The Weigh Down - 7. Chapter 6

(Gavin’s POV)

I don’t know who’s more nervous at this moment, Xander or me. My dad just took Josh into his home office to talk about working for him. Xander is sitting at the counter fidgeting, waiting on Darren to arrive for the photo shoot.

“You doing ok?” I ask, sitting next to him.

“Joe said he would be here. Where is he?” Xander asks, looking around.

I get an alert on my phone that someone is at the gate. I click on the app and see Joe’s head popped out of his window. “Dude, let me in. I couldn’t find this fortress!”

“See he’s here.” I tell Xander showing him my phone.

“About time.” He snaps.

“You sure you can go through with this?” I ask.

He looks at me and leans into me. “I don’t know, maybe. I want to say yes, but I’m scared.”

“Xan, you got this…you’re strong, but if you feel like you can’t handle it, or you feel like you’re going to have an anxiety attack, tell one of us and we’ll stop the shoot.”

“Uh, hello?” I hear as the door opens.

“Joseph, we’re in the kitchen.” I yell.

Darren walks in with Joe. “This guy pulled in behind me.” Joe says cocking his thumb to Darren.

“Hey Gav, long time no see man.” Darren says, putting his massive camera bag down and grabbing me into a hug.

I met Darren when I was first getting into the modeling stuff. He was an amateur photographer, and we would do shoots for fun. He dropped out of school to pursue his career, and he has done some amazing things. The only reason I feel comfortable with Darren doing a shoot for Xander is that I’ve known him for forever, and the fact I know he has depression and anxiety as well. When Xander mentioned his stuff, I knew it would be perfect.

“You're late.” Xander scowls at Joe.

“Dude I got lost, but I’m here now and so are you.” He says smiling.

Xander’s anger melts and he rolls his eyes and gets out of his seat. “Hey…I’m Xander…” He says to Darren, and stands next to me. More like he’s leaning into me.

“Hey, Xander. I’m Darren, I remember you when you were a super little dude. How are you feeling about today?”

Xander gives me a look and I push him forward. He shrugs. “Nervous.”

Darren nods his head. “Me too. I get anxious before every photoshoot. I have anxiety as well man, and it sucks.”

“Wait, really?” Xander asks.

“Yeah man. You never know what a client is going to be like. I have had people who trigger my anxiety so bad that I stop the shoot. Then I have some that are just fantastic, and they are amazing friends. So, I woke up at 3 am this morning, and I had this idea for our shoot. Gavin told me you handpicked me, and I feel honored about that, but have you ever dressed up for Halloween, or like someone you’re not?”

“Yeah.” Xander says hesitantly.

“Cool, well if you’re like me, you dress up every day so people don’t see the real you or you can easily hide behind things. For this shoot, we’re going to get dirty. Gavin and this guy are gonna help. We can do some in a white shirt and shirtless if you want. You’re going to be covered in makeup that looks like dirt, and your hair will be greasy. I may put eyeliner on if you want, but we’re going to have fun.” He says excitedly.

Xander laughs. “That sounds cool, let’s do it.”

“Awesome! do you have a white shirt and blue jeans, preferably ones that are ripped?” Darren asks.

Xander nods and leaves to go put them on. I ask Darren if I can help him with anything. He asks about a room where no one will disturb things, and I say we can do it in the upstairs game room where the walls are white and there’s also a pool table. He tells me that it sounds like the best place. I text Xander to let him know we will be up there.

I take Darren up to the room and he smiles. “This is going to be awesome. Hey, do you think you and your friend can get the other bags from my car? I want to start setting up.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” I tell him, beckoning Joe to follow me.

“I thought Josh would be here, do you know where he is?” Joe asks as we walk outside.

“Uh, yeah he’s with my dad. They’re talking.”

He nods. “Is it about how you two were cuddled up the other night?”

I give him a questioning look. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He rolls his eyes and pulls out his phone. “Before you think I was going to tell, which I have no intention of doing, I wanted to send this to you or Josh. I thought you two looked cute.”

I grab his phone, and it’s a picture of the two of us when we fell asleep in my bed in Hawaii. “Can you send this to me?” I ask looking up with a huge grin on my face.

“You really like him, huh? Yeah just text it to yourself...”

