I flick my gaze between his eyes for a long moment, trying to figure out if he’s telling the truth or just what he thinks I want to hear. When I don’t see anything but honesty, I nod. “Deal.”
CHAPTER 20
LARK
When we walk back into the dining room, Hal’s the first one to notice us.
He bounds over from where he was standing, talking to Colt and Rook. When he reaches me, he gives me a bear hug that squeezes the breath from my lungs. “Wild girl,” he breathes. “I didn’t think you were coming back.”
I hesitantly wrap my arms around him, still not used to how touchy the guys are.
My heart squeezes uncomfortably at the worry in his voice, so I try to lighten the mood. “Well, Remy told me that you had a surprise for me. I couldn’t miss that, now could I?”
“I do. I made it just for you.” He pulls back to flash me a crooked grin before his face turns serious. “And I’m sorry about dragging you to dinner. I should’ve been up-front with you that it was with family, and I should’ve anticipated something like this happening with Az being AWOL. I understand if you’re rethinking agreeing to be friends.”
“I still wanna be friends, Hal. How other people act doesn’t change my opinion of you. I thought you’d be the one not wanting to hang out with me anymore.”
My voice comes out more vulnerable that I mean for it to, but the guys are quickly worming their way into my heart. I always look forward to talking or hanging out with them, and it’d hurt if they never wanted to see me again.
“There’s nothing in this or any other world that could make me stop wanting to spend time with you, wild girl.” Seeming to shake himself out of his serious mood, Hal gives me one more squeeze before letting his arms fall away. “I’m a man of my word, so lemme go get your surprise.”
He walks to another door at the opposite end of the dining room that leads to the kitchen. As he passes Win, he gestures for her to follow him. After giving me an uncertain smile, she does.
Colt steps into my space before I can return Win’s smile. “Hey, sweetheart.”
I crane my neck back to meet his gaze, wondering how the hell all the guys are so damn tall. “Hi.”
He places a hand on my lower back and presses me against him. “How are you doin’?”
I shrug. “I’m good.”
Because what else is there to say?
His dads can hear everything I tell him. There’s no way I’m admitting how rattled and uncertain I feel from their interrogation.
He chuckles, but the sound is devoid of any humor. Colt leans in until I can feel his warm breath feathering over my lips before growling, “I must not have been clear earlier. Don’t lie to me, Lark. My patience for liars is already almost nonexistent. You don’t want to see what happens when my patience runs out, so stick to the truth from now on. Understood?”
“Understood,” I squeak, unsure whether I’m terrified or intrigued by his threat.
“Good girl,” he whispers against my mouth before pulling back. “Now let’s try this again. How are you?”
My brain short-circuits at his praise, and I fumble for something to say. “I’ve been worse.”
He huffs a laugh. “I’ll take it. But when I ask you how you are, it’s because I genuinely want to know. No matter how messy or complicated or confusing your feelings are, I want to know.”
Before I have a chance to respond, Colt presses his lips to my forehead and steps back. Rook appears in front of me, one hand tucked into the pocket of his black slacks. His white button-down is rolled up to his elbows, showcasing his corded forearms decorated with swirling ink.
Rubbing the back of his head, Rook gives me a wry half smile that makes his gray eyes a shade lighter. “So, I’m guessing this didn’t help your opinion of families?”
I snort. “I mean, they acted exactly like mine does, so no.”
“I promise they aren’t always like this. Believe it or not, Colt, Remy, and Hal’s families are weirdly functional most of the time.”
“I do believe it. I have a habit of bringing out the worst in people.” I’m sure their dads are perfectly nice to their family and friends, just not to some random interloper they hate before even getting to know.
Rook scoffs. “I highly doubt that. Anyone with half a brain can see the goodness that particularly radiates out of you. People just like being shitty to good souls.”
My lips part in surprise at how confident he sounds in his assessment. Part of me wants to argue with him and insist he see the bad person I really am. But the other part of me can’t stand the thought of Rook or any of the guys seeing me for who I really am.
