“Pleasant surprise seeing you here.” Two large, familiar forms dropped down on the bench seat on either side of me before they threw their arms over my shoulders with bright fanged grins.
“Do you know these guys, Jack?” Tate said, his smile never dropped, the tension in his jaw the only sign that he was bothered.
I sighed, glancing up at the redhead approaching, sucking on a straw of a cup.Really? Crashing my date. Don’t you have anything else to do?
Rayne arched a brow and smirked.
Shrugging off Drake and Allister’s arms, I sighed. “Yeah, they’re friends I met through Alora.” I emphasized ‘friends’ trying to make sure my dads didn’t blow my cover because they couldn’t mind their own business. I already felt guilty as hell for lying to Tate about my identity.
“Yeah.” Allister bumped his shoulder against mine. “We just happened to see you two on our way to grab our human some of the best tacos in town.”
“So, Jackie,” Drake leaned on his hand, wagging his brows, “who’s the guy?”
I growled, glaring at my dad.
Tate held his hand out to him with a friendly smile. “Tate. Jack’s boyfriend.”
I resisted the urge to facepalm. I’d never hear the end of it now. They’d be dive-bombing me with questions the moment I got home.
If they waited that long.
“Boyfriend huh?” Drake smirked as he shook Tate’s hand, eyes locking with his. “And how long as this been going on?”
“It’s new,” I jumped in. “And we’re on a date. So, if you don’t mind…?”
“Alright, alright.” Allister stood with a laugh, smacking Drake on the back of the head before gesturing to get going.
Drake reluctantly stood, but not before swiping one of my tacos. He shoved it in his mouth before I could reprimand him.
“You’re a vampire! What do you need tacos for?” I snapped, covering the rest on my plate.
Laughing, Drake licked his fingers. “What can I say? I can’t resist. Nice meeting you, Tate.” He snapped his fingers and winked at Tate.
Rayne stared at Tate for a long hard minute before glancing at me. He inclined his head, giving me his seal of approval. Apparently, Tate’s thoughts were pure or good enough for my dad.
Surprising with how often Tate liked to tease me with innuendos.
The three of them finally left, and I could finally breathe easily.
“Well…” Tate watched them walk away before turning his attention to me, a forced smile on his lips. “That was an unexpected surprise.”
I pressed my face into my hands. “I’m sorry about that. They have no sense of personal space.”
“And they’re friends of Alora?” he asked, almost unsure.
I glanced off to the side. “Yeah, I forgot they come into this town sometimes.”
“Right.” Tate inclined his head, eating another one of his tacos, unnaturally quiet.
I fiddled with the straw of my drink, watching him with worried eyes. Then my brows rose significantly, my lips curling up coyly. “Tate?”
“Hmmm.” He didn’t look up from his food.
My foot dragged up the length of his leg, teasing toward the apex. “Are you… jealous?”
Tate turned his head to the side, his chin dipping as he pouted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His dejected words sounded almost like a dark cloud had fallen over him.
I stood and leaned over the table, grabbing the front of his shirt. My mouth pressed against his across the table, startling him out of his dark cloud. I released him just as abruptly, my mouth opening to reassure him.
