Exposed King (Boys of Brisley 2)

Chapter Forty-One:

Dinner With a Side of Panic

Ollie

I grilled Mia on the way to Sterling’s about what her and my dad had talked about, but she wouldn’t spill. It was driving me nuts even though I trusted them both — but I could tell something was different with her. It was unclear whether it was a good different or a bad different just yet, but it seemed like there was a secret being kept from me.

I hated secrets.

Zeppelin had cooked for us and we were a little late, so initial introductions were short this time. Rio was doing a pee dance all the way up the sidewalk and Mia was too, which made one hell of an impression ... and made me grin like an asshole.

“Well, that’s them,” I laughed, watching Sterling stare after them like he’d missed something. “Gonna marry her, Sterling. Mark my words.”

“You’ve said.” He locked up behind me as I swept his wife up into a bear hug, then slapped the back of my head as I lifted her off her feet. “Unless you want me doing that to yours, put her down.”

I snorted quietly and whispered, “I see he’s still jealous,” in Zeppelin’s ear before setting her down. “How’ve you been, Led?”

“More awesome than a possum. She’s even hotter in person!” she whisper-yelled, which didn’t help me stuff down the giggles rising up at all.

It was entirely unmanly.

“Isn’t she? I’m fucking obsessed. Did I ever tell you her nickname for me is ‘Balls?’”

“Balls!” That time she yelled, then laughed so hard Carl came back into the room after following Rio. “Yep, she can stay. Her hair is so damn shiny, dude. I’m actually jealous. Sterling, no more than three seconds of eye contact.”

She slapped his shoulder playfully and I piled on, grateful as fuck to have someone to help me tag-team him now.

“To be fair, she calls me Huevos, but yeah.” I turned to pick Rio up and held him on my hip, realizing belatedly that he was a little too big for that. “Little Hombre, this is Zeppelin, and mi hermano, Sterling. And I see you’ve met Carl, their dog.”

Sterling shook Rio’s hand with the most genuine smile I’d seen on his face since his wedding day. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too. Your house smells good.”

Zeppelin about died at how cute he was and pulled out a sucker. “Here, bud. I stole this from Uncle Sterling’s secret stash.”

All of us knew that snack stash was hers, but no one said a word as Rio beamed and held it to his chest. “Thank you!”

I set him back down and sent him to wash up as Mia finally came back out, but she looked exhausted. “Baby? You okay?”

“Yes, of course. Sorry about that.” She greeted them both with a smile on but I could tell she wasn’t feeling well again. “Your home is absolutely beautiful.”

Rio tugged on her hand and showed her the sucker, then jumped up in excitement when she said he could have it — but my attention was completely on her. “Sterling, you got any beer? Whiskey, maybe? Can you grab me something?”

He nodded and ducked out as Zeppelin went to the kitchen to finish dinner and Rio followed her, which was exactly the chain reaction I’d hoped for.

“Mia? Please talk to me. Do you need to go to a doctor or something?”

“What? Why?” Her eyