Page 102 of Third and Ten

“Ethan, wait,” I call.

“Yes, ma’am?”

I take a few steps over and place my hand on his arm. “Look, I know we’ve talked about it before, but you’d tell me if I ever made you feel uncomfortable—you know, with JD—right?”

He snorts. “Is that a trick question? Everyone in the room is probably laughing at him right now. I don’t even have to turn around to know that he’s staring at you.”

I look away, feeling my face heat up. “Might I remind you that you knew he was this cheesy before you practically begged me to give him a chance?”

“Yeah, that’s on me.”

We both laugh softly. “I mean it, though, Ethan. You’ve got enough going on. The last thing I want is to make things harder for you.”

“I know,” he replies. “And I’m still happy you got together. I’ve just been worried about some other stuff, like what would happen if you broke up.”

“Oh, well, that’s understandable.” I’m surprised he’s willing to admit what’s been bothering him, but it’s likely because JD already talked things through with him last night. Then it registers that I may not be able to do this parenting stuff without JD. I probably need him more than I’ve been willing to admit, and Ethan must realize that, too.

“I can’t say for sure what’s going to happen with JD and me, but I will always put you first, Ethan. You know that, right?”

He nods. “I do.”

“Good, because I love you, kid,” I add, giving his arm a light squeeze. “Now, go—eat your waffles before they get cold.”

“Love you too, Aunt Ten.” He rewards me with a wide smile before wandering off to sit with Caidence and some friends.

I look around for an empty table so that I can finally eat my own breakfast, purposefully sitting a few seats behind JD so I’m not tempted to stare at him the whole time. However, I find myself meeting his brother’s gaze as soon as I glance up. Blake smirks at me over his plate of eggs and bacon, and I imagine the knowing look he’s giving me is a result of the room-key stunt I pulled in front of him yesterday and the assumptions he’s made about last night.

What if JD told him that I was so…easy?

He wouldn’t, right?

Before I can finish that thought, JD rises from his seat across from Blake, turns to wink at me as he slides his chair back under the table, and saunters off. I think I’m finally safe, until Blake struts over and plops down into the chair across from me.

What is it with these Bourgeois men and their walking? Ugh.

“Um, hi?”

“Hey,” he replies, as if it isn’t weird that he’s invited himself to join me. “Look, I don’t want to make a scene, but I need a favor.”

“Okay.” I eye him suspiciously.

“Tenley, my brother is literally the best person in the world. And you should know that this isn’t just a casual fling for him. He really likes you, and he’s probably holding back because he doesn’t want to scare you away. So I just want to make sure that you’re somewhat on the same page. I don’t want to see him get hurt.”

I chew on my lip, digesting everything Blake is saying. “And you think I might hurt him?”

He shrugs. “I hope you won’t. But I’d rather not see him get any more invested with you and Ethan than he already is if you’re only interested in messing around while you’re here.”

“You know for a fact that I don’t have any room in my life for messing around. In fact, that’s exactly why it took me a while to even consider dating JD,” I say defensively.

He stares at me for a second before replying, one corner of his mouth turning up slightly. “That’s what I figured. I just wanted to make sure that you understood his…intentions.”

“Okay.”

“And to warn you that he might come on a little strong.”

“Oh.” I swallow hard. “Does he do this often?”

“Fall for someone and go all in right away, you mean?”

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