“I don’t call myself that. You call me that,” Nate deadpanned, and I snorted, unable to help it.
“Is she hot?” Jake asked, and Nate’s body snapped taut.
“She’s off limits,” he growled, but Jake wasn’t deterred. “Hence why you didn’t know I had a sister.”
“So, she’s hot.”
“She’s off fucking limits,” he growled again, deeper this time.
“I wonder where she lives.” Jake tapped his chin.
“Jake,” he hissed. I’m pretty sure there was steam coming out of his ears. This was great for me. If they were arguing, there was no heat on me.
“I mean, I could just follow Nate around to find out,” Jake said, talking to himself.
“You’re not stalking his family,” I said flatly.
Jake looked offended. “Stalking is such a harsh word.”
Nate shot him a glare that could curdle milk. “Say another word, and Iwillput you in a head lock.”
All innocence, Jake held up his hands. “Okay, okay. Message received. Off limits. Loud and clear.”
A beat passed.
“…Does she have friends?”
“Jesus Christ,” Nate muttered, dragging a hand down his face. “This is why I don’t tell you things.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You walked into that one, mate.”
Jake grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “I’ve learned two things today: one, Nate is terrifying when provoked about his hot sister. And two”—his eyes slid back to me, assessing—“you’re still deflecting.”
I should’ve known it wouldn’t take him long to circle back to the reason he was here. “I’m just a guy living his life, what do you want from me?”
Jake snorted. “I want thetruth, O’Riley.”
Nate shot him a look. “Ease up.”
“I am eased,” Jake said, gesturing vaguely. “This is merelaxed.”
I pushed off the counter and took a drink, buying myself a second. “There’s nothing dramatic going on. No injuries. No existential crises. I’m training, I’m sleeping, I’m not actively spiraling. That’s a win.”
Jake hummed, unconvinced.
Nate glanced between us, then shrugged. “He does seem… settled.”
“And we’re about to play the Snakes this weekend. He’s usually strung out.” Jake wasn’t going to let this go, I knew that, but I wasn’t about to kiss and tell.
I scoffed. “You’re a feckin’ pain in my arse, Ledger.”
“And yet,” Jake said, pointing at me, “you haven’t told me to fuck off once.”
“I told you to feck off earlier.”
“He did,” Nate confirmed.
I shook my head, a smile tugging at my mouth. “Maybe I’m just in a good place.”
