Steven Davis shot him a look. “How am I supposed to sleep after you got me all worked up?"

Tristan lowered his head, rubbing his nose as he picked up the gift box. "Alright, I'll just go rest then."

Steven huffed, his eyebrows furrowed. "You're back, so why aren't you heading to the office?"

Tristan had just lifted his foot to leave, but those words stopped him in his tracks. He set his foot down again and shook his head. "Fine, I'll go to the office."

Steven's glare only got sharper. “Looking like that? You want everyone at work laughing at you?"

Tristan just stared at him, at a total loss for words.

"I bought some makeup,” Tristan said after a moment, trying to offer a solution. “I can go upstairs and cover up the bruises."

Steven snorted, clearly unimpressed. "You already got into a fight with Andrew Lane. Are you really worried about people noticing now?"

Tristan was completely defeated by this conversation.

Off to the side, Tanner Miller was biting his lips, trying not to laugh out loud. He dug his fingers into his thighs to keep it together, but the look on Tristan's face was almost too much.

It hit Tristan then that it didn't matter what he said or did, his grandfather was going to find something to criticize right now.

He took a breath, keeping his voice steady. "Grandpa, what do you actually want me to do?"

Steven's tone was serious. "Didn't you just say you're an adult and know what you're supposed to do? What happened to all that confidence?"

Tristan knew exactly what his grandfather wanted to hear.

He drew in a breath and said, "You're right, Grandpa. I know I messed up. I shouldn't have let my temper get the best of me and fought with Andrew Lane."

Steven just scoffed and turned his head away. "A bit late for that now, isn't it? Where was all this wisdom earlier?"

Tristan pressed his fist to his lips and coughed softly. "So... can I go upstairs now?" Steven gave him another withering look. "Go on, get out of my sight."

Relief washed over Tristan. He shot Tanner a quick look.

Tanner caught on right away. He lowered his voice and said, “Mr. Davis, Tristan and I will head upstairs now."

Steven's attitude toward Tanner was much friendlier. "Alright, I'll have someone call you down when it's time to eat."

Tanner knew Steven was really

wl not him. He smiled

and nodded "Sure thing I'll bring.

Tristan down with me."

Steven snorted again, stubborn as ever. "Why bother? He does whatever he wants anyway."

But since he didn't actually stop them, Tanner knew they were in the clear. He agreed, then turned to follow Tristan upstairs.

Tristan's room was tucked into the corner of the second floor, easily the biggest and sunniest room up there.

The second Tanner stepped inside,

he couldn't hold back anymore.

"Man, Tristan, I never thought I'd see you like this ve known you for years and never seen you look so helpless. This is killing me.

Tristan was already annoyed and didn't bother to answer. He grabbed

his foundation and concealer,

walked into the bathroom, and

makeup onto his

started dabbing

bruses in the mirror.

It didn't cover everything, but anything was better than giving his grandfather

another reason to go off on him.

Tanner wandered over from the bed and leaned against the bathroom door, watching Tristan work.

Tristan focused on the mirror, carefully patting on the makeup with a sponge.

Tanner shook his head in disbelief. “You've really fallen for Emily Blair, haven't you?"

Still concentrating on his reflection, Tristan let out a soft laugh. "So what if I have? I'm proud of it."

Tanner clicked his tongue, like he'd just witnessed something wild.