Ric's pulse gradually stopped, and a lot of the tension in his shoulders eased out. His stomach stayed unsettled, felt vaguely like the bottom had dropped out, but he was clawing it back together. "We have... and we will. Elena said she was going to tell anyone else, right now. That's a good thing."

He would deal if she did, but he couldn't handle... the criticism right now. Couldn't handle it directed at Damon, couldn't handle it directed at himself, either. This time, apparently, he was kind of a coward.