Jude looks at Maisie on the stage, then back at me. “I’m proud, Amber. I’m so damn proud of you I can hardly see straight.”
My throat tightens. “Jude...”
“I mean it,” he says fiercely. “Look at what you’ve done. You came here with nothing. You built a life. You’re working. You’re taking care of Maisie. And tonight? Tonight is a culmination of all of that. Watching her up there... it’s because of you. You did that.”
“Why are you being so emotional?” I whisper, my eyes burning.
He laughs again, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder. “Because I’m a sap. Because I’m your brother and I love you.”
Just then, the double doors at the back of the gymnasium swing open.
A hush falls over the crowd near the entrance, then a murmur of excitement ripples through the rows. I turn to look.
My breath catches in my throat.
Knox, Eli, and Fallon walk in.
And they aren’t wearing their usual kitchen attire. No grease-stained whites, no jeans. They’re in suits.
Knox is in a deep charcoal three-piece that fits his broad shoulders like it was tailored for him. He has a crisp white shirt underneath, a dark tie knotted perfectly at his throat. He looks severe, sophisticated, and dangerous.
Eli is in a lighter gray suit with a navy vest over a button-down. His glasses catch the gym lights, reflecting the room. He looks softer, approachable, but just as striking.
And Fallon... Fallon is wearing a navy suit that fits him perfectly. His hair is actually styled, swooped back off his forehead. He looks like a movie star. He looks like trouble.
They spot us immediately. The crowd seems to part around them as they walk toward the bleachers. They move with that pack synchronicity, eating up the distance.
Jude stands up as they approach. He greets them with a handshake and a back-slap that seems way too familiar.
“Good to see you guys made it,” Jude says.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Fallon replies, flashing his charming grin.
What the fuck?Since when are they friends?
Jude glances at me, then back at them. “I’m going to go find Norah. She’s probably lost in the bathroom line. See you inside?”
“Absolutely,” Knox says.
Jude walks off, leaving me sitting there with my heart beating so loud that I can hear it in my ears. I stand up as they reach our row.
“Hi,” I breathe out.
They stop, towering over me. The smell of them—clean laundry, expensive cologne, and underneath it, that rich musk of Alpha—washes over me, drowning out the scent of floor wax and stress.
“You look...” Eli starts, his gaze sweeping over my face. “Stunned.”
“I feel stunned,” I say, looking down at my simple jeans and sweater. I feel underdressed. “You guys... look incredible.”
“Clean,” Fallon says with a wink. “Scrubbed up good.”
“Thank you for coming,” I say, looking between them. “What is going on? Why the suits?”
“Nothing special,” Fallon lies smoothly. He leans a shoulder against the bleacher, looking casual despite the five-thousand-dollar outfit. “Just wanted to look respectable for your kid’s big debut.”
“Mmhmm.” I cross my arms. “I find it hard to believe you put suits on just for a third-grade debate.”
Fallon grins, shrugging one shoulder. “Can’t a guy look nice for his favorite girl?”
