I pulled my phone from my pocket, snapped a picture, then posted it on my Instagram. I didn’t use it often but today felt like a good day. I tagged the coffee shop, Tate, and posted it before I looked back at him.
“I’m not Ace.” He ducked his head. “I just...I don’t think Maverick would like it if I dated.”
Interesting. “Is there someone you’d like to date?”
Because Mav had no say in that. He was protective of his family, but when he welcomed someone in, he loved them with all his heart and would protect them fiercely.
“I mean, it couldn’t happen if I wanted it to. We only met like once, and he’s—”
“He?” I slapped a hand over my mouth. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have interrupted. And I’m not judging you for liking anyone, I promise.”
Tate opened his mouth, but the door opened and customers came in. His scrunched expression cleared, and he smiled. He hopped up and darted behind the counter, busying himself with their orders and coffee, talking happily as he took their payment. But I wanted to know who this mystery man was. Was it someone I knew? Was it someone Maverick didn’t like? Wait. What if it was someone on Jackson’s team? Now I was even more curious and had so many unanswered questions.
“Sorry about that.” Tate came back to sit down. “I won’t tell you who it is.” He pushed my plate toward me. “Finish your food.”
I laughed at how much he sounded like Maverick. I picked up my croissant and finished it off in two more bites. “Can you giveme a hint?” I wiped my hands and mouth with the napkin he had provided.
“Mm... Nope.” Tate shook his head. “But he’s really sweet. Kind. Funny. Tall.”
“And Maverick doesn’t like him?” I needed him to tell me everything, starting with why Mav wouldn’t like him.
Tate rolled his eyes. “I never said that. My brother just thinks I shouldn’t worry about dating. Maverick likes him just fine. Dean, too.” His eyes went wide when he realized he had revealed more than he had intended. They knew him.
“I won’t ask anything else.” But that meant they both knew who he was. “And I promise not to ask them, either,” I assured him. “But you can talk to me if you ever feel like you need to. And I won’t judge you.”
Tate reached over to squeeze my hand. “Can I ask about that hickey now? Does that mean you and Reed are dating? Because I think you make a really cute couple. When you came in together the other day, I wanted to ask, but I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
“We’re going out tonight.” I wasn’t sure what Reed and I were doing. “I like him a lot,” I added.
Tate grinned. “He’s pretty cute.” His ears burned. “I mean, I don’t like Reed like that or anything. I’m not crushing on your boyfriend. Jesus, I should probably just stop talking now.” He shook his head and stood up.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I assured him. “I used to have a crush on Dean.” And that was super weird to admit because of who he was now.
Tate’s eyes nearly popped from his head. “My brother and your stepfather?”
“To be fair, I didn’t know he was dating my dad at the time. And he wasn’t my stepdad then.” I picked up on that he wasinto my father quick, though, and pushed those feelings away. “I think I crushed on the entire band at one point.”
Tate nodded. “Killian is pretty cute.”
“It’s the dimples.”
“Right? I think that’s what did me in the first time, too.”
We both laughed just as another customer came in, and Tate went over to serve them. He was smiling as he talked softly with them, pulling baked goods from the case while he filled their order. I wondered if Ezra had designed the apron he wore. It was cute as hell with the little coffee bean design. My phone buzzed on the table, and when I saw a text from my dad, I quickly unlocked it.
Dad:Are you awake? Can we call you?
Attached was a photo of the two of them with sunburned faces on the beach and flowered leis around their necks. They looked so happy. I missed them, but I was glad they had this time together. That they had one another.
I quickly texted back to call me. I motioned to Tate that I was stepping outside to take a call just as the video call came in. I couldn’t answer it fast enough.
Chapter Ten
Reed
My mother acted like it was no big deal that I was late. That I hadn’t just rushed into the house, all rumpled from sleep, took the fastest shower of my life before I changed into my clean clothes, and met her in the kitchen. She didn’t ask any questions. She didn’t say a word about where I was or where I had been. Until she had opened the door to the studio, flipped on the lights, and shut the door behind her.
“Were you with Cole?” She tilted her head; her dark hair piled up into its usual tight bun.