Two weeks since my entire life shattered in front of me—everyone finding out about Aiden and me, Zack betraying us, finding out I was adopted—it had been too much, and the urge to cry still felt overwhelming.
Somehow I was grieving who I was while still being me.
Rook had helped, already giving Aiden and me constant glares and comments about Aiden going for his sister, who was off-limits.
It’s like nothing had changed for Rook, and I knew I had to follow his lead. Whoever my biological parents were didn’t matter. My parents—my real parents—had died protecting me, and I refused to betray them by questioning whether I was ever really their daughter.
But that didn’t stop the wild thoughts from clawing at me, trying to convince me I wasn’t really theirs.
I kicked the stand down and hung my helmet on the handlebar, walking into the garage.
The smell of motor oil and leather hit me as soon as I stepped inside the garage, the familiar scent settling something restless inside me. Laughter echoed, and I could see the entire group gathered around the couch outside my office window before a shadow moved in my periphery.
Aiden.
I knew it was him before I even turned. The heat at my back, the way my skin prickled in awareness, the unspoken pull that had always existed between us.
Then his hands were on me.
One second, I was walking in—the next, I was off the ground, lifted effortlessly as Aiden’s arms locked around my waist. I let out a breathless noise of surprise, but before I could get an actual word out, his mouth was on mine.
The kiss was rough, deep, claiming. He tasted like mint and salt, and like he hadn’t stopped thinking about me since I left. When he bit my bottom lip before dragging his tongue over it, my fingers threaded into his hair, gripping tight.
Someone groaned loudly. “For fuck’s sake, man.”
I barely heard who said it because Aiden kissed me harder, like he wanted them all to know exactly what was his, but I could already guess who it was.
“Are they done yet?” Mason muttered, sounding personally victimized.
Harper sighed. “Doubt it. He’s been pacing around waiting all morning for her to get back.”
Aiden grinned against my lips. “Suddenly, they can’t handle a little PDA, but they are all happy to take part in it themselves.”
Rook made a noise of pure disgust. “A little?”
I pulled back enough to smile at him. I wouldn’t tell him, butI still appreciated the way he stayed consistent in being my older brother.
“Aren’t you used to it by now?” I asked.
“My sister and best friend together?” His scowl deepened and he settled deeper into the couch, pulling Regan closer to him. “Trust me, Evie, I never will be used to it.”
I laughed, breathless, my body still pressed tight against Aiden’s as he slowly set me back on my feet.
And I didn’t miss the way his fingers lingered at my waist, like he wasn’t ready to let go yet.
Hero leaned back, pulling a doughnut from the box next to him. Harper reached out, trying to grab one for herself, but Hero leaned forward to block her.
“Back, you little demon,” Hero said, pulling the doughnut just out of her reach. “I’m not sharing.”
Harper leaned in, grinning. “Don’t you meanJinx? You better be careful or you might choke on that next bite.”
He paused, the doughnut an inch away from his face before his hand dropped. “You did not just curse me into choking and dying on this next bite.”
“I did,” she said, leaning in and grabbing a bite of the doughnut in his hand for herself. “And now I saved your life. You’re welcome.”
Aiden pulled me in, pulling my attention away from the group and back onto him.
“How was your ride?” he asked.
