Page 306 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11
“I knew it first!” Mr. Nigel yelled. “Master Tanner predicted it when Young Jacob was only four years old. When he taught him that hoes are before bros.”
“What are hoes?” asked Max.
“Nothing,” Aunt Brooklyn said. “Don’t repeat that word.” She gave Mr. Nigel a hard stare. “Nigel.”
“What?” he said. “It worked out perfectly. He put his hoe before his bro.” He gestured toward me and Jacob.
I knew my face had to be bright red.
“Hoes before bros,” Max said and lifted his hand for a high five.
Mr. Nigel high fived him.
“No,” Uncle Matt said. “Don’t high five over that.”
“But what does it mean?” Max asked.
“I think it’s time for a movie and cupcakes,” Aunt Brooklyn said.
“Cupcakes before hoes?” Alora said.
I burst out laughing.
Uncle Matt groaned. “No. Alora...just...no.”
“Oh,” she said. “Hoes before cupcakes?”
“Sweetie, come help me put icing on them,” Aunt Brooklyn said.
“Hoes?”
“No, the cupcakes, sweetie.”
“Hoes before icing,” Alora said as she followed Aunt Brooklyn.
Jacob laughed. “Mr. Nigel, what are you doing?”
“I know that phones aren’t allowed at the table, but I’m texting Master Tanner the good news!” He frowned at his phone. “Huh.”
“What?” Jacob asked.
“Master Tanner already knew. He found out on Saturday apparently. With Young Robert. Why did no one tell me?” Mr. Nigel stuck out his lower lip.
Oh crap.My eyes grew round.
“I only just asked her to be my girlfriend tonight,” Jacob said.
“What were you doing with Rob and Tanner on Saturday night?” Uncle Matt said at the same time.
I knew Uncle Rob and Mr. Tanner had specifically not asked Uncle Matt for help with the secret lair. And I agreed with their reasoning. I wasn’t allowed in Jacob’s bedroom with the door closed anymore. I didn’t think Uncle Matt would be thrilled with the easy access to my house.
I cleared my throat. “I just happened to run into them after the party on Saturday night. When I was wearing Jacob’s varsity jacket.” Which I guess did just mean we were boyfriend and girlfriend. Like they’d said. Because Jacob hadn’t asked me to be his girlfriend in so many words. He’d asked me to wear his jacket.
Like Axel had asked me to wear his jacket.
I shook the thought away. Axel definitely had not asked me to be his girlfriend. He just didn’t want anyone on his team to flirt with me. I took a deep breath.
“Uncle Rob and Mr. Tanner just leapt to the conclusion,” I quickly added. “I didn’t tell them you were my boyfriend. Because you hadn’t technically asked me. I...”