I nod. “You have no idea how much I really like him. I just feel like it’s not going to work because he has this wall around him that he isn’t willing to let anyone in.”

I hand Joe back his phone. “Just don’t give up on him. Joshua is one of the strongest but most complicated people I know.”

I nod my head and grab another bag from Darren’s car, and Joe grabs another and closes the trunk.

We make our way back up to where Darren and Xander are already laughing and shooting. Xander is sitting in the middle of the pool table barefoot and shirtless. The pool balls are placed around him. “I thought you two got lost!” Darren says, smiling as he takes another photo.

“Nah, you just have too much crap.” I say smiling.

“Come on, let’s get you dirty and do some more shots on the pool table. Put a shirt on first. We’ll get some with that on. Can it get dirty?” Darren asks.

“Yeah.” Xander says putting on his shirt.

“Awesome, it’s Joe, right? Wanna help get him dirty? Is that cool Xander?”

Xander nods. “Yeah, I’m good with that.”

I almost speak up, but then I see Josh come up the stairs and I can’t help but walk over to him. “Hey, how’d it go?”

“How is this going?” He asks, nodding to Xander.

I look over and Xander is laughing as both Darren and Joe put this almost dirt substance all over his face like black powder. Joe starts putting hair product in Xander’s hair at the instruction of Darren. “Going good, I’d say. Well?”

“I’m gonna start on Monday as a front desk person. Apparently, they had to let Mindy go this past week.” He says.

“What about a place to stay. Are you going to tell Joe?” I ask.

He lets out a breath. “Can we talk about this later? I want to talk to Joe separately. I don’t want him to hear right now. I mean look how happy Xander is. But to satisfy you, I will be moving into one of the condo apartments, and Joe as well if he wants.”

 

 

(Josh’s POV)

I can feel Gavin’s body heat as he stands next to me. I don’t think he has any idea what he does to me. The talk with Clint was great. He apologized to me so much and told me he would make sure I had great pay, and he told me about the “condo” I was going to be staying at that I didn’t need to pay rent at. I didn’t like that idea too much, also there was the possibility that I’d need to be moved to the top floor depending on if Gavin and I get serious. Clint doesn’t want me being harassed.

I watch as Xander pulls his face down, making his eyes look funny, and Darren take a few photos. He looks grungy and dirty, but I think that look is what he’s going for. Darren tells Xander to look at the floor. I can see the top of Xander’s head and his dirty white t-shirt that Darren rolled the sleeves up. Gavin and I move closer as Xander takes his shirt off and Joe applies more of the black powder on his torso. Xander was fit for his age.

“Cool, now let’s get back to the pool table.” Darren instructs.

We watch as Xander sits on the pool table and Darren gets close-ups, and he slips off his shoes hopping on the pool table and tell Xander to look up and gets a photo from that angle and then gets eye level with Xander. “He’s good.” I say to Gavin.

“I love Darren. He’s awesome.” Gavin says watching intently.

“He’s good with Xan. I hear him keep asking if he’s okay, comfortable, if he needs a break, plus he’s making him laugh as well.”

“That’s why I was relieved when he asked for Darren.” Gavin tells me moving closer to me.

“So I heard from Gav you plan on doing your first interview for a website or magazine or something.” Darren asks.

Xander nods. “Yeah, figured it was time.”

“Cool, for this shot I want you to clasp your hands behind your neck and look up like you’re tired, or annoyed. Yeah like that! So, I know a friend of mine, she’s a girl and she works for CelebBuzz. If you haven’t decided, I could hit her up for you?” He says.

“They’ve been asking for a long time. Is she nice?” He asks.

“Yeah man, I don’t deal with assholes.” He says smiling and catching Xander as he cracks up. “So, I need to ask ‘cause they are going to want to ask about why you hide from the public eye. Are you going to say anything about the anxiety?”

Xander gets a serious look on his face and Gavin moves towards him, but I grab his hand. “Just hang on. Look, he’s getting really good shots of Xander being serious and not forced serious.”

“I mean…I don’t know.” Xander says.

“Want my advice when dealing with this stuff since I suffer from it?”

“Sure.” Xander says putting his hand on his cheek which Darren takes another shot of.

“You should own it. Speak up about it, and not let it control you. Maybe more people will talk about it.”

“You think?”

