Do I want to go with my friends to ride the bumper boats? Sure. We used to do that kind of stuff all the time, but do I want to be on edge and anxious all evening? Not even a little bit.
I had such a good-ass day. I deserved a good day and won’t allow anyone to ruin it this time. So maybe we pass on the outing?
I search Noah’s face.
What do I do?
Noah gives a slight jerk of his chin, reminding me we’re not the only ones standing here, and I need to move my ass.
Right, right.
I take a step inside, past a stunned silent Brady and Cam as they shift backward, making room for us to enter. Reaching back, I grab hold of Noah’s T-shirt, and drag him with me.
“Hey, guys,” I absently wave toward the others, without so much as glancing in their direction.
“Hey, man,” Noah says behind me, and I can only assume he’s talking to my brother when he says, “Harper,” in greeting next.
“Long time no see,” Mason jokes, and an easy chuckle slips from Noah.
They’re quiet after that, and I have no doubt the bags hanging from Noah’s hands are being inspected as we slip into the kitchen.
I quickly spin, facing him.
“Do you want to go ride the bumper boats?” I whisper, the second we’re as far away as the space allows.
He moves in closer, using his body to shield me from the others. “Do you want me to go with you?” When I frown, he continues, “Just because I was here when they asked you to go, doesn’t mean you have to invite me.” His blue eyes hold mine.
I glare. “You already know the answer, you just want to hear it.”
I swear he wants to smirk right now, his hand skimming mine as he starts pulling the containers from the bags. “Maybe, but had to be sure.”
“So you’ll go?”
“I’ll go.”
Satisfied, my shoulders ease, and I move to pull the freezer open, pushing shit around to fit the first few items inside. When Noah steps around me with more, I move away, and the moment my eyes lift, they lock onto Chase’s.
He frowns, looks to all the containers on the counter, and back. He pushes to his feet, as if to come closer, and my muscles clench. He doesn’t miss it, and the creases along his forehead double. He stays where he stands.
My brother leans against the back of the couch, his arms folded over his chest, legs crossed. His face is blank as he takes everything in. The food, Noah, me… Chase.
Mason’s brown eyes lift to mine, his head tilting the smallest bit.
I don’t look away.
“No study group today?” he asks.
“No.”
“Do some cookin’？”
“Yep.”
“You cookin’ for me, Ari Baby?” Brady walks up, reaching toward the bags, but I dash forward, blocking him with a brow raised.
“Not happening, big guy.”
Brady makes me laugh when he pokes his bottom lip out.
“Don’t feel bad, half of these I won’t even be sharing with Cam this time.”
“Hey!” she whines, leaning over the countertop to look at all my goodies. “But those soup bowl things were so good!”
“I know, and if you liked that, you’d devour what he made for me today. Way too good to share.” I turn to her with a smile.
“Wait.” She turns to Noah. “You guys made those?” She pushes containers around, trying to figure out what’s inside, her smile wide. “I’ve been meaning to ask where they were coming from, but we’ve been missing each other at home the last couple weeks, and when we are here together, we’re too busy eating ‘em for me to care. I thought you signed up for one of those meal things all those Instagram models try to sell.”
Noah and I look to each other with a laugh.
“You don’t know how to cook,” Chase interrupts, his tone flat.
My throat grows thick, but before I have a chance to respond, Noah does, and with a tone far more friendly.”
“She can cook fine.” Noah’s words fan along my hair.
He’s slipped closer.
We both know that’s not exactly true, that I’m better as the test dummy, but that’s not the point right now, and I could kiss Noah for having my back without pause.
“Yeah?” Chase keeps pushing. “Since when?”
Undeserved guilt washes over me, but it quickly shifts to annoyance.
Who the hell does he think he is? He isn’t being conversational or friendly. He’s being an ass and he knows it.
I look him in the eye. “Since now. He’s teaching me.”