I frown. “We’re a couple now, Jude. Why would we drive separately unless one of us needs a car after work or something?”
“I guess.” His expression is impassive as he climbs into my SUV. He doesn’t speak as he clips his seatbelt, but he looks happy.
I start the car and head down the driveway toward the main road. “You thought I was going to tell you to keep this a secret, didn’t you?” I give him a chiding glance.
He lifts one shoulder. “Maybe.”
I sigh. “What part of I love you and can’t live without you are you not hearing?”
He looks out the window, his jaw tense. “People say things. They don’t always follow through.”
“I’m not like that.” I scowl. “When I say I’ll do something, I do it.”
He glances over and his expression softens. “Yeah, you actually are like that.”
“Then could you please stop waiting for me to fail?” I laugh gruffly.
He’s quiet for a bit, then he shifts toward me. “Liam, it’s going to be very weird for you to come out. You’re going to get a lot of looks. People are going to whisper behind your back. Everyone thinks of you as this huge womanizer. Now you’re suddenly in love with me?”
I grip the wheel. “I’m not an idiot. I know there will be a lot of shocked people.”
“Absolutely.” He sighs. “And I don’t even blame them. Frankly, it’s hard for me to believe you want me.”
“We’re going to have to work on your self-esteem.” I shake my head.
“This isn’t really that I think I’m a loser or anything. It’s more that, I’m a good enough catch and you’re like the golden boy of this town. Everyone loves you. You’re just that kind of guy. I’m not like that and never will be. I’m pretty sure even your family will wonder why the hell you broke up with a girl like Kara for me.”
I wince inwardly because I fully expect to get some flak from my family. Especially Mom. She adored Kara and is dying for grandkids. “Kara wasn’t my mate, you are. And my familyunderstands the mate bond. Will they be surprised, of course. But they’ll accept and respect our bond, Jude. I know they will.”
He sighs, fingers fidgeting on his seatbelt. “I just don’t want you to be unprepared for the amount of pushback you might get.”
“I’m a realist,” I say. “And most importantly, I love you, Jude.”
He glances over. “You’d better because I still have to break up with Ben, and that isnotgoing to be easy. I know he won’t see it coming.”
I scowl. “No, he won’t. Because that pipsqueak thought you were already his.”
He laughs. “I’ve never seen you jealous before. You’re a petty asshole aren’t you? Youwon, Liam. Ben is going to be heartbroken. Stop bagging on him.”
“I can’t help it,” I grumble. “It’s your fault for having him pick you up that night at our house. He was just so fucking sure of himself, and then I saw you guys kiss out by his truck.” I grit my teeth. “I wanted to strangle him.”
“I knew I saw the curtain move.” His tone is accusing.
“Well, it was horrible,” I mutter. “You try watching your mate kiss someone else. See how you like it.”
He gives me an incredulous look. “Been there, done that, Liam.”
“Oh, yeah.” I wince, face heating. “Sorry.”
We fall silent again, then he says, “Do you think maybe we should hold off on telling everyone about us?”
Scowling, I look over at him. “Excuse me?”
He grimaces. “I just mean maybe like a few days? Ben doesn’t know yet and I’d like to be the one to break it to him. Plus, you literally just broke up with Kara. Shouldn’t we give it a few days so that people have time to hear the news?”
I scowl. “But I don’t want to have to pretend you’re not mine.”
Jude laughs. “You sound like a little kid.”
