“I appreciate it, but what happens if he tells Saint?”
I shrugged again as I applied antiseptic cream. “Then he tells my brother, and Zion will have to learn to deal with it.”
Wade’s head jerked back. “You’re okay with Saint findin’ out?”
“Well, yes,” I told him as I wrapped his hand in a bandage. He hadn’t really needed one, but it kept us in the kitchen for a while longer.
“Thank fuck. I’m tired of hidin’ this.”
It was my turn to jerk my head back in shock. “You are?”
“Hell yes.”
“So… you’re okay if, um, people… I mean, your brothers know?”
Wade grinned. “Babe, I’ve been wantin’ to tell people for a couple of weeks. I don’t give a fuck who knows you’re mine.”
I didn’t know what he said after babe.
He’d called me babe.
An endearment for lovers and partners.
“Did I lose you?” he asked, smirking. He knew what he’d done to me, made me all melty on the inside again.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I mean, no, you didn’t lose me.”
“I wished to Christ I could kiss you right now.”
I laughed. “Then I guess Zion would find out.”
He flashed his teeth in a wide smile. “Yeah, he would. But don’t want to scare your mom because kissin’ you would usually lead into messin’ around, and a head job is outta the question right now.”
“Boo,” I teased. I patted his waist. “Your hand is all done. You can take the bandage off when you get to the compound. You didn’t really need it, but we got to stay in here longer alone.”
“What are we whispering about?” Dad asked, stopping beside us. Of course, I jumped. I hadn’t heard him approach. I was lost in Wade’s eyes and still on the word babe.
He’d called me babe. I’d never forget it. Perhaps I would mark it down on the calendar.
Wade also looked shocked when Dad appeared out of nowhere. His body tensed, his jaw clenched, and he looked a little pale.
“Nothing, Dad. We’re coming out now to finish dinner.”
We were, until Dad’s hand landed down on our shoulders. “So,” he drew out quietly, “when did this start, and why doesn’t Zion know about it?”
“What start?” I asked, panicked. I was no good under the spotlight.
They both stared at me.
Dad chuckled. “Never team up with this guy in anything. He gives too much away.”
Wade snorted. “I’m startin’ to see that, sir.”
“Pshh, not sir, just Gerry.”
Wade nodded. “All right, and to be honest with you, Gerry, we’ve been seein’ each other for a month.” Wade glanced at me, smiling when he saw my wide eyes. He was just going to lay it out there. “And I can’t see my days without Lucas in them.”
Oh my God, that was the sweetest thing ever.
“Wade,” I whispered.
Dad patted Wade’s shoulder. “I can see that, son. Every time you look at my boy, you’re all starry-eyed. The others haven’t noticed. They don’t have my brains like Lucas does, but I know them, and they won’t like being kept in the dark. Especially Zion.”
“Dad, we wanted to get to know each other before Zion found out. We’re not sure he’ll be happy with it.”
He studied me and nodded.
“But we also think it’s time he knows,” Wade added, and I nodded.
“Then, let’s do it,” Dad stated.
“Wait, what?” Wade said.
“We didn’t mean this second,” I told him.
He patted our shoulders and smiled. “No time like the present. Then at least I’m here to stop Zion killing anyone.”
“Maybe I should ring in some brothers, in case,” Wade suggested.
Dad laughed, then turned and went back to the table.
“What was that about?” Mom asked.
Before Dad could say anything, I grabbed Wade’s wrist and pulled him toward the table. “About me. All me, I, um… you see….” I lost my courage and couldn’t get the words out because Mom and Zion were staring at me.
Wade’s heat hit my back. He tugged his wrist free and placed his hands on my shoulders.
I took a deep breath. “I’m dating someone and have been for the last month,” I blurted.
Zion laughed. “Are you talkin’ about that Gregory guy? I thought you and he were kaput ages ago.”
I shook my head. “No, not him.”
Zion’s head tilted to the side, and he glanced from me to over my shoulder, back to me and then over again. His jaw clenched. Slowly, he pushed his chair back and stood.
Wade moved to step in front of me.
“You,” Zion snarled, and I heard Mom gasp, maybe even clap, but I wouldn’t look away from Wade and my brother in case I needed to kick some butt.
“Yes,” Wade answered in a rough tone.
Zion faced Wade, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dad stand back up and come around behind my brother.
“You came to my house, seduced my brother, and now you two are datin’?”
Wade nodded once. “Sounds about right.”
“You’ve never fuckin’ been with a guy, and you pick my brother to test this shit out?”
“Zion, language,” Mom tried.
“Fuck the language. Who the fuck do you think you are, Wreck? You do not get to play my brother and then crush him when you walk away after a taste.”
“Zion, calm down,” Dad suggested.
“I won’t walk away from him,” Wade stated harshly. “You can think what you want, but I know what Lucas and I have is real.”
“Real bullshit is what I call it,” Zion clipped. He took a step closer.
“Zion, don’t, we’re happy,” I inserted as I moved beside Wade. Only Wade wouldn’t have it. He reached out and gently pushed me back behind him.
Zion’s eyes narrowed more. “You think I would hurt my brother?”
“No. Never. But I know you’re thinkin’ about punchin’ me, and I won’t have Lucas hurt in the process.”
“Oh, wow,” Mom muttered. “Zion, sit down.”
“No, Mom.” He waved a hand toward us. “He’s just playin’ some sick game with Lucas. I won’t fuckin’ have it. You two are breakin’ up.”
“You’re being stupid, Zion,”
