Page 41 of Something So Strong

“You weren’t kidding when you said you wanted to knock yourself out.” Kai leans both forearms on the table and towards Romeo sitting opposite him. “You know you still have to work tomorrow.”

Romeo copies his position. “Not till eleven.”

“Who’s saying you won’t get a last-minute, nine am booking?” Kai counters.

“You…” Romeo pauses and collects himself. “Look, I’m not about abusing friendships, but I could do with the favor. I need to shake this jet lag once and for all.”

Kai slumps his chin into his right hand. “Mawww. Are we friends?”

“Fuck off,” Romeo pouts with less animosity than the first words he shared with Kai, then heads off to the bar.

“He likes ya. I promise.”

“He hopes,” Saxon injects. “Romi is usually Prince Charming to everyone, so I’m not sure what’s got his knickers in a twist over you.”

“Perhaps he sees me as competition? He’s not the only one with a silver tongue.”

“You sure do think quite highly of yourself.”

“I sweet talked you, didn’t I?”

Saxon dips his head to the side and raises his pint. “That’s cause grilling Jess, is the way to my heart.”

“And what’s the way to Romeo’s?”

“Loyalty?” Saxon shrugs. “He’s pretty much nice to everyone unless he thinks one of us is threatened. But… I don’t think you’re the kind of threat he’s usually worried about.”

I choke on my beer. “What the fuck does that mean?”

Kai and Saxon share a knowing look. The kind where people have had a prior conversation and are reconfirming their suspicions.

“Check out his face.” Saxon points at me with his thumb.

Kai pinches my cheek. “Isn’t it adorable?”

“That’s one way of putting it,” Romeo adds, returning to the conversation like he never left.

Kai looks at the half-full glass, and I notice a tension in his arms that I’ve not seen before. “Can you, ah. Maybe get that with a mixer next time?” he asks Romeo.

“Hah?” Romeo stares back at him with a look that says, you’re not my mother.

“I’m responsible for you tonight, and—”

“I can take care of myself.”

“That’s your third drink.”

“Second,” Romeo corrects.

“You ordered two and had one at the bar.”

In awe, I look from Kai to Romeo. He’s not happy, but when his eyes meet mine, he drops the scowl. “Fine. But your boyfriend needs to mind his own business.”

This is the most out of control I’ve sensed Kai since meeting him. I know he’s trying to conceal it, but his eyes are everywhere. Assessing everything like something could jump out from under the table at any minute and drag him away.

Saxon may be a royal pain in my ass, but there are times when he comes in handy. “Just sit your ass down and behave yourself. We’re both bigger than they are, so try to have a little compassion.” The words are barely out of his mouth before he’s laughing at them. But it cuts the tension enough for Kai to relax back into his chair.

“Are you okay?” I ask once Romeo and Saxon’s rambling increases in volume enough for them not to hear me.

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