“I’d like to agree, but I don’t feel like it’s a good thing to meet you....?”
“Ace Vici.”
As Ace spoke his full name, holding a hand out for Beckett to shake, I watched as the realization came to him.
That surely would make Beckett run for the hills. If that didn’t, I wasn’t sure what would. Other than my secrets, of course.
“So you ran a background check? Is that a common thing for you to do?” Beckett dropped his hand. He ignored me completely as he stood there. That made a swirl of emotions bubble up. Ones I didn’t want to address any time soon.
“When it comes to my family, yes.” Ace never was one to beat around the bush. Going straight for answers that weren’t sugar-coated was what made him. “Some more than others.”
“I think I understand why someone said I may regret coming here today.”
“No, I said it was your own grave that was gonna be dug.” But same thing.
Ace laughed, turning to look at me with that familiar look he gave me often when I spoke my mind. Zee had the same look often, too.
“He tried to warn you. Which was smart. But don’t worry, Mr. Meads. I don’t enjoy playing with people who want to hurt my family. That’d be more my granddaughter’s thing.” With that, he gave me a nod and headed inside, ending the conversation.
“I don’t think I want to know who the granddaughter is, nor what that was code for,” Beckett thought aloud.
“No, you really don’t.” he’d learn in time if he stuck around anyway. “Why are you here anyhow?”
“Noah.”
“He got distracted.” Exactly what Ace had wanted.
“He does that easily.”
“You know, he talks a lot about you.” Beckett sat beside me, leaving plenty of room between us. “It makes me wonder if you two have more than just friendship.”
“I’ve told you. We are only friends.”
“Some of your....uh...family think the same as me. That the two of you are together. Collin seemed surprised I tagged along. Willingly.”
“Collin is like a father around here. Worries about everything.”
“Still....”
“Noah and I haven’t done more than sleep together. And I mean, sleep. In a bed.”
“He’s....really? I know you two share a bed at your place.”
“I don’t know why everyone thinks we are together.” I huffed, folding my arms over myself. I sometimes wondered what I’d be like, but what friends didn’t?
“You two are close. Although not today. Which even I found odd.” I shot him a look at his words. “Just saying.”
“My family is a lot, Beckett. He knows I can’t have him hanging all over me when we are at these things. But he also knows when I need him and he’ll be there.” What could I say to either change the subject again or push this man more towards Noah? “He’ll be happy to cling to you though.”
“I think he’s too busy being social. You don’t visit often.” Not a question. “You don’t like to.”
“Can you stop? You don’t need to pry into my life, okay.” How could a stranger see right through me? It wasn’t fair. I stood from the swing. The urge to run and never return was strong. But I ignored it.
“I wasn’t prying, Asher.” Beckett held up both hands. “I just want to get to know you. You’re Noah’s best friend.”
“Don’t bother.”
Chapter 36
