Fallen Crest Forever (Fallen Crest Series Book 7)(63)

We saluted, then sipped.

Malinda had already ordered appetizers, which were now placed down the middle of the table. Once they were done, the servers came around for our individual orders.

Matteo leaned across the table from his seat next to Grace, with Courtney by her. “Hey, what was up with you and Bio Dad?”

Sam put her water down with a little extra force, like it slipped and she caught it in time. “Do you have to call him that too?”

“What’s his name?”

“Garrett. Call him Garrett.”

Matteo thought about it, then shrugged. “Bio Dad seems more appropriate, but okay.” He turned back to me. “So? You and—” He glanced at Sam. “—Garrett. What’s up with that?”

“Nothing. Just small talk.”

Matteo snorted. “Right, because that’s what you Kades are known for. Small talk.”

Nate leaned over the table and asked in a mock whisper, “What’s going on?”

My eyes met Sam’s. I knew we were thinking the same thing. Then I looked at Logan and saw the suspicion there. He knew something was going on too, so I shrugged.

“We ran into a friend of yours out there,” I told Nate.

He had been reaching for a roll, but he dropped it. “What?” He cursed under his breath, grabbing the roll before it hit his water.

“Someone recent. Like, last night and this morning recent.”

Logan started laughing. He was keeping it quiet, but he was still laughing. “Is he talking about a chick or a dude? If it’s a dude, I’m all for that, but give me a heads-up. I am your husband, remember?” He winked at Nate.

Nate scowled. “Shut it.” He cursed again under his breath. “You ran into her?” He shot Sam a look. “And thanks for telling.”

She shrugged. “Sorry.” She didn’t sound it.

I hid a grin, rubbing a hand over her back. “Back off her. I would’ve figured it out anyway. The girl wasn’t real smooth.”

“I liked her.”

Logan frowned at Sam, then me. “Who is she? I want to meet her now.”

A third curse from Nate. “This isn’t funny, you guys. We’re at a family meal. It’s not the place to talk about my sexual escapades.”

“Mmmm?” That perked Malinda’s ears. She straightened in her chair. “What’s going on? Nate has sexual escapades?”

Logan smothered more laughter.

I started to open my mouth, but Nate shot me a dark look. “Mason.”

I heard the warning and held a hand up. “We’re just joking. We didn’t even talk to her. Sam just said you knew her, that’s all.” I pointed to Logan. “He told me about the one-nighter.”

Nate stiffened, turning to Logan. “Are you kidding? That happened just last night.”

Logan frowned. “Why are you getting all uppity about some chick? Unless—”

Nate’s eyes flashed.

Logan dipped his head in a small nod and cleared his throat. He looked my way. “So, Matteo.”

“Oh no.” Matteo stopped eating a fancy-looking pizza roll. “Don’t start, you guys. Please.” He gestured to his plate full of appetizers. “I just want to eat. That’s all.”

Logan ignored him. “Have you asked Grace out yet?”

Grace squeaked at the mention of her name, and her face reddened. She looked around, saw she was the center of attention, and squeaked again. “Oooh boy,” she breathed.

Matteo shook his head and pointed at Logan. “No. You’re not going to do this. You’re deflecting. I won’t let you do that. Deflect elsewhere, buddy.”

Logan’s eyes darkened. He and Matteo were friends, but he didn’t like getting orders from anyone except Sam or me.

He narrowed his eyes. “I was? Really? I think I’m more curious now than ever. I think you’re the one deflecting. Hey, Grace.”

She stiffened, but looked at him with caution.

“Logan, don’t.” Matteo’s warning was low.

An evil gleam started in my brother’s eyes, and his lips curved. “Has he asked you out yet? Or maybe you guys already went out? Did he underperfor—”

“Watch it, Logan.”

I couldn’t see Sam’s eyes, but her tone was a warning too.

“Don’t be disrespectful to my friends.”

Logan stopped, seemed to realize what he’d been about to do, and closed his mouth. He leaned back. “Maybe we should adopt a new policy where we dine with enemies? I’m in the mood for a target right now.”

Sam pointed over her shoulder toward the rest of the restaurant. “Faith Shaw is out there. Have at it.”

Logan didn’t stand up, but I could tell he was considering it. His eyes met mine. Sam had stopped us from proceeding before against Shaw, and if he went after her now just to release some of his anger, it could backfire.