His smile bloomed, lighting his face as bright as the sun. "I'm glad you liked it. I wasn't sure what you'd think. But that and riding on my bike? I'm proud of you."
"So, you'd want to do this again?" Biting her lip, she waited for his response. Her earlier worries hadn't scared him off?
In a flash, he twisted his hand and linked their fingers together. "Just wait until you see what we're doing next time."
The promise, the heat in his words, and his mischievous expression were a powerful combination. He intrigued her like no one else. They were as different as could be, but somehow he understood her. Being pushed outside her comfort zone was so hard, but he didn't laugh at her fears, didn't scoff at her reactions, and didn't demand that she simply "get over it". Those things alone made him stand out. Add in the way he'd held her when they'd kissed, and the show of sweetness when he'd bought that helmet, and whoa...
Life wouldn't be dull with him around. It was time to break out of her safe little bubble and live and for once in her life, not worry over the why's and how's and simply enjoy.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SLADE
SLADE SMOOTHED HIS hands over the front of his button-down shirt and glanced at his jeans. He'd been on edge all day. The guys had noticed it at the ballpark and given him a wide berth. Except for Dom and Adam. They'd flanked him from the moment he'd set foot in the clubhouse, to their time in the dugout, to the after-game meal.
They, and Liam, were still with him now, as he made his way to the Pasadena coffee shop where he was due to meet his half-sister, Melanie.
The late hour ensured the shop wouldn't be full, but still, the guys wore ball caps advertising the city's football and hockey teams, pulled low over their faces. His moral support squad had insisted on tagging along and Slade hadn't fought them. He winced as a passing car's bright beams cast a spotlight on them. He loved meeting Riptide fans, but not when one of the biggest moments in his life was about to take place.
Dom clapped him on the shoulder. "You ready?"
"I guess." It was just coffee. Just a meeting. Only, it wasn't and he knew it. It was his first interaction with someone who shared his genes—well, half of them anyway. His heart beat uncomfortably and his muscles filled with frenetic energy. After so many years of wondering, hopefully, some of his questions would be answered.
Liam paused by the shop's door, leaning on his crutches. "It's going to be fine. She's probably just as nervous as you. But whatever happens, we're here."
He nodded, beyond grateful for his friends. "Thanks."
Adam's hand rested for a moment on his other shoulder. "We'll hang out but if you want us gone just say the word."
He pulled the door open and waved the guys through. The shop was empty, except for the barista behind the counter and the small, dark-haired woman standing by the counter. She turned and her brows rose.
"Slade?" She looked just like the picture she'd sent him.
"Yeah. Melanie?" Silly, he knew it was her. He walked closer.
"That's me."
He extended his hand, but she waved it aside and hugged him. Taken aback, he encircled his arms around her. And it hit him.
He was hugging his little sister. His gut churned with emotions he couldn't name.
She drew back, grinning and hands fluttering in animated gestures. "I can't believe you're here. Sit, please. Can I get you anything?"
"Ah..." He doubted he'd be able to stomach anything, but couldn't sit there without ordering.
Liam met his gaze. "Slade, we'll take care of the drinks. You go and sit down."
"Thanks." He gestured toward the guys. "These are my friends Dom, Adam, and Liam."
Melanie shook their hands and then led Slade to a large seating area in the back of the room with two couches, some chairs, and a coffee table.
Slade took the end of one couch. "So..."
Melanie sat at the other end. She tucked her hair behind her ear. "Maybe I should start. How much about your parents do you know?"
"Not much. Only that they were fifteen or sixteen when they had me and they gave me up right away."
Melanie nodded. "Okay. That's really not much at all. We'll start with names. Mom's name is Tiffany. Your dad's name is James. They broke up after they graduated from high school but actually reconnected seven years ago and got married five years ago."
His mouth dropped open. "Really?"
"It's a sweet story. High school sweethearts who reunited through an alumni planning committee."
"I can't believe it. When I found you, I'd hoped to be able to reconnect with one parent but I didn't expect getting to reconnect with two." He glanced over as Liam settled on the other couch and Dom and Adam set drinks down and sank into the chairs. Dom reached over and patted him on the shoulder. The guys knew how bad his home life had been growing up, but he didn’t need to dump that on Melanie.
"They really want to meet you, but James got called to the hospital for an emergency tonight and Mom didn't think it would be fair if she got to meet you before he did. They want to do it together. But I didn't want to postpone tonight. I've known that you've existed since I was sixteen. I had to meet you."
"What does James do?"
"He's a surgeon. Mom is a financial planner."
Mom. He couldn't think of Tiffany as Mom. Or James as Dad. He reached for a coffee to have something to do with his hands. "So, James isn't your dad?"
A swift shake of the head was his answer. Then Melanie set her coffee aside. "My dad was bad news. I haven't seen him since I was eight, when he and Mom divorced.