“Dude you have a platform, but you don’t know it yet. Use it to bring light to it. Now I have a crazy idea, but only if you are comfortable with it.”

“Okay?”

“Joe here is going to hold this ring right in front of you but a little bit away. I have some Visine. I want to make it look like you’re crying, make it look like you’re vulnerable. It’ll leave tear streaks making it look fantastic.”

“Sounds awesome. Maybe your friend can use it.” He says.

Darren smiles, and I watch them as they get the shot done. “Alright man. I got what we need. I’ll send them to your email. What’s your Instagram?” He asks.

Xander gets a scared look on his face. “I don’t have one.”

“What?” We all say except Gavin.

“He never wanted one, I can make him one. What do you want the name to be Xan?”

“Xander King.” Joe spits out grinning.

“I like that!” Xander says smiling.

I laugh. Of course, Joe would encourage him. “Hey, I’m going to steal Joe for a bit okay?”

“Yeah, um, can we have dinner tonight?”

“Just us?” I ask Gavin.

“Yeah.” He says blushing.

“It’s a date.” I say winking and he gets even more red in the face.

I walk over to Joe. “Hey, can we talk?”

Concern falls on his face. “Everything okay?”

I nod. “Yeah, I just want to talk to you about some stuff. Can we go out on the balcony?”

“Yeah, but I gotta help Xander.” He says looking over and seeing Gavin is already helping.

He follows me out the door onto the balcony. It’s cool out. I lean against the rails looking at the ground below. “Xander has really gotten attached to you.” I say trying to make small talk.

Joe stands beside me, his shoulder pressing into mine. “I don’t think you brought me out here to talk about Xander and look to at the ground, did you?”

“Damn Joseph, can I not enjoy nature?” I say smiling.

He laughs and bumps me. “You aren’t the stop and smell the roses kinda guy.”

I shrug. “You’re right, I’m not. Taylor fired me while I was in Hawaii.”

Joe snaps his attention to me. “He fired you? Why? What happened?”

I let out a sigh. “A reporter or paparazzi showed up at his house asking about me. He had to close the house for a few days to protect the other models’ identities. He didn’t want to jeopardize their identities. No, before you ask they don’t know about you. Clint offered me a job at the security office, and a place to move into here in Denver.”

“Did you accept his offer?” Joe asks with an unreadable expression.

I nod. “Yeah, I had to man. I wanted to ask if you would think about transferring schools since it’s almost the end of the semester, and move with me. Then Aunt Lydia could have her sister living there, and we wouldn’t have to be split up.”

Shock registers on his face. “You want me to move here with you? Are you sure?”

“Yes, Joseph. I’d feel better if you were here with me, and I am sure I could see if Clint would have a position for you. Plus, Xander would love it if you were closer.”

“Yes.” He says.

“Yes?”

“Fuck yeah, I’ll move here with you.” He says smiling.

“Really?”

He puts his arm over me. “Yes Joshua, don’t sound so surprised. Geez! You should have known I’d say yes. Plus I want to talk to Clint about getting into being a bodyguard.” He says smirking.

“You want to be a bodyguard?”

He nods. “Yeah, besides Xander has a lot of plans and Oli is cool, but Xander is going to need someone he trusts and can confide in.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why are you so attached to him?”

He doesn’t look me in the eye. “It’s for a selfish reason. I lost being close to you at that age and bonding and I feel like I have a second chance with Xander. I mean don’t get me wrong. I am beyond excited that you and I are getting close again. It’s just I feel like Xander needs someone he can depend on and I wasn’t there for you so maybe I can make it up to someone else.”

“I get that. I really do, but he has Gavin as well.” I tell him.

“True, he does. Gavin also has a career, and Xander knows he’d drop everything to be with him if Xander called him. It’s also nice to have someone else outside of the family to lean on. Like you did with Taylor.”

“I can understand that. Has he mentioned Gavin much?”

“Gavin is a hero to him. He wants to do what Gavin does, but he’s scared to be open and vulnerable. Enough about that though, so when would we move?”

“I’m going to be crashing here until the condo is ready, and I guess whenever you want when school is out. If you are good with that.”

“Sounds like a plan. So where is Clint. Lets go talk to him PLEASE!” Joe says smiling.

I take Joe to Clint’s home office and let him go in by himself. As I turn around I see Gavin leaning against the wall. “What’s that about?”

