Landon lifts a brow, unimpressed. “And you care because…?”
I lean forward, fingers pressing against the edge of the table. “Because she deserves better than some player with a camera-ready smile.”
He waves a dismissive hand. “She’s a grown woman. Let her make her own mistakes.”
“She’s your sister,” I snap, feeling the irritation rise in my chest. “Aren’t you even a little concerned?”
Landon shrugs, unbothered. “She can handle herself. If she wants to mess around with the omega, that’s her call, not mine. Maybe you’re the one who needs to chill out. Getting all bent out of shape over it isn’t gonna change anything.”
Before I can respond, a voice interrupts us. “Ooh, what’s got you two looking so serious?”
I look up to see Dee, my little sister, strolling over with a grin plastered across her face, clearly delighted to crash the conversation. Dean’s by her side looking a little more rumpled than normal, but I don’t have time to focus on him. “You guys fighting over something important? Or just being dramatic?” she teases, sliding into the booth beside me like she belongs here.
Landon chuckles, clearly enjoying the break in tension. He takes a long drink and says, “Mason’s losing his mind over Lake’s love life.”
Dee gasps, her eyes wide with fake shock. “No way. Mason getting worked up overfeelings? Someone call the press.”
I roll my eyes, but a small part of me softens, the irritation from earlier fading. “Dee, can you not?”
“Oh, I’m definitely sticking around for this,” she says, leaning on her elbow and giving me a smug grin. “Come on, big brother. Let’s hear it. What’s got you all wound up?”
“Lakelyn’s dating someone?” Dean slides into the booth next to Landon, his gaze hardening as soon as he sees my expression. As if he knows who she could be dating.
“Evidently.” Landon grins, clearly enjoying the whole thing. “Mason’s in full overprotective mode,” he says, jerking his thumb at me. “Worried about some omega messing with Lake.”
Dee snorts. “Seriously? That’s what this is about?” She elbows me playfully. “You’re kinda cute when you get all grumpy, you know that?”
I ignore her and lean forward, my voice tight. “It’s not just any omega.”
Dee raises her brows, clearly waiting for the punchline.
“It’s Chad fromOmega in Paradise.”
Her reaction is instant. Her eyes widen, and her lips part. “Oh, cheese on a cracker.”
Dean stiffens beside Landon, the tension radiating off him. “Chad?” His voice is low, edged with something unreadable. “That’s really who Lakelyn’s with?”
I nod grimly. “Yeah.”
Dee leans back, tapping her fingers on the table. “He was a hot mess on the show, sure, but... I mean, it was great TV. You think he’s really that bad?”
Dean scoffs, leaning back in his seat but not relaxing. “He’s bad. I can almost guarantee he is only messing with her to get under my skin. It’s a game to him. Everything’s a game.” His voice is clipped, and I can tell this is hitting him harder than he’s letting on. “Back in high school, he pulled the same crap. Acting like he cared about people, then bailing when it suited him.”
I glance at Dean, surprised he’s sharing this much. He’s usually tight-lipped about his past. “Exactly. He’s not serious about anyone. You saw how he acted on that show—just in it for the attention. He’s gonna use Lake and then toss her aside.”
Dean shakes his head, his jaw tight. “He doesn’t care who he hurts, as long as he gets what he wants. Lakelyn doesn’t need to get caught up in that. Chad’s not the type to settle down or be genuine with anyone.”
Dee shrugs, trying to lighten the mood. “Okay, yeah, he was flirty with all the alphas, but that was a show, Mase. People play it up for the cameras. Maybe he’s different in real life.”
Dean’s expression darkens, his voice low. “He’snotdifferent. Trust me.” His words come out bitter, a hint of something unspoken between the lines. “He’s been playing people for as long as I’ve known him.”
I grip the edge of the table. “The guy turns on the charm like it’s a damn switch.” Dean and I share a look of pure understanding.
Dee looks at both of us, then sighs. “Maybe he’s the same, maybe he’s not. But at the end of the day, it’s not up to either of you. If Lake’s into him, she’ll figure it out.”
Dean lets out a harsh laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “Yeah, and by the time she does, he’ll have left her in pieces. He’s good at that.”
Landon, clearly unfazed by the rising tension, raises his beer. “I trust her. She’s not a kid anymore.”
