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Chapter One
Beckett Lovato had just sat down to enjoy his breakfast when someone rang the doorbell. He wasn’t getting up. It had taken him half an hour to cook what was in front of him and hell if he was letting his food get cold.
When the bell rang again, Beckett got up with a growl. “This had better be important,” he grumbled as he made his way to the living room. Seriously, no one else in the house had heard someone at the front door and could get off their ass to answer it? Cormac had said he was going to the diner for breakfast, but Hayden and Duncan were there.
As he crossed through the living room to the foyer, Beckett rolled his eyes. Things must’ve been slow at the bakery, because Bran was on the couch with Hayden, and they were trying to suck each other’s face off. “You two didn’t hear the doorbell?”
Hayden surfaced from Bran’s face long enough to give Beckett a shit-eating grin. “Was too busy driving my tongue down Bran’s throat.”
Bran smacked Hayden’s chest. “I told you to answer it.”
“I told you I had more interesting things to do.” Hayden wiggled his brows before he went back in for another kiss.
If Beckett ever found his mate, he prayed he wasn’t as sickeningly in love as Hayden and Bran were. Just the other day the two were supposed to be helping Milly with laundry, but when Beckett stepped into the laundry room, he’d found the two smashing a large laundry basket because they’d been lying on top of it making out.
“I swear I’m going to turn a hose on you guys,” Beckett threatened as he opened the front door.
Standing on the other side was Dax Knolls. A guy Beckett had dated five years ago. A guy he’d left high and dry when he’d moved out of his parents’ house and decided to get back to his life. He’d only been living with them because he’d been going through some shit.
When he’d first met Dax, Beckett had been all over that.
Until Dax became too clingy, demanding that they move in together. He’d demanded a lot of things Beckett wasn’t willing to give, and Beckett had made himself clear when they’d started dating that he wasn’t looking for anything serious or long term.
At the time, Dax had said the same thing. Then one night, shit just flipped and Dax started calling and texting way too much, dropping by unannounced, getting all cozy with Beckett’s parents and Milly, the housekeeper and family friend.
Though Milly was more than that. She’d been with the Lovato family since Hayden was a kitten. One hundred and twenty-five years. She was just as much a part of this family as the brothers.
“Dax,” Beckett said cautiously. “What’re you doing here?”
The guy was wiry and tall. Not as tall as Beckett’s six feet three inches, though. Dax reached up to run a hand through his strawberry-blond hair but pulled it away at the last second, as if remembering he’d styled it. His green eyes sparkled as he looked Beckett over like he was a side of beef. “I heard you were back in town.”
It had been over a month, but Beckett didn’t want to think about why he and his brothers had moved back home. He kept one hand on the door, making sure he didn’t open it any wider to avoid giving Dax the wrong impression that he was invited inside.
“You just disappeared,” Dax went on. “I came by one day and your mom told me you’d moved back to…” Dax frowned and then smiled. “To wherever you lived.”
“Was there something you wanted?” All Beckett could think about was how his breakfast was getting cold. Normally Milly cooked for them, but now that the Lovato brothers were older, they pitched in. They’d insisted on Milly taking the morning off.
Now Beckett wished Hayden had answered the door.
Dax blinked then slid his hands into the pockets of his pristine jeans. “Well, I just wanted to catch up, you know? See how you were doing. It’s been a while.”
Beckett’s didn’t want to be rude, but he also didn’t want to encourage Dax. “I’ve been better. Look, I’m sorry, but I’m really not in the mood for company right now.”
Dax’s face fell, but he nodded. “Okay, I understand. But could I maybe take you out for dinner sometime? Just to talk?”
Beckett hesitated. He didn’t want to lead Dax on, but he also didn’t want to be completely heartless. “I don’t know, Dax. I’m not really looking to date anyone right now.”
“Who said anything about dating?” Dax’s laugh was a little strained, telling Beckett that the guy had been hoping to pick up where they’d left off.
That wasn’t happening. Beckett wasn’t into clingy, needy, demanding men.
Beckett felt a surge of annoyance at the gleam in Dax’s eyes, as if he thought Beckett couldn’t see the game the guy was playing. “Listen, Dax, I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested in rehashing the past. It’s been five years, and I’ve moved on.” He hoped that would be enough to deter Dax, but he seriously doubted it.
Dax’s face faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. “I understand, Beckett. I just wanted to catch up and see how you’re doing. But if you’re not interested, then I’ll respect your wishes.” He took a step back, his hands still in his pockets.
The only wishes Dax respected were his own. Beckett should tell the guy that he was dating someone else or that he was married. That was one of the very few principles the guy had. Dax didn’t poach.
If you didn’t start with that, it’s too late now. Dax will see right through your lie.