“Joe wanted to talk to your dad. He wants to be a bodyguard. He wants to learn what he needs to do. Specifically, he wants to be Xander’s.”

“But Oli is Xander’s bodyguard.”

“I know, but he thinks it would be better for him to be.” I explain.

Gavin lets out a sigh. “I don’t think it will be happening.”

“Why are you acting so jealous?” I finally snap at him.

I see his jaw flex, and he pulls me down the hall and into a room. He shuts the door and pushes me up against it and kisses me hard. I put a hand on his chest and he breaks this kiss and I see a look of fear flash across his face. “I’m sorry.”

“What the fuck was that?” I ask looking at him.

He runs his hands through his hair. “I don’t know, okay. Yes, I am jealous of Joe, because Xander loves him more than me and I’m his big brother.”

I wasn’t talking about Xander and Joe, but I didn’t want to push him as to why he kissed me like that. “Xander loves you. I asked Joe about it. He told me that you’re like a hero to Xan. They just have a connection because Joe just listens to him. It’s different when it’s not a family member. It doesn’t mean he loves you any less.”

“I just don’t want him to get hurt.” He says.

I look around the room and realize it’s Gavin’s with it’s calming deep blue walls, and a massive bed that he’s currently sitting on. He also has one of those huge bean bags that two people can sit on. I look across the room and see he has a walk-in closet. “Look, Joe won’t let Xan get hurt. Xan is getting older and wants to explore the world man. By the way, this is your room, right?”

He cocks his head. “Yeah this is my room.”

I walk over to a black shelf that holds a record player and in the shelves are a ton of records. To the left of that, he has a massive bookcase. “You have a ton of good books.” I say sitting down on the bean bag looking over at him.

He gets off the bed and flops down on the bean bag with me, falling into me. “Yeah, it’s pretty decent.”

I like feeling him up against me. “Are we going to talk about Hawaii?” I ask.

“I guess we need to huh?”

“We don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“I don’t know what to say…” He trails off.

I move around to look at him “We kind of had a massive make-out session that led to you cumming your shorts.”

“Oh, that.” Gavin says turning bright red in the face.

“That and all the kissing. I just want us to be on the same page.” I say.

He puts his hands over his face. “I feel like I should apologize.”

I grab his hands forcing them down and making him look up at me. “Why would you?”

“I pretty much assaulted you in Hawaii, and I apologize for that.” Gavin says averting his gaze.

I shake my head. “No, you have nothing to be sorry for. If you think that was assault, then you have no idea what the real thing is. I want to know what you want, Gavin.”

His cheeks grow even pinker. “I want to get to know you more.”

I can’t help but smile, and I lean over and give him a peck on the cheek. I grab his hand and squeeze it. “I’d like that as well.”

He smiles. “You really want that even with the craziness that is my life?”

I nod. “Why not.”

He leans in and is kissing me lightly when we hear someone at the door clear their throat.

 

(Gavin’s POV)

I jump up off the bean bag. “Uh, hey Natalie.” I say, and I can feel the heat creep up my cheeks.

She smirks. “Hey sweetheart. I thought I’d come to tell you that Lyla is here. Good to see you, Joshua.”

“Lyla is here already? I thought she wasn’t coming until next month?”

She shakes her head. “We did too, but apparently the situation with her father has gotten worse.”

“Uh, who is Lyla?” Josh asks.

I give him the are you serious look. Natalie laughs. “My daughter, Gavin’s soon to be step-sister.”

Josh looks down at his feet. “I thought you only had Xander.”

She laughs. “No sweetheart. I had Lyla from my first marriage. She wanted to live with her father out of the celebrity world, for which I don’t blame her, but things sadly fell through with her father.”

“Oh…Sorry, I just never paid much attention to celebrity stuff.” He admits still not making eye contact.

“You sure did pay attention to Gavin’s celebrity status.” She says grinning.

Josh stutters to answer, as he’s red in the face. I try not to grin at him as he shoots me a go to hell look. “I am just joking sweetheart. I just like to see you blush. I’ll leave you alone, but I do have a question. Is your brother running around the house? I swear I saw you downstairs earlier with Xander.”

Josh nods. “Yeah Joe is around somewhere. I think he was with Clint last time I saw him.”

