I tipped my face up. “It’s not a secret.”
His brows shot into his forehead. “Wait? What?”
“Cruz likes girls, but he’s been with guys.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Are you asking if I’m okay he’s bi? Then yes.” I sighed. “This is going to make me sound like a hypocrite considering what happened between us last night.” I guess I was because I didn’t want Ryatt or Cruz to sleep with anyone but me. “Cruz doesn’t have to care about someone to have sex with them. He’s never considered sleeping with someone else cheating. I do. I wanted sexto be as important to him as it is to me. I don’t think it ever was.”
I hated that Ryatt would get the wrong idea about Cruz. Cruz put importance on emotions, not the physical act of getting his dick wet. Iwasa hypocrite, because I’d hate for him to be emotionally connected to another woman. And here I was getting emotionally invested with Ryatt.
Emotionally, Cruz was connected to the Hellers. They came before me, but it didn’t feel like cheating. It should, because for Cruz, he was loyal to them in ways he’d never been loyal to me.
“Being with you means something to me, too.” Ryatt pulled me from my thoughts as he tunneled his fingers into my tangled hair, bent down, and kissed me softly. The pressure of his lips opened my mouth, and I felt the delicious possession all the way to my bare tiptoes.
Squeals sounded from the house and the screen door banged. Cece ran across the yard, straight to Cruz’s Harley, and dragged her hand along the seat. “Where is he?”
“In the garage.” I stepped out of the way, and Cece threw open the door. “She likes Cruz.”
Her squeal sounded from inside the garage.
“Fantastic. More competition.”
I smiled at Ryatt. “She’s like me. She’ll find out she has a thing for nice guys, too.”
We followed the chatter up to the loft. Cruz’s cut draped over the arm of the couch. Cece ran her fingers over the Heller patch. “Did you get the tattoo yet?”
“Not yet.”
“It’s going to hurt.”
“That’s why I’m waiting for your sister to come with me. I’ll need to hold her hand.”
Cece giggled.
Ryatt followed me up the stairs.
Cece’s lips twisted into a half smile. “Mom made pancakes. She already set a plate for Ryatt. Dad wants to know if Cruz is staying.” She turned her adoring gaze to Cruz. “You can sit next to me.”
He smiled at my sister, but his focus was on me. “Give me two minutes to talk to your sister and Rizz.”
“It’s Ryatt,” he said.
“Not the way it looked from the window. You were giving big rizz vibes.”
Ryatt shook his head. “You’ve got issues.”
“I told him you kissed McKelle.” Cece tattled on Ryatt and smiled at Cruz. “Can I sit on your Harley?”
“Yeah, just don’t take her for a ride.”
“Ha ha.” She started for the stairs. “Can I wear your vest?”
“As long as you never tell a soul. McKelle and Rizz have to swear a vow of secrecy. The patch is sacred.”
“I swear,” I said and raised my right hand. Ryatt did the same. Cece stuffed her arms through the holes. The vest hung to her knees. She took off down the stairs.
Cruz rushed to the window to watch her. “Your sister rocks.”
