Chapter Twenty-Nine
Addison
“What the fuck is brunch?” Atlas asks as he reclines his big body back in one of the rickety wooden chairs at the dining room table. The long-sleeve shirt he’s wearing stretches over his chest, but it’s an improvement from the Sweet Haven t-shirt that’s two sizes too small for him.
“It’s in between breakfast and lunch,” Connor supplies across from him as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. Which it is. “And there’s often drinking involved.”
Alana beams proudly beside her fiancé, trailing a hand over his clothed bicep. She’s wearing a green sweatshirt that makes her eyes pop, and the cutest pair of light-washed bell-bottoms I’ve ever seen.
Loxley groans, looking like death warmed over in her cute blue sweater and jeans. “No drinks for me. I’m still feeling sick.”
Thalia is seated at the head of the table like she owns this house, her black combat boots kicked up on the table’s top as she rocks back in her chair.
The black fishnets climbing up her legs look killer with the black skirt and the form-fitting long sleeve she's wearing. “Oh, come on, Easy Bake! What’s brunch without some mimosas?”
Rowan is propped against the island, scowling with his arms crossed over his chest as he observes our guests with annoyance. “I never agreed to hosting this.”
“Stop calling me that,” Loxley fusses at Thalia before shoving the assassin’s boots off the table and nearly toppling her back in her chair.
The dark-haired woman cackles as she bats Loxley’s hands away from her. “Rowan is going to kick us out if we don’t all work together on this. It’s us against him.”
My boyfriend humphs, stewing away as Thalia rallies everyone to chant against him. Before too long, there are fists banging on the table as a chorus of ‘brunch’ fills the kitchen.
“Okay!” Rowan shouts, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You fucking win. I’ll make brunch.”
Cheers ring out around the dining room as everyone gets to work preparing.
I was surprised to see my new friends arrive with their arms loaded down with groceries and the bright idea to share a meal together.
Rowan was expecting an impromptu visit, but he definitely wasn’t expecting to cook for everyone as Connor offered him a pack of bacon with a smile.
My boyfriend snatches it with a grumble. “You’re all worse than children.”
“You know you love us!” Atlas says with a smirk as he jostles his brother’s shoulders with affection, though it seems a little rough coming from the burly man.
Rowan hardly budges as he rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
He’s being very aloof and dismissive of his siblings, but I know that deep down, he really does love them with everything in him.
I can see it in the way he didn’t put up much of a fight over hosting breakfast, and the safety precautions he lectures them on when he gets a new hit report.
He cares far more than he lets on, and it makes me smile as I cuddle up beside him.
“Thank you for doing this,” I lift a hand to his cheek before he turns into my touch and places a gentle kiss on my palm.
“Anything for you, Sunshine.” He grins. “They may annoy me, but I’ve missed this…”
There’s a somber note in his tone that I pick up on in an instant. Rowan is often a loner. He works quietly, and his atmosphere is always tranquil. But deep down, I feel like he’s yearned for this without even realizing.
And I think I have too…
The continuous moving and feeling like I don’t belong anywhere has been a constant in my life. I think I was just waiting for the right place.
Everything is moving so quickly, and I’m falling too fast to catch myself. But that’s okay, because I think Rowan would catch me with open arms. Getting to know him is a gift, and he may not believe it, but he’s a good man. For his blood family and the one he found.
“How does everyone feel about French Toast?” Rowan asks as he pulls a stove-top griddle out of a cabinet. He lays it across the burners before Alana piles everything next to him.
“Pancakes are better,” Connor supplies as he grabs a bottle of champagne and orange juice.
“Too bad,” Rowan smirks. “Addison likes French Toast.”
My head whips around to him, and my eyes narrow on his secretive grin. “How do you know that?”
He shrugs. “I know everything about my girl.”
There are a few love-sick groans around the kitchen as I wrap my arm around his bicep. I lean close to him before whispering, “Stalker.”
He nips at my lips with a love bite. “Your stalker, Sunshine.”
“Get a room!” Thalia shouts, making laughter rise from the others.
“We do have a room. You all interrupted our morning.” Rowan grumbles, but I see the small grin on his face.
Loxley saddles up beside me, tugging on my arm. “Can I talk to you?” She whispers.
I nod, excusing myself as I drag her to the living room and away from eavesdroppers. “What’s up?”