“Come on, let’s go introduce you to Lyla.” I tell Josh pulling him off the beanbag.

“I need to use the restroom first.” He says motioning to my bathroom.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you.” I tell him.

I watch as he closes the door to the bathroom. I turn back to Natalie and she’s grinning. “What?” I ask, grinning.

“So, what was that when I walked in?”

I blush. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Does he know how much you like him?” She asks.

I shrug. “No, we haven’t really talked about it much. Stuff happened in Hawaii and I kind of lost my head and freaked out and he was cool and understanding.“

She walks over and pulls me into a hug. “Just be safe.”

“NO! We aren’t even talking about sex yet. Besides, I’m not ready for that. He’s sweet and considerate. I just feel bad that if we do pursue a relationship, he’s going to be pulled into the spotlight.”

She nods. “Baby, if he likes you that won’t stop him.”

I nod, and the bathroom door opens. I see Josh fixed his hair and he gives me a shy smile. “Ready to meet the other family member?”

He nods and we follow Natalie out into the game room where Lyla is already joking around with Xander, and I see Joe has a massive smile on and is acting as if he’s bashful. Iit hits me that he’s flirting with her. “Hey, Lyla!” I say walking over to the petite blonde with blue eyes. She looks just like Natalie, which is good ‘cause she’s really pretty.

“Hey, Gav!” She says wrapping me up in a massive hug.

I hug her back. “This is Josh.” I say breaking the hug.

She looks at Josh weirdly and over to Joe. “Holy shit you two are twins?”

Josh nods. “Yeah.”

“Gavin, did you finally find a boyfriend?” She asks.

I grow red in the face. I love Lyla, but the only downside to her is she’s so damn blunt about everything. “No, we’re just friends.” I tell her.

I look back at Josh who looks away from me and starts talking to Joe. “So, what is the plan?” I ask.

She shrugs and smiles. “Maybe I will be an Instagram model or tik toker person.” Lyla starts laughing as soon as the words come out.

I laugh. “Well you could totally be an IG model if you wanted.”

She pats me on the shoulder. “I may just leave you to be the model in the family. I’m going to go unpack. It was nice meeting you boys.” She says, winking at Joe.

Joe turns to Josh. “Dude I love it here.”

Josh rolls his eyes. “How’d the talk with Clint go?”

He smiles. “I just need to transfer, but I don’t want to go into detail. I gotta get back. I have to work tonight and need to put in my notice. Are you coming or no?”

Josh looks over at me. “You’re welcome to stay the night plus don’t we have dinner to go to?” I say smiling.

Joe wags his eyebrows. “Well then, Romeo, call me later.”

Josh rolls his eyes and laughs. “I don’t have any extra clothes.” He tells me.

“That’s fine, I’m sure I have stuff that will fit your skinny frame. You can go pick out whatever you want in my closet. I need to call the security house and let Jane know that we’re getting ready and I’ll be up there.” I tell him.

“Yeah, I don’t want to be mobbed tonight.” He says smirking at me.

I dial the security house and Niko picks up. “Yeah?”

“Hey, can you let Jane know that I’m getting ready to head out tonight?”

I can hear his beard scratching against the speaker on the phone. “Cub, she’s been assigned for a different job tonight. I’ve assigned myself to your detail until she comes back.”

“You can’t be a dick to Josh.” I state plainly.

“I’m not going to. He’s going to have detail as well.”

I look at my phone and put it back to my ear. “What do you mean?”

He chuckles. “Don’t know kid. Came from the boss man a few days ago. I went out and hired a new bodyguard. His name is Asher. Before you ask, no he doesn’t care if the kid is gay or whatever, and yes, he’s younger than me and learning the ropes, so Josh will need to stay with you and me for a while.”

I let out a sigh. “You know more than you’re letting on.”

“I always know more than you.” He says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

“How bad is it for Josh?” I ask concern filling my voice. I look over my shoulder and thankfully Josh is talking to Xander.

Niko lets out a sigh. “Both of the boys’ identities have been published, and what school they attend. That is really it - other than that it’s just chatter on how they look, and what they are going to be doing. Nothing threat level, but enough to warrant a tail.” He says.

“Are you sure nothing else? I mean must have been something for my dad to want Josh to have a guard.”

I hear Niko sigh. “He’s being cautious right now especially since you and Josh have something private going on.”

