I just lift one brow at him, cocking my hip. “Thatalmost-accident wasn’t your fault, but you are the clumsiest person on the planet and I am not taking any risks—especially when your feet aren’t planted firmly on the floor.”
Pete considers this for a moment, then concedes and jumps down, needing to catch himself on the sink before he face-plants.
“I really hope your husband has a great insurance policy for you,” I mutter, shaking my head. I give Pete a wide berth as I follow him into the living room and set the tray of coffee and biscuits on the glass table.
“Okay, so how did you save a kid's life?” Pete asks impatiently.
This only makes me take a slower sip of my coffee, before settling back on the couch and relaying the events of last weekend.
The thing with Pete is that he is eternally happy. The guy never stops smiling—ergo, he’s my ‘Sunshine.’ So when his face morphs into a grimace, then a frown, finally settling on anger, I’m not actually sure what to do. This is uncharted territory for me.
“His fucking brother? No wonder you pulled a gun on the assholes. I mean, the gun isn't loaded, right? You never kept it loaded before.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t loaded, but they didn’t know that. Between the gun and Eric’s fuck-around-and-find-out tone, it was enough to scare them off. We brought Blake inside and called Roman to help him get settled at the shelter.” I shrug, because it's really not that big of a deal. We just did what anybody else would have done. “Eric and I have been to check on Blake a few times. We bought him and a few of the other teens some necessities and we text a lot. He seems to have settled and made some friends, but I dunno, I feel kind of responsible for him.”
“What about the brother? Has he tried to contact him?” The concern is written all over Pete’s face. He has never even met Blake, yet he is more concerned about him than Blake’s own parents are. As far as I know,theyhaven't even bothered to call or try to find their son.
“So far, Blake hasn’t mentioned anything, but he did block his brother's number. Eric also filed for a restraining order in the hope that it keeps his brother and his prick friends away.”
“Well, that's good. Do you think there’s anything else he needs? Gavin and I are happy to get him some things. Maybe we could swing by the shelter some time and you could introduce us. This kid sounds like he needs people in his corner.”
I can feel my cold heart swelling with love for my best friend.
Pete takes advantage of my silent admiration by moving closer and fixing me with an inquisitive stare. “So… tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Are you in love with your boss?”
His question hits me like a punch to the gut. Without any real thought, I look my best friend in the eye and answer him honestly. “Yeah, Sunshine. I think I am.”
I’m not sure what reaction I was expecting from Pete by admitting that, but it certainly wasn't him whipping out his phone and starting a group chat withmy parents.
Sunshine:Order in the court, I am calling a family meeting. You son and my best friend is a sneaky little minx who has been hiding a secret boyfriend from us all!!
“You did not just text that to my parents—” my phone starts beeping like crazy.
Mom:WHAT? Nooo. Jordan, you came out of my vagina and you dare to keep this a secret from me?
Dad:Pete, what evidence do you have to support your claim?
Sunshine:The medical bill from having my eyes bleached after I walked in on them mid-handjob on the couch. Good enough for you?
Dad:No further questions. Beverly, dear, your witness.
Mom:OMFG this is epic. Who is he? Is it serious? Out of ten, how hot is he?
Me:I hate you all
Mom:Shut it, you ungrateful brat. I’m talking to my other child.
Pete:SCORCHING!!!
Mom:Just to confirm the details of the case: who was receiving the handjob?
Pete:Jordan. He does this weird thing with his mouth when he finishes. I think he might need to see somebody about that.
Dad:TMI, kid. TMI.
Mom:Oh, his Dad does that too. I think it's genetic.
Dad has left the group chat
