Zach linked his arm through Tate’s. “Good morning, babe. Sleep well?” He pressed another kiss to the side of Tate’s head.
“How does this work exactly?” I tilted my head as I watched them. “You two are allowed to do whatever when Daddy’s not around? Does that include fucking?”
Tate’s face turned an even darker red. “It’s not...I don’t...Reed, don’t say things like that.”
“Yeah, babe, don’t be cruel.” Zach squeezed Tate closer. “Oscar isn’t our daddy. He’s our...”
“Boyfriend.” Tate finished for him. He ducked his chin, then glanced back up at Zach. “Right?” His green eyes were wide and filled with hope.
Zach nodded. “Right, darling.” And another kiss, this time on Tate’s lips.
Well, that caught my attention. My bestie never really put a label on the men he hooked up with. And that was usually what it was for him. A hook up. He didn’t usually do seconds or thirds, except for that last guy who was just more like a friend-with-benefits thing. This was more than that. I could see it in the way he looked at Tate and the way his eyes just lit up when he spoke about Oscar.
“Are you mad now?” Tate whispered.
My brows shot up. “Mad? Why would I be mad?” Was my RBF showing? “No, I’m not mad. I’m happy for all of you. It’s honestly none of my business. I just want the best for all three of you.” Thought I was a little scared that Zach would break both their hearts, but I decided to keep that to myself this time.
“It was unexpected.” Tate untangled himself from Zach to grab me into a hug. “I’ve never been happier in my life, babe.” He leaned down to speak into my ear. “I promise I’ll take good care of them.”
I met my best friend’s eyes. “That’s all that matters.”Don’t fuck this up,I mouthed to Zach. He simply raised his hand to give me the finger. Classy. “Wait, did you get your nails done?” I grabbed his wrist. “Wait, let me guess who did this. Maybe Ezra?”
He shrugged. “He offered. And who was I to say no to Ezra Bardot?”
“Carey,” I remembered him. “Bardot is only his business name.”
“This calls for breakfast!” Tate clapped his hands together. “Let me just see what Oscar and Cole have for food. I’m sure I can throw something together.”
Zach stepped in. “Or, and this is the idea I like the best because then you don’t have to do anything, what if I treat us all to breakfast? Just the three of us? I’m sure there’s some diner around here that is still serving breakfast.”
“Oh sure. The Pinehurst Diner serves breakfast twenty-four hours a day. And they have the best desserts. You should see the display case. The chocolate mousse is to die for.” Tate perked up.
My stomach twisted. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go out in public and eat food with everyone watching. I felt better than I had in a long time since I started seeing Megan, but breakfast was a whole other level. At the hockey-watching party, I was able to eat what I wanted without worrying about it. I had no excuse not to go. And I wanted to spend time with them.
“You good?” Zach asked. His brows dipped in worry as he waited for my answer.
I nodded. “Of course. Let’s go get some breakfast.”
THE DINER WASN’T TOObusy for a Wednesday morning. We found a booth, ordered drinks, and scanned the menu. I had been here plenty of times as a kid. With my parents, friends, and the night after prom with my date. That all seemed like a million years ago. Now I was worried about calories, fat, and carbs. Scared that I wouldn’t be able to fit into my clothes if I ate too much.
“You could have oatmeal.” Zach nudged my leg from under the table. He was sitting across from me and next to Tate. “It even comes with fruit. Super healthy, right?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I suppose.” But oatmeal was carb heavy, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle that.
“I like the breakfast burrito.” Tate closed his menu. “When I come here with my brothers, we always get that. We each pick a different one so we can share.”
Zach gave him a bright smile. “Darling, that sounds like a great idea. Which is your favorite? I’ll get that so you can have half.”
“I like the bacon, egg, and cheese one. I’ll get the sausage one.” Tate beamed happily at my best friend. “The cheese is so melty and tasty. You’re going to love it.”
Zach grabbed his hand as he glanced at me. “Babe, are you going to pick the oatmeal?”
“I think I’m going to get the spinach, mushroom, and feta burrito.” The description sounded amazing. “What?”
Zach shook his head. “Nothing.”
“I’ve never had that one. The one with feta.” Tate reached for his coffee. “Can I try a bite? I mean, only if it’s cool with you. I understand if you want the whole thing. I bet it’s amazing.”
While he dumped six sugar packets into his drink, I watched him. “You can try it. But only if I can try yours. And Zach’s, too.”