Dinner feels like a true family affair, with Ruko and Lyla playfully grumbling about each other, and Dad looking on with a smile so content that the internet would probably explode if I posted a video of it.
I’m thinking of doing just that when Lex interrupts his parents.
“All right, knock it off,” he snaps at them—somehow in a fond if exasperated way. “Can’t believe you two are supposed to be the parents. I want to talk to you about... everything.”
He has everyone’s full attention instantly, including mine.
“What’s up?” Dad asks easily.
“I want to find a place in or near Irvington. Probably to rent, but since I have two more seasons on my contract and the Demons absorbed the no-trade clause, I’m pretty sure buying wouldn’t be the worst idea. If it gets out, it could also help with the narrative.”
Everyone nods along, but I don’t understand what narrative needs helping?
I keep quiet for now, determined to once and for all ask Lex about this and his reaction to the trade when we’re alone.
“So, finding a place is top priority,” Lyla surmises.
“I can help with that,” I pipe up as Lex nods at his mom.
“Thanks, angel,” he says sweetly and grips my hand, bringing it to rest in his lap. “I’ll go to Irvington on Tuesday with Patrick to finalize any paperwork and let the trainers and their doctor take a look at my face. When they give me a timeline of recovery I’ll know how urgent the house is.”
“I think this might be a good time to bring something up,” Dad says, and he sounds a bit awkward, way too diplomatic, but he meets Lex’s eyes.
“What?” Lex asks Dad softly.
“I understand why you were against it while you were at Richester, and when you moved to LA, but living in the city and with everything going on with the trade, I think it’s time you hire security.”
The last words hang in the air above the kitchen table for a long moment, almost echoing.
Lex groans and lets his head fall until his forehead almost touches his plate. I lunge forward but there’s no need. He remembers he just had surgery on his face just in time to stop and sigh. I’m pretty sure he’s disappointed that he can’t even show his frustration the way he wants to.
“It’s for your own safety,” Lyla says, trying not to but still sounding like a total mom.
“I know,” Lex mumbles, and when he raises his head, he even smiles at Dad, and it’s not all fake either. “I appreciate you caring, Michael, I really do.”
“I know,” Dad says softly.
“I can ask Austin, to see if he has any recommendations. Someone who’s cool so you won’t hate every second,” I propose.
“That’d be nice, thank you,” he murmurs. I get lost in his eyes for a long moment, like time stops. We stay right there, just looking at each other, smiling, happy, content.
“I can help too, while I’m here,” Ruko offers, and snaps us out of whatever that was. “It’ll be hard to find someone who looks more like a bodyguard than you do on any given day,” he says with obvious pride ringing in his voice.
That has us all chuckling, and the little tension that built is dissipating.
The rest of the night is spent discussing the roster of the Demons—Ruko is pretty sure the two guys they sent to LA to get Lex were assholes, but he texts Vinny and a few other people to ask. Then we veer into Lyla’s work, to the spring collection she’s releasing, which she’s beyond excited about.
Once we’re done clearing the table, I hold my tablet up to Lex.
“I brought this so we could start looking for places for you.”
“Thank you,” he says, so sincerely it melts me. “Can we go up, though? I love them,” he whispers, motioning to my Dad and his parents. “But they’ve been a lot all day.”
“You got it.” I smile up at him, then grab his hand and start pulling him to the stairs. “Good night!” I shout, and don’t give them another second to steal from us.
I throw myself on my bed and sit cross-legged, then I open a basic browser and start searching for realtor pages online.
“This is interesting,” I murmur.
