Page 25 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“We came a little early,” Avery said. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Totally fine,” I lied. “Come on in. Uh, there’s actually an old friend here who wants to see you.”

Avery stiffened, and I kicked myself. She probably thought I was talking about Farrah, that I hadn’t kept my word. Thankfully, Trent stepped around the door and grinned at her.

“Hey, Avery. Long time no see,” he said.

Her eyes went wide, a smile spreading across her lips at the sight of him. He’d been away doing some sort of special forces/black ops shit when all the bad stuff between us happened, so the only memories she had of Trent were good ones.

“Trenton?” She gasped in delight. “I haven’t seen you in, what, seventeen years?”

“Eighteen, but who’s counting?”

She stepped in and gave Trent a quick hug. I waved Ashton inside.

“Come on in, buddy,” I said, putting my hand out. “I’m Cole Garrett.”

“Hey,” he mumbled, giving my hand a firm shake. “Ashton Carlisle. You can, uh, you can call me Ash if you want.”

Unable to help myself, a goofy grin spread across my lips. “Ash. Okay, then. I hope you guys are hungry.”

“Starving,” Avery said.

“Trent was getting ready to put the steaks on the grill,” I said. “I invited him over for dinner. I thought it might, uh—” I glanced between Ashton and Avery “—make it a little less awkward with someone else here for conversation.”

“That’s great,” Avery said, though her smile seemed a bit forced. “We can all get to know each other again.”

“You guys can have a seat in the living room if you want while me and my trusty assistant here finish dinner,” I said. “There’s a ball game on the TV to watch if you want.”

Ashton’s eyes lit up a bit. “Basketball?”

“Yeah, actually,” I said. “Do you like basketball?”

He grinned. “I do. I play. Well, I used to. Back home. I mean, our old home, I guess.” The grin faded as fast as it had appeared, and he looked away from me.

He had his guard up. I would be the same way in his position. He’d been uprooted from wherever they’d lived before, leaving behind friends and a school, and now he was meeting his father for the first time. Who wouldn’thave their guard up?

“I’ll go season the steaks and throw them on the grill,” Trent said, walking to the kitchen counter.

I pointed out the salad bowl and the mounds of bacon for the baked potatoes. “Potatoes are already in the oven, should be ready any minute. How’s it look?”

Avery nodded and gave me a vague smile. “Looks great.”

“You guys have a seat, and I’ll start sautéing the shrimp,” I said. “I got those special to add a little something to the meal.”

“Shrimp?” Avery and Ashton said in unison. They both looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

Trent froze, a salt shaker in his hand over the steaks.

“Yeah,” I said. “I thought it would be nice to have some more protein.” I swallowed. “For the growing boy. You know?” I nodded toward Ashton, suddenly worried by the tone in Avery’s voice.

“Cole, Ashton has a shellfish allergy. He can’t have that.”

“Uh, I’m gonna get the steaks on the grill,” Trent said, and scurried away with the plate of raw steaks.

Shit.

“Avery, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” I said, feeling like I was sinking in quicksand. “I’m an idiot. I should have asked if there were any allergies to worry about. I’m sorry.”

---