Freddie falls asleep moments later, staying that way the entire ride to Bates’s house, only perking up when we pull into the garage. Two cars are parked on the street. His friends are already here.
I’m excited to see them again. Although there is a part of me that’s embarrassed, given our last encounter, when they were chasing me through the arena.
But I’m greeted with nothing but smiles when we walk inside, Freddie trotting at our feet.
“Mom and Dad are finally home.” Casper, who Irecognize from our brief interactions at Sinners events, hops up from the sofa.
Kol groans, walking around the corner of the kitchen with a spoonful of chicken fried rice. “Finally. I’ve been starving to death.”
“Seems like you’re doing just fine.” I reference the stolen bite in his hand.
He cocks his head to the side, his piercing light-blue eyes squinting, studying, plotting. The wheels behind them turn, and his lips part, shaping a word.
“Whatever you’re about to say, keep it to yourself,” Bates threatens him, walking up behind me and pulling me against him, his hand wrapped around my side. “Behave, boys.”
Kol clicks his tongue before tucking it in his cheek, a playful smirk forming on his lips. “Fine. This time. But if she starts shit with me, I’m fighting back. I’m not just going to lie down and take it, like you do.”
Bates flips him off. “Why don’t you make yourself useful, huh?”
Now it’s Kol who flips Bates off before disappearing back in the kitchen, emerging a minute later with two bags of P.F. Chang’s.
He carries it across the foyer into the dining room, setting everything out as Casper walks over to us with a smile.
“I would say he’s not always such an ass, but he is, unfortunately.” Casper laughs. “Good seeing you again, Serena.”
Heat spreads across my cheeks as an image forms inmy mind—him standing at the top of the stairs, a knife in his hand.
“It’s good to see you too.” I smile, wondering if anything about these three is normal, but they’re friends with Bates, so I already have my answer.
We follow Casper over to Kol, and we each grab plates and load up as much food as we can handle.
The boys spend the first half an hour bickering over the idea of attending or running a haunted house this fall. I tell them if they need an event planner, I’m here to help.
Casper is thankful, but Kol has that quiet, scary look in his eye that tells me he hates Casper’s idea and to not encourage him. But that only makes me want to offer my help even more.
When the conversation around the haunted house dies out, getting nowhere closer to a mutual understanding, Casper turns to me, changing the subject. “You run a matchmaking company. How’s that going?”
“Really good actually. If you ever need help in that department, we’d love to pair you up with some matches,” I offer genuinely.
“You are just full of help tonight, aren’t you?” Kol asks, clearly put off by the matchmaking idea.
“Better than being full of hot air and self-righteousness,” I snap back, cocking my head to the side.
I expect him to hit back, throw another snide remark my way, but instead, slowly, a smile stretches across his face. “You’re all right, Rafferty.”
“I know. But thanks for your unprompted approval,” I chirp back with a grin.
For some reason—maybe it’s some weird hockeyplayer respect thing—he doesn’t press me again for the rest of the night.
I tell them all, who listen rather intently, about the Saint Patrick’s Day party we’re planning. They fill me in on a rival game coming up, insisting I have to be there since, apparently, Bates hasn’t played better since I entered his life. I will be taking credit for all of his hockey achievements here on out—and rightfully so.
And by the time the two guys are heading out for the night, I feel like my family has grown even larger. I’m well aware that these three are a package deal, and I’m happy to have them in my life, even if all of them are downright crazy.
Bates and I stand in the doorway, Freddie in my arms, and we wave at them as they drive off in the dark, cold night.
He kisses the top of my head after closing the door behind us. “Now what?”
His phone rings, cutting off any thought in my mind. He groans, digging it out of his pocket. “It’s my mom. Want to meet the rest of the family tonight?”
