Page 28 of Boss and Brat

Ethan didn’t know what to do with that. No adult in his life had ever offered that kind of privacy.

They reached a small Mexican restaurant on the edge of the next town—bright yellow walls, string lights across the patio, the smell of grilled meat drifting out the door. Inside, the booths were cracked vinyl, the tables mismatched, the salsa too spicy. Ethan loved it immediately.

They ordered enchiladas and chips. Carter didn’t talk much, but he listened—really listened—whenever Ethan said anything.Ethan kept catching himself watching Carter’s hands, the way his fingers curled around his glass, the way he leaned in when Ethan spoke.

He didn’t understand why his chest tightened every time Carter looked at him. Didn’t understand why he wanted Carter to keep looking.

Halfway through the meal, Carter nudged his hand. “You’re quiet tonight.”

Ethan shrugged. “Just… figuring stuff out.”

Carter nodded, eyes steady. “You don’t have to figure it out alone.”

Ethan’s breath caught. He didn’t know what Carter meant. He wasn’t sure Carter knew either. But the offer sat between them, warm and confusing and too big to name.

He looked down at his plate, heart thudding. He told himself it was nothing. He didn’t believe it.

“I know. It’s just that I don’t know if a man like you would understand me and my lifestyle.”

“A man like me? Explain.”

“If I had to rate you from one to ten on how manly, you’d rate ten, the tops. Most masculine man on the planet.”

“Really.” Carter grinned. “Why do you think that?”

“Everything about you shouts alpha male. You look it, walk it, and talk it.”

“That’s odd coming from you to look at me in those terms. I don’t see men on a spectrum. You’re who you say you are.”

“Who are you, then?”

“Why does that question feel too personal? What are you actually asking me?”

“Do you date men or women?” Ethan realized his question slipped out without a filter. Damn, he hated when he just asked shit that was none of his business.

“Woo! You want to know this? Why?” He looked directly at Ethan, expression unreadable.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s normal to ask when you’re my age and live in the city. I forgot for a minute who I was talking to and where I’m at.”

“So, my age separates me?”

“It does. You’re old school.”

“I see. How about I ask you this? Do you date men or women?”

“I don’t trust you enough to tell you, and anyway, I’m sure that file on me tells you everything about me.”

“It would tell me if your father knew.”

“I don’t know what he knows about me. He probably knows less than he thinks, or I’d be dead by now.”

“If you ever feel threatened by him or anyone, come to me and I’ll protect you.”

“Why would you protect me from your boss?”

“You’re under my watch, and I take that seriously. I want the best outcome for you.”

After dinner, Carter dropped him off at the barn.