She instantly goes into worry mode, reflecting my mother’s usual aura as she places her hands on my biceps. “Are you safe? Did you talk to Rowan about moving in with Atlas and me?”
I snort. “Yup. He shot it down.”
She frowns. “And you let him?”
“I’m honestly okay.” I try to soothe her anxiety as I take her hands in mine. “I’ve always been a little reckless. Maybe this is something I don’t mind being reckless about?”
Her expression gentles as she sighs. “It’s all moving so fast…”
“Coming from the woman with a forged marriage certificate and a massive rock on her finger,” I smirk.
She gives me a withering look. “Atlas and I are different. We knew each other growing up—”
“You knew each other for a year when you were teenagers, Lox. People change. Atlas could have been a totally different person. Which he is, but you didn’t let that stand in your way. Maybe I want a chance at my happily ever after, too?” I shrug.
Her shoulders fall as her features soften. “Oh, Addie, I wasn’t meaning anything by that. I just want you to be safe. If Rowan makes you happy, then I’m overjoyed for you. You know I’m just looking out for you.”
“I know,” I smile before wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. “Thank you for being here for me.”
She rubs a hand over my back. “Of course. And if this doesn’t work out, you always have a room at my house.”
I pull my lower lip between my teeth, still embracing my friend as my voice comes out in a soft whisper. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I think I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
Loxley goes still before pulling me back and holding me at arm’s length. “Where you’re supposed to be?”
I nod.
She blinks. “Are you in love with him?”
Oh, that’s the million-dollar question. I still think it’s too early to call this love, but I know that’s where I’m headed. My heart skips a beat at the sound of his voice, and I feel like I’m floating. Maybe I am crazy with how quickly I’m hurtling, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
“Maybe,” a fond expression tugs at my face. “It’s still early, but I’ve never had a relationship flow so…easily.”
Lox lifts a brow as she pulls away and places her hands on her hips. “Drugging you, kidnapping you, and locking you away is your idea of easy?”
I wince, my lips pulling over my teeth exaggeratedly. “Okay, our start was rocky, but I’ve never met anyone who gets me. I feel like Rowan understands me more than any of my past relationships have. It’s different with him…”
She softens, sighing as if a weight's been lifted. “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
I wrap an arm around her shoulders as we walk back into the kitchen. “You really are the best friend a girl could ever ask for.”
She winks at me before her stupid, big husband scoops her up. Atlas is all smiles as he crushes Lox to his chest.
“It’s good to have you here, Addison.” He says genuinely. “It’ll be nice to have you as a part of our fucked up little family.”
“Thanks, dick head,” I smirk, remembering the talk I promised myself I wanted to have with this fool. “Don’t hurt my girl. I was here before you.”
He chuckles as he holds a hand up in surrender. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Thalia rolls her eyes as she pops a hip against the kitchen’s island. “Is anyone going to help me mix these mimosas?”
“Come on,” I grab her shoulders before steering her to the table. We make a pitcher of the mixture, and I have to refrain from throttling the assassin as she attempts to pour the whole bottle of champagne into it.
The smell of breakfast fills the house, and nostalgia touches me for the first time in a long time. A life I once cherished resurfaced, and I feel my dad in this home as my new friends and I all gather around the table.
Connor and Rowan set out plates of bacon, French Toast, and a savory casserole dish to top it all off.
“This looks amazing,” Alana praises as she eyes the food hungrily. “You’ve done it again, Row Row.”
My boyfriend gives her a warning look as he takes his seat at the head of the table.
“That nickname is reserved for one person.” His eyes find mine before he pats the chair beside him, and I walk around the table to take my designated seat.
As I ease onto the chair, he pulls it closer to him, and our knees bump.
“Dig in,” Rowan waves at the others, but his eyes never leave mine as chatter fills the dining room. Everyone around us is busy eating and conversing, but Rowan and I are stuck in our own world.
“We still haven’t done my cooking lesson,” I grin as I prop my chin in my hand.
He hums. “We have plenty of time, Sunshine. I enjoy cooking for you.”
My chest warms as a blush spreads across my cheeks. He really has this whole caregiver mentality that makes me melt. No man has ever done half of what Rowan does for me, and to him, this is the bare minimum. He likes doing things for me, and it does strange things to my wildly pattering heart.
A knock echoes from the front door, and everyone seems to stop what they’re doing as the guys glance at each other.
“Was anyone else invited?” Rowan asks, his guard shooting up as his tone hardens into something fierce.