Page 14 of Fallen Flame

Ever turned fully toward him. “Are you worried about seeing my parents?”

“No.”

“Yes, you are,” Adley said from the table.

Jude looked toward her. “I’m not.”

Alice tilted her head. “Honey, you’ve known Ever’s parents since you were a child. Her father has probably seen you covered in mud, bleeding, and doing something you weren’t supposed to be doing more times than any of us could count.”

Fox laughed from the couch. “He caught us trying to jump bikes off the drainage ditch behind their house.”

Ever’s eyes widened. “You did what?”

“We were ten,” Jude said.

“Eleven,” Fox corrected.

“That doesn’t make it better.”

“It worked,” Fox insisted.

“Jude landed in a bush,” Thorn added.

Jude turned toward the couch. “Whose side are you on?”

“Mine.”

Adley smiled into her coffee. “So why are you nervous now?”

Jude looked down at Ever, and for the first time since the conversation started, his expression softened. “Because it’s different now.”

Ever’s teasing smile faded. “Different how?”

He hesitated just long enough for the room to quiet.

It was subtle, but I noticed it. Everyone did. The Fallen Lords weren’t usually a quiet group, but they knew when to shut up.

Jude reached down and took Ever’s hand, threading his fingers through hers. “Last time I saw them, I was just Jude.”

Ever squeezed his hand. “You’re still Jude.”

“Yeah, but now I’m the guy dating their daughter.”

Lark pressed one hand dramatically to her chest. “Oh, that is disgustingly cute.”

Jude ignored her.

Ever’s mouth curved into a soft smile. “My parents love you.”

“They loved me when I wasn’t sleeping with you.”

A beat of silence passed, then Mom choked on her coffee.

Alice covered her mouth, but it didn’t hide her laugh. Adley leaned forward with her forehead against her hand, and Fox made a sound like he was trying not to lose it.

Ever stared up at Jude. “I think you should say you’re dating me, not sleeping with me when my parents are around, yeah?”

“We’re doing both.”