“I don’t know,” Rhodes replies, “but you seem pretty invested in finding out the answer.”
“I just like being right,” I counter, which is only partially true. “Besides, you literally just agreed with me that Ace is hot when he’s pissed off.”
Rhodes groans. “I was making conversation.”
Ace shifts in his seat, and I enjoy watching him squirm. “You’re reading too much into it.”
“Am I?” I lean forward between the seats again. “Because I’ve been watching you both, and the comment about Ace being hot was simply confirmation.”
“So what if we are?” Rhodes asks, his eyes on the road but his attention fully on me.
I shrug, trying to play it cool even though my brain is supplying very detailed images. “So nothing. I don’t care who you both sleep with, I just think it’s hot.”
Ace’s jaw tightens, and Rhodes’s knuckles go white on the steering wheel.
“Hot?” Ace repeats flatly.
“Yeah.” I can’t help but sound pleased with myself. “Two gorgeous men—that’s like premium spank-bank material.”
“Jesus Christ, Maddie,” Rhodes mutters, but I catch thealmostsmile tugging at his lips.
“What? I’m just being honest.” I sit back. “So are you going to confirm it, or are we playing the Maddie guessing game?”
“Our personal life is our business,” Ace says, like that’s supposed to end the conversation.
“That’s not a no,” I point out. “Which means I’m right.”
“You’re very sure of yourself,” Rhodes says, and there’s a hint of amusement in his tone as he watches the road.
“I’m very observant,” I correct him. I settle back in my seat, knowing I’ve gotten under their skin. The smirk on my face probably isn’t helping.
Ace clears his throat. “Can we focus on the fact that you snuck out?”
“We already covered that,” I say dismissively. “You’re mad, and I don’t care. I’m much more interested in this fresh development.”
“There’s no development,” Ace says firmly.
“Your face says otherwise.”
Rhodes laughs despite the look Ace shoots him. “You’re impossible, Maddie.”
“And you’re evading answering me,” I shoot back.
Then I remember the silent presence beside me. I turn to look at Vander, who’s been watching this entire exchange without a word.
“You’re awfully quiet, Vander. Did you know about them?”
He nods once, and somehow that single gesture says everything.
“Of course you did.” I let out a breath. “The silent ones always know everything.”
The tension in the car is thick enough to cut with a knife. I’ve put something out in the open that can’t be taken back, and part of me enjoys it.
“So, Rhodes,” I say after a moment, unable to help myself. “Does this mean you’re off limits now? Because I was really enjoying making you uncomfortable.”
Rhodes shifts in his seat, glancing back with a look that makes my stomach tighten. “Who says you make me uncomfortable?”
“Please. You practically choked on air when I came out in that black dress.”