“No, we don’t.” I snap.

I can hear the smile in his voice. “The way you responded tells me everything kiddo.”

“We’re friends. Why am I even explaining this to you!” I say getting annoyed.

“Look, I don’t care. I just want what is best for you, Gavin, as does everyone.”

“Is Jane tailing Joe?” I ask trying to change the subject.

“Affirmative. Now get ready. Me and the scout are headed up to the main house.”

I hang up and head back to my room. I walk in and Josh has picked out a pair of black skinny jeans and a long green shirt. I stand in the doorway looking at him with my jaw dropped. “Is this okay, or do I look dumb?” He asks bashfully.

I snap out of my daze. “No, you look…wow. Um..perfect.” I finally sputter out. I fight every urge in my body to not go and touch him all over. “We should, um, get downstairs. Niko is with us tonight and a new guy. Did my dad say anything to you?”

He looks at me confused. “As in?”

“Having a detail, well bodyguard.”

He nods. “Yeah, I didn’t tell Joe that we have been identified or whatever, but he told me that someone would be following Joe and I would have someone on me for a while until the news or whatever blows over.”

This prompts me to ask him. “What if it doesn’t blow over?”

He shrugs his shoulder. “Haven’t really thought about it to be honest. I guess just roll with the punches and figure it all out as we go.”

I smile. At least I know he isn’t going to wig out on me. I walk by him and I just want to reach out and touch him, but I contain myself. I walk to my dresser and pick out a black shirt. I don’t have to post anything today, so I don’t worry about it being a name brand or anything.

I can feel Josh’s eyes on me as I slip my shirt off before I can put the black one on. I feel his lips press against the back of my neck. I lean into him and he keeps kissing along my neck. We stay like this for a few seconds before I finally turn around and Josh kisses me on the lips. I pull back and he blushes. “I’m sorry.” He says backing away from me and running his hands through his hair which I have learned is a sign that he’s frustrated.

“Josh, it’s fine. I pulled back because we need to get going. Look we don’t have to put a label on what we are right now, ok? We can just explore this and talk about this at a later date.”

“Oh…I thought I was pressuring you into something you weren’t comfortable with.” He says.

“No, besides I wanted to touch you so bad.” I say and laugh at myself. “Let’s go, I’m sure Niko is here.”

We walk out of my room, and down to the main living room. Niko is there looking fierce as ever, and right beside him is an actually handsome guy with short brown hair who has to be the new guy. I notice that his left arm has a sleeve of tattoos and both of his ears are pierced. He takes off his sunglasses once Josh and I are both in the room. I’m taken aback with how blue his eyes are - they are the light blue that makes you think they are contacts, but I know this isn’t the case. His smile is stunning. He’s wearing a tight black shirt and black pants. Wow, he’s gorgeous, to be honest. I blush when he reaches his hand out because I know I’ve been staring too long. “I’m Asher.”

“I’m…Gavin.” I finally manage to say.

“I assumed that.” He says, giving me a cocky smile. He turns the attention away from me. “You must be Josh, my client.” That’s when I notice his accent. It’s sexy.

Josh takes his hand. “No, I’m Joe.” He says straight-faced and Asher’s face contorts and he looks at Niko.

“Fuck, where’s Josh?” Asher says looking at Niko, who’s smirking.

Josh laughs. “I’m joking, but I do have an identical twin.”

“I told you that we had a set of identical twins on our hands.” Niko says.

“I mean how identical can you be?” Asher asks looking to Josh.

“Joe and I are identical in every way and size. We also have the same birthmark on our left ass cheek. Just in case you were wondering.” Josh says.

I can’t help but laugh, ‘cause I know from watching his shows that he indeed does have a birthmark on his left butt cheek. Asher just looks at him, that cocky confidence slipped. “I…okay.” He says.

“Alright, that’s enough clowning for now. Let’s get going. Where are we going?” Niko asks.

I look to Josh who shrugs. “I don’t know anything here.”

“Let’s go get Chinese.”

Josh doesn’t have a smile on his face anymore. He just looks down at his phone with a dark look. I can feel his mood shift and I have no idea why. I walk over to him. “Do you like Chinese?”

He nods. “That’s fine.”

“Are you okay?”

He just nods and follows Niko and Asher out the door.