Chapter Seventeen
ALEX
After a long day at the gallery, Nate and I decide to hit up Finlay’s for a drink and a late dinner.
The place is a comforting mix of casual charm and celebrity discretion, with its tucked-away booths and low lighting.
Over burgers and fries, Nate picks at his food, staring off into the middle distance, clearly lost in thought.
“Are you actually going to eat, or is this your attempt at dieting?” I tease, popping a fry into my mouth.
Nate snorts, shaking his head. “Not hungry, that’s all. Long day.”
I study him for a moment, debating whether to press. “You know, not eating won’t magically fix things with you and Ria.”
He looks up, raising an eyebrow. “You giving me life advice now, Alex?”
“Somebody has to,” I reply with a smirk, stealing a fry from his plate. “Besides, I’ve been told I’m good at bossing people around. Consider it a service.”
Nate huffs a quiet laugh, finally taking a bite of his burger. “Fine. Happy?”
“Ecstatic.” I raise my glass in mock celebration, and for a moment, the tension in his shoulders eases.
As we finish eating, Nate’s phone buzzes. He glances at it, his expression shifting slightly. “Matt’s with Danger and Lunar. They’re heading here.”
I pause mid-sip of my drink, suddenly nervous. Meeting more members of the Recoil family feels like stepping into another world. “Danger and Lunar?” I ask.
“They’re… unique,” Nate says with a faint smirk. “You’ll see.”
When we come here, Nate and I always take the same booth—a semi-private nook in the back of the bar, shielded from prying eyes. It’s perfect for low-key conversations, especially with Dwayne and Scott standing watch like inconspicuous shadows. Tonight, their presence feels even more reassuring.
Just as I start to relax, three figures explode into the booth like a chaotic whirlwind. One of them slides in next to me, and I glance up to find Matt grinning down at me, his boyish charm on full display. I smirk, my laugh bubbling out as the trio settles into place.
Matt’s smile deepens as the guy sitting next to Nate catches my attention.
He’s the kind of man you can’t ignore—sexy in that effortlessly dangerous way, his arms and neck a canvas of intricate tattoos.
He bumps fists with Nate in an easy, familiar greeting, his demeanor relaxed despite their dramatic entrance.
Before I can process the scene, a woman slides onto the tattooed guy’s lap like she belongs there, and honestly?
She does. She’s stunning, with bold, curvaceous confidence and hair dyed in a mesmerizing gradient from faded pink to sunny yellow.
She’s magnetic, the kind of person who makes you want to know her story.
He doesn’t hesitate to wrap his hands around her upper thighs, holding her there like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I blink, my eyes widening slightly at the unabashed display of affection, but no one else in the room seems fazed. Clearly, this is just how they are. Realizing I’m the only one reacting, I quickly shrug it off, letting the moment pass. If they’re comfortable, then who am I to judge?
“Hey!” Matt says, leaning closer to me. “Danger, Lunar, this is Alex… curator extraordinaire, awesome friend, and lover of Mexican food.”
I chuckle, giving a small wave. “Hi. Nice to meet you guys.”
Lunar sits up taller, and he groans like her weight shifting hurts him. “Girl, your hair is freaking bonza. Gotta love a woman who knows how to dye.”
Smiling, I grin and nod. “Thanks, I love yours, too.”
“Oh, don’t start.” Danger groans. “I didn’t come all this way to talk fucking hair. Give me booze and food… or sex. Yeah, gimme sex,” Danger says, and Lunar rolls her eyes.
“Urgh, like you don’t get enough of all of that. Let me have some girl talk, you fiend.”
Matt chuckles as Nate sighs, taking another sip of his beer like this is their typical banter.
I like these two already.
They’re my kind of people.
“Fine, but I wanna tie you up later,” Danger says, making me burst into laughter as Lunar grins wildly.
“Please stop talking…” Matt groans, and Nate does the best exaggerated eye roll I’ve ever seen.
“Are you guys always like this?” I ask.
Nate and Matt nod.
“Meh, mostly,” Lunar states.
Danger kisses her neck sweetly in contrast to his previously sexual overtones.
I glance at Matt as he waggles his brows up and down, and he reaches for my stout, taking a large gulp. I purse my lips in fake annoyance, but he chuckles, licking the foam from his top lip, and shrugs, completely taking my beer for himself.
“So, Alex, you’re basically running the lives of Nate and Matt now, right?” Lunar asks, and I tilt my head, looking from one twin to the other, and nod.
“Well, definitely Nate, but I guess Matt a little too. Yeah,” I reply.
“Well, good. Someone needs to sort these dicks out. We need another tough-ass chick in our gang, and I think you suit the bill perfectly. You’re officially Recoil material, Alex. You’re a part of us now. You gotta look after these twins when we can’t, okay?” Lunar demands.
“I got your back, Lunar. I’ll take care of them, don’t you worry.”
“You do realize we’re right here, don’t you?” Nate asks.
Lunar and I both giggle. “Yes, mopey Mandy, I do. I mean, I’m not Zaria’s biggest fan, we all know that, but you’re one sad, sorry sack of shit without her. But I’m sure Alex here can cheer you up. She’s all right by me,” Lunar chimes.
I sit up taller, and Matt reaches over, placing his hand on my knee, giving it a little squeeze.
“Thanks, Lunar, you’re pretty freaking awesome yourself.”
“What is this… some sort of fucking mutual admiration society?” Danger mocks.
Lunar jumps on his lap, making him groan in discomfort. “Shut up, prick. Oh. My. God. Alex, you have to come to the wedding!” she calls out.
I open my eyes wide and gasp. I hardly know her, and Danger even less so, but I feel a kind of kindred spirit to her, and I am happy to be a part of the Recoil family. I guess if I plan to be around for a long time, I may as well firmly plant myself in the fabric of their foundations.
“Babe, you can’t invite everyone to our fucking wedding,” Danger scalds, and Lunar scoffs, rolling her eyes.
“I’m not inviting everyone! And Alex is a part of us now. She’s a part of my girl squad—”
“Your fucking what?”
“My girl squad. My team. You just don’t get women at all, Danger. But we digress. Alex, come to the wedding. You will, won’t you?” Lunar begs, smiling so wide, drawing her bottom lip in by her teeth, and looking hopeful.
I glance at Matt, who’s trying to hide his smirk as Nate looks lost in his own world, so I nod and chuckle. “Of course, girl squad code and all. I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Lunar,” I reply and wonder what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.
Lunar claps her hands together vivaciously while Matt bumps into my shoulder and chuckles.
“See? She’s perfect,” Lunar beams, turning to Danger. “Admit it.”
“Whatever,” Danger mutters, though his faint smile suggests he’s not entirely annoyed.
Matt bumps his shoulder against mine again, his voice low. “Told you they’d love you.”
And as his gaze meets mine, something sparks—a flicker of unspoken connection that leaves my breath hitching.
Maybe, just maybe, I’ve found my place here.