentive answer.

Nicki, meanwhile, was mostly silent, arms crossed, throwing side glances at Zayn who was comfortably curled up against the armrest, making no effort to move or join the rest of them. The tension around Nicki was palpable, a tight, uncomfortable energy that Dean and Nantam were doing their best to ignore.

About fifteen minutes later, Dean clapped his hands together, effectively ending the small talk. "Alright, guys, enough catching up. Zayn, we’re here now. What’s the plan? Are we watching the game? Where are the snacks?"

Zayn didn’t move an inch from my chest. He simply waved a dismissive hand toward the kitchen. "Feel at home," he told them easily. "My man can only serve me

Dean shook his head, a wry grin spreading across his face. "My man is your best song now, Zayn." He stood up, shaking his head slightly, and headed toward the kitchen to fetch whatever they needed to entertain themselves.

After Dean returned and settled back down, placing the tray of drinks and snacks he had gone to fetch on the table, Zayn said, "Alright, gentlemen," his voice carrying clearly, "I have three pieces of excellent news you should all know."

Dean leaned forward, eyes bright. "We’re all ears."

"First," Zayn began, holding up one finger, "my restaurant’s new menu officially launches next week. The critics already love the pre-reviews, so we’re celebrating early."

Nantam let out a genuinely loud cheer. "Hell yeah! That’s awesome, man! Congratulations!"

"Second," Zayn continued, holding up a second finger, "You might have suspected it, but you should hear it directly from me: Evans is Evric’s older brother."

Nantam and Dean exchanged a quick, knowing look. "I knew it!" Nantam exclaimed. "Wow, really?"

Zayn nodded, confirming it with a slight smile.

"And now, the third, the biggest and the best news ever," Zayn said, his voice ringing with triumph. "My relationship with Evric isn’t just between us anymore. His father and mother have accepted me and welcomed me as part of their family."

Nantam’s eyes widened. "You mean Evric’s father accepts you to be with Evric?"

"Yes," he confirmed, his voice thick with pride.

Dean threw his hands up in delight. "Oh, man, congratulations! Oh, God, Zayn, you are just too lucky!"

"You can say you have a wedding to plan next," Zayn added, a triumphant grin on his face. "Your friend is officially taken by Evric Draeven. There is no going back, and no other man could take him from me." He looked at me for confirmation. "Am I right, baby?"

"Yes, baby, you are absolutely right," I agreed, completely immersed in the moment.

"Babe," he called out. I stood up, closed my laptop, and walked toward him. "Let’s plan to visit your mother next weekend."

"Okay, my love," I answered immediately.

"Kiss me," he requested softly. I leaned down and kissed him.

It was the final display. Nicki, who had been simmering in silent rage, snapped. He pushed himself off the sofa, hissed under his breath, and walked out without a word, slamming the front door behind him.

Shortly after, Nantam and Dean both stood, murmuring their goodbyes. "Zayn, it’s time for us to go."

Once his friends were gone, I helped Zayn up. As we walked toward the bedroom, the way he was moving, the exaggerated limp, the theatrical wince, was so overdone that I couldn’t help but tease him.

"Babe, you know you don’t have to be quite this dramatic," I said, a playful smile touching my lips.

He looked at me in disbelief but remained silent, allowing me to continue digging my own grave.

"People manage to go for hours and not get sore," I continued, stepping into dangerous territory. "Be manly; you’re not a woman. If you’re this bruised, I’ll have to wait a week before I can touch you again." I laughed lightly. "It’s time you realize that having sex with me is your duty, and it has to be done often. So be strong, baby."

That’s where he broke. He pushed away and stood up straight beside the bed, his previous stiffness gone. "Did you just say all that to me?"

I quickly walked closer to him. "Calm down, babe," I said.

He stepped back, his chest heaving. He shouted. "You just told me to be manly and strong, and now you ask me to calm down?"

"Babe, I was just joking," I tried to assure him.

"Joking?" he yelled, his voice snapping with fury. "Don’t you ever joke with me like that again!"

I instinctively tried to hold his waist, but he violently pushed me away. "Good thing your ’horse’ just left," he sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. "You both have the same high energy and talk the same way. You can still chase him back."

"What?" I said, utterly confused.

Then he laughed a cold, humorless sound. "Your ’horse’ that you both used to ride each other with drugs just left. I’m talking about Nicki."

The playfulness vanished instantly. My shoulders slumped, and a wave of dread washed over me. "Babe, how do you—"

"Shh," he commanded, pressing a silencing hand over my mouth. "Shut up."

He leaned closer, his eyes sharp. "You’re surprised I found out Nicki is your Ex, and not only that... I also found out that he almost killed me."