I smiled as I released his hand. “You two are cute.”
“Could we talk about something else?” Noel sighed softly. He sounded a little sad.
Shit. “I’m sorry.” I nudged his arm. “Hey, if you don’t have a date for Watts and Holt’s wedding—”
“Nope.” Noel shook his head before he met my eyes. “I’m not interested.”
My brows dipped. “You didn’t even let me finish.” I lifted my hip to pull out my phone and unlock it. “Look, this is my friend Seth.” I showed him a picture of us on my IG. “He’s really nice. A little high maintenance at times, but you already handle your brother pretty well, so it shouldn’t be a problem. He’s about CC’s height, so he’d be taller than you. Smells good.”
“He’s cute.” Maverick leaned over my shoulder. “What? I’m married, not dead,” he asked when I mock gasped.
I chuckled. “I just thought you were Jackson-sexual,” I teased.
“No, don’t get me confused with Killian, who can only see as far as Matthias.” His gaze moved down to the rink.
Matthias let out a loud laugh. “Please. You’re so Jackson-sexual it isn’t even funny. Oh, don’t look at me like that, Mav. You eat, breathe, and sleep your husband. It’s fine. I’m the same with Kill. Have been for a long time.”
“I mean, Maverick isn’t wrong. He’s cute.” Noel worried his lip between his lip. “I like his nose ring.”
“Me, too.” Maverick grinned as he touched the one in his. “Smart guy right there. You should totally marry him. Guys with septum rings are totally marriage material.”
I think Maverick was starting to open up a little. “Maybe I could give him your number? You could text, maybe talk on the phone?”
“I don’t know.” Noel dropped his gaze back to his brother, and I did the same. I didn’t want to push him but getting him to admit that Seth was cute was a step in the right direction.
“Can I have my cell back?” Holt whispered. “Please? I worry about Watson after his accident.” He smiled when Matthias sighed and handed it back to him.
We sat in silence for a few minutes as we watched the boys. Leo seemed more comfortable with skating, and eventually, Andy dropped his arms and took his hand. They stayed close like that for a little while before Andy stopped and pressed his lips to Leo’s like it was no big deal. Like his father or Leo’s brother weren’t there watching.
“Oh, fuck me. Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Maverick muttered. “My kid has a boyfriend now. How did this even happen? One second, he was this thirteen-year-old who wanted hugs and needed me to teach him how to play the drums, and now he’s on his first date. He just...” He turned to look at Noel. “Did you see that?”
Noel nodded. “Leo’s been worried how that was going to go down. Looked like it was fine to me.” He was so calm about everything.
“Andy just put it out there like I wasn’t even watching. The little shit.” Maverick burst into laughter. “I thought I had more time to prepare myself.”
I squeezed his arm. “You’re holding up much better than I thought.”
“I, uh... I just... Excuse me for a second.” Maverick stood up and rushed off. I figured he was going to call his husband. He was probably freaking out, too.
“Good.” Holt suddenly moved into the seat he vacated. “I’ve been wanting to get to know you.” His hazel eyes searched my browns. “You and Carson, huh?” What was happening?
I nodded. “Yes, we’ve been friends for a long time.” I tilted my head. “Are you checking up on me or something? I’ve known CC since we were six years old.”
“CC. I think that’s cute.” Holt wasn’t smiling, though. “Don’t hurt him, Ezra. He’s too sweet, too nice, and has a good heart.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?”
“I don’t know, do you?”
I narrowed my eyes. “What are you not saying right now, Holt? Do you not think I’m good enough for Carson? Do you not like me?”
“I haven’t decided. Why haven’t we met before? Why haven’t you come to any races?” Holt’s brows dipped. “I’m not trying to be an asshole here, Ezra. I’m just trying to make sure my friend doesn’t end up broken-hearted like at the Christmas party. You did leave, right? Broke up with him?”
My stomach dropped. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.” I suddenly needed fresh air.
“You’re the reason Noel and Carson broke up, too, right?”
Noel grunted. “That’s not why.” He leaned forward to look at him. “Holt, what are you doing? Let them have their happiness. You got yours already.”
