“I’m fine.”
His features softened for a moment, before hardening to stone. “Where’s Russell?”
“In the bedroom.”
“Get him out here. Now.” Her brother looked livid.
She set her jaw. “No. Not before I say something to you.”
Josh let out a sarcastic laugh. “I’m the one with something to say, Elenore. After the way you took off like that, you’re in no position to give orders.”
Irritation sparked through her. “Sit down, Joshua.”
He arched a brow. “I’d rather stand.”
“Fine.” She drew in a long breath. “I don’t want you freaking out on Luke.”
Josh crossed his arms over his chest, staring her down. “Why shouldn’t I? I asked him to find you and bring you home, not take advantage of you.”
She rolled her eyes. “He didn’t take advantage of me.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
The fact that the question came from her older brother sent a wave of discomfort to her stomach. “That’s none of your business.”
“Which means yes.” Josh scowled. “I’m going to kick his ass for doing this to you.”
She rubbed her face in frustration. “Josh—”
“What the hell was he thinking? He was supposed to bring you home, not take you to bed. He was supposed to protect you.”
“Luke isn’t my bodyguard. He’s not responsible for my safety. Neither are you. Oh, and another thing,” she continued, enjoying being the one in charge. “I don’t appreciate you going behind my back and getting my friends to lie to me.”
Josh had the decency to look guilty. “About that… Look, kiddo, Vivian didn’t want to lie to you. I practically twisted her arm to keep my being in town a secret.”
At Josh’s words, Ellie experienced a quick tug of shame. She remembered the cold way she’d dismissed Vivian in the dressing room last night and the shame deepened. She hadn’t even given Viv the chance to explain, hadn’t been willing to hear her out. What kind of friend did that make her?
“So you decided to show your face, huh?” The sudden sneer in Josh’s voice was so startling it took her a second to realize he wasn’t talking to her, but to Luke, who’d just sauntered into the living room.
“I told you to let me handle it,” she said to Luke with annoyance.
“I didn’t hear any yelling so I was worried he might’ve killed you.”
Josh’s eyes were on fire. “Don’t even think about making jokes at a time like this.”
Luke sighed. “A time like this? Jesus, it’s not the fucking Apocalypse.”
“You slept with my sister!”
Again, Ellie had no interest in discussing her sex life with her brother, so she quickly spoke up. “Josh, quit being an ass. And Luke, don’t antagonize him.”
“I wasn’t being an ass,” Josh said defensively.
“I wasn’t antagonizing him,” Luke grumbled.
Oh brother. And these two accused her of being immature.
She raked a hand through her hair and glared at them both. “I know we’ve got a lot to talk about it, but to be honest, I really don’t feel like it right now.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Josh snapped.
“Just what it sounds like. I don’t want to talk right now.”
“Ellie,” Luke started.
“That goes for you too.” She let out a frustrated breath, suddenly wishing Vivian were here. Viv was always good at helping her collect her thoughts.
And right now, her thoughts were all over the place. What had Luke been about to say before Josh stormed in? She had her suspicions, but she wished he’d gotten a chance to tell her what was on his mind. And she really wished she could figure out what was on her mind, how she felt about everything that happened last night.
But it was impossible to soul search with these two headstrong men around.
Then again, who said she had to stick around and listen to them bicker?
“You know, I think I’ll let you two discuss this amongst yourselves.” She glanced at her brother. “I need to see Vivian. Will you give me a ride?”
“No. We’re not finished here.”
Luke voiced his agreement. “Neither are we, Ellie.”
“We’ll finish everything later,” she said breezily, taking a step toward the hallway. “Josh. The ride?”
She saw the irritation flickering in Luke’s eyes, but she didn’t let herself back down. She couldn’t do this right now, not when her emotions were all jumbled up inside her.
Josh, finally realizing that she wasn’t giving in and having this confrontation right now, muttered, “Let me get my keys,” and then followed her to the front door.