Page 94 of Rush

“The rest of your party is already here.” He smiles. “Follow me.”

The host leads us to our table, and my stomach is swimming with nerves.

I see them all seated around the table. Missy is already here, looking gorgeous, as always, in a powder-blue dress. On one side of her is a younger-looking Ares, who has to be Lo—seriously good-looking—and on her other side is a stunning brunette, who I’m guessing is Cam. Next to her is a slighter bigger version of Ares, which can only be Zeus—sweet Lord, he’s handsome but not as handsome as Ares, of course—and next to him is a huge blond guy, who has to be Kaden Scott. Also really good-looking.

Kaden isn’t family, but he’s as good as to Zeus and Cam, and I know Missy is close to him, too.

Kaden used to be a boxer until, believe it or not, a boxing match with Zeus Kincaid left Kaden unconscious and in a coma.

Ares told me how messed up Zeus had been after it happened and how he stepped up and paid for Kaden’s medical bills and rehabilitation.

They’ve been close ever since.

“Finally! We’ve been dying of starvation here, waiting for you to show up,” Zeus says to Ares, a lightheartedness to his tone.

“We’re not even late, dipshit.”

Zeus chuckles out a deep, rumbling laugh.

Ares puts his arm around my shoulders, giving me a gentle squeeze. “Ari, this is my older brother, Zeus, and his better half, Cam. That is Kaden Scott, and you know Missy, so I’ll skip her. And the idiot sitting next to her is my younger brother, Lo.”

“Thanks, man,” Lo says, giving Ares the middle finger.

“Hi, everyone.” I smile. “It’s great to meet you all.”

Cam gets to her feet and comes around the table to us. “It’s so good to finally meet you, Ari. We’ve heard so much about you.” Then, she hugs me, kissing my cheek. “You’re right, Ares; she’s gorgeous,” she says to him, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek.

We all take our seats, Ares holding mine out for me, like the gentleman he is.

The waiter appears. “Can I get you a drink?”

A glance at the table tells me everyone has already ordered. I notice there’s no alcohol on the table at all.

Did they not order any for my sake?

I know Ares doesn’t drink, which is because of his dad, who isn’t here tonight. He avoids all places where they serve alcohol, which I can totally understand.

I know Missy and Lo had coffee with him earlier, as they were both coming from there to here.

If they aren’t drinking for my sake, then I feel really touched that they would do that for me. But really embarrassed, too.

I wish I were a different person for him. A better person. One who could come to a restaurant and order alcohol and not end up in rehab straight afterward.

“A sparkling water for me,” I say quietly, feeling awkward.

“And for you, sir?” the waiter asks Ares.

“Diet Pepsi.”

Ares takes my hand and squeezes it, as though he can sense my inner turmoil.

I look at him and offer a smile. It’s forced, but I don’t want him to worry, and I definitely don’t want to spoil his evening.

“So, I have a question for Ari,” Lo says, pulling my attention from Ares to him. “What exactly are you doing with my thick head of a brother? You do realize, you could do a million times better than him, right? Yeah, yeah, he might be a famous football player, but he’s batting way, way above his average with you. You’re like prime rib steak, and he’s burger—and not even a good burger. He’s like one of those shitty, skinny ones that are made mostly out of water.”

Lo grins, and a small laugh escapes me.

I glance at Ares, who raises a brow at me, as though to say, What did I tell you?