“Right. Well, I’ve never been on a date before. So I might be awkward.”
He jolts back, his mouth dropping open. “Like never?”
I press my lips together, my cheeks heating, and shake my head. “Nope.”
I’m not sure how I expected Scott to act, but it didn’t involve a warm smile. “Then I guess I really do have to make a good first impression, huh? Let’s grab a table, Addie.”
I nod and pick up my drink. I just hope the table is nowhere near JJ and his date.
TWENTY-SIX
JJ
“Have you spotted them yet?”Dad looks up from his menu and peruses the place.
“They’re at the bar. Don’t be obvious,” Beckett grumbles, though he glances over his shoulder, being exactly that.
Aiden rubs his hands together, his dark eyes flashing. “I can’t wait to see Addie’s reaction.”
Brooks huffs. “Why am I here?”
I nudge his foot and frown. “To support me.”
He scrutinizes me. “Support you in what? Stalking the woman you considerjust a coach?”
I sigh. Looks like the jig is up. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to admit it.
At least Garreth and Hayden aren’t here to witness this. Gavin either. He said he wanted nothing to do with pissing off his assistant coach. He suggested the rest of us follow his example, but Beckett was having none of that. Neither was I.
And thank god I didn’t listen, because the guy Savannah chose is huge. There’s no way Adeline isn’t uncomfortable. He’s standing too close and towering over her. Probably talking down to her too. While she keeps laughing, it’s probably because she’s nervous.
The guy can’t be that funny.
Not that she has ever laughed at a man’s jokes just to make him feel better.
Fuck. It’s like the Adeline I’ve known for more than half my life is disappearing right in front of my eyes.
Aiden clears his throat and sets his menu down. “What’s good here?”
“It’s a steakhouse,” Brooks grumbles.
“So? Maybe the porterhouse is better than the filet. Or maybe they have a really good fish option on the menu. Don’t be so closed-minded.”
With a sigh, Brooks downs his whiskey. The second he sets it on the table, he holds up his hand, signaling to the server to bring him another.
My father sets his menu down. “I always get the filet here. They have a good garlic butter rub.”
Beckett sets his menu down as well. “I prefer the porterhouse.”
“Shit. Now what?” Aiden says, focus once again on the menu. “You want to get one and I’ll get the other?”he asks, peering over at Brooks.
“Are we five?” his brother huffs.
“Jeez. With that attitude, you’d think Sara was the one on a date with another man. Not even JJ is biting my head off, and his girl is the one who’s with someone else.”
“She’s not his girl,” both my father and Beckett growl.
Tongue pressed to my cheek, I fight the urge to tell them the fuck she’s not.
