Tristan’s breath hitched in surprise, as if he were reading into Jesse’s question things he didn’t mean. But before Jesse could think of a way to withdraw the question, Tristan answered.
“It’s home,” he said simply, warmth and sincerity ringing through his voice. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I wouldn’twantto, not now. I mean, I’m not related to them, but it’s like—oh, God, no.”
He bent forward and wheezed with laughter, causing Missy to snort and stamp her foot.
Jesse frowned. “The hell’s so funny?”
“I nearly said Bryce and Matt are like my mom and dad. Ugh. And now I can’t unsee it.” Tristan let out a breath, shaking his head at himself. Then he was quiet a moment longer, considering.
“It’s home,” he repeated finally.
They sat in silence, watching motes of dust float in the shafts of sunlight filtering through chinks in the wooden walls. Tristan was a warm weight against Jesse’s side, but it felt nothing like in the kitchen earlier with Matt. He just felt solid. Grounding. Comforting.
None of which were words he could use to describe how it had felt having Matt’s body touching his. His throat had dried, his heart had threatened to burst, and as for his dick… Well, less said about that the better. He remembered his earlier determination to get Matt Urban naked before he left. Might need to move that timeline up.
Though, honestly? If he’d feltthatwhen they hadn’t even been touching skin to skin, Jesse wasn’t sure he was going to survive it.
Chapter Thirteen
JESSE
The clanging of a bell somewhere close by caused Jesse to stiffen, wondering what it meant.
Tristan scrambled to his feet. “Dinnertime,” he said, reaching out a hand to help Jesse up.
Jesse didn’t need help. But something about Tristan made it hard to ignore the outstretched hand—Tristan had offered help as if that was just who he was, rather than because he thought Jesse couldn’t manage on his own. He accepted Tristan’s hand, though he wouldn’t be doing that again anytime soon. Brushing off his hands on his jeans, he followed Tristan’s eager path to the house.
The kitchen smelled fantastic—onions, garlic, and seared meat. Remembering Jason’s lecture, Jesse followed Tristan to the mudroom to wash up, and when they returned to the kitchen, Matt and Bryce had joined them, sitting at the table. It feltright,seeing Matt in the midst of his pack like that. Felt good to see him, those green eyes skating over Jesse with a welcome in them.
Jesse pulled out his chair and sat at what had fast become his usual place, trying not to look at Matt. Because there was looking and then there was plainstaring.Matt’s face was the kind to get smart people making bad decisions—strong jaw, those lips, and green eyes that saw everything. Shame he had to be so damn bossy. Though he hadn’t been too bossy earlier, just clear in what he expected, and Jesse could work with that. Better than vague rules and sudden punishments.
The back door opened again, bringing evening air with it, and Jesse looked up to see Dave and Christian. He’d never seen them apart yet, like they were joined at the hip. Was that a mate thing? The thought came unbidden, sliding into his head. Just as quickly, he wrinkled his nose, scoffing at himself. As if mates were real.
Unfortunately, Christian happened to look across as Jesse wrinkled his nose in disgust, and he might have misinterpreted that. Not that Jessewouldn’thave wrinkled his nose at Christian, but he hadn’t meant to. This time.
“Fuck,” Christian spat. “You’re still here?”
Jesse stretched in his chair, the picture of relaxation, though every muscle was coiled, ready to lunge forward if Christian came at him. “Well, hell—you’re quick on the uptake,” he drawled.
Christian’s shoulders squared, but before he could make a move, Matt’s voice cut through the kitchen, crisp and sharp. “You two take it outside later if you have to, but for now, we’re going to eat.”
“Believe me, Matt, I ain’t letting this one go,” Jesse said softly, holding Christian’s heated gaze. “Don’t much like being attacked when I’m out there, mindin’ my own business.”
“Minding your own business?” Christian’s glare could have melted steel. “You fucking attacked Dave!”
“Because that genius stuck his goddamn snout in my goddamn side. How was I supposed to know he wasn’t trying to take a goddamn lump out of me?”
“Enough.”
Jesse froze at the whip crack of Matt’s voice, while Jason jumped, nearly tipping over the pan he was stirring. His grip tightened on the spoon, shoulders rigid, as if braced for impact.
“I don’t care if you two want to tear lumps out of each other later, but right now, we’re eating,” Matt said. “You will sit down and shut the fuck up.”
Christian plunked down sulkily on his chair, though his gaze didn’t leave Jesse.
Jesse held Christian’s glare a moment longer, making damn sure Christian knew he wasn’t intimidated, before turning his attention to his silverware, running a slow finger along the knife’s edge.
“For God’s sake, it’s like running a kindergarten,” Matt muttered as Jason handed him a loaded plate.
