Chance wrapped a strong hand around the back of David’s neck. “You tell me what I can do to help, and I will. I just want you to be happy, okay?”
David swallowed hard. “Thanks.”
He appreciated that Chance didn’t comment on how hoarse his voice had gotten.
“Now, go get your fucking clothes on, you fucking narcissist. The rest of us are tired of seeing your naked ass.”
David laughed, turning toward his locker and bumping his shoulder to Chance’s. “You mean you’re tired of me making you look bad, old man.”
Chance let out a long-suffering sigh. “Such a pain in the ass. Also, you’re two months older than me, asshole.”
Mati and Reese chatted with Michaela while they waited for David. When Lachlan, Kieran, and Chance joined them, Mati peeked down the hallway to see if David was coming.
“He’ll be here in a second, I promise,” Chance said. “He got caught up with something. He was rushing around trying to get out here faster until then.”
Mati smiled gratefully. “Thanks.”
“You feel safer when he’s with you?” Chance asked, though it sounded more like an observation.
“Yes.”
He nodded, his face passive, but a hint of a shadow passed through his eyes.
“It’s more than that,” she added, lowering her voice to not interrupt the conversation around them.
Chance’s gaze cut back to her. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I think you’ll understand what I mean when I say he’s got something that draws you in, you know?”
Chance smirked. “He had it at age seven when I met him.”
“And it hasn’t changed, has it?”
“Oh, I don’t know, it might have gotten worse. Or is that better?”
Mati laughed. “You knowexactlywhat I mean. He’s smart. And kind. And so fucking generous.”
“He likes to take care of people,” Chance said, casting a glance down the hallway as if to make sure he wasn’t caught giving away something that couldn’t be a secret to anyone who knew David.
“He does. He’s good at it. I’m not sure he’s as good at taking care of himself.”
Chance’s eyes locked with hers. “Caught that, did you?”
Mati shrugged self-consciously.
“He’s…” Chance trailed off, hesitating.
“Hey,” Mati said, nudging Chance gently. “You don’t have to say anything. I mean, at some point we have to go back to Nova Scotia, which I know means it’s unlikely to go anywhere.”
It made her sad, sadder than it should, to say that.
Chance was frowning, too. “So, a fling?”
“Ugh,” Mati muttered, though that word was exactly what should be used to describe what was happening.
Chance watched her.
“All I can promise is, if given half a chance, Reese and I will take as good care of David as he takes of us, for as long as it’s possible.”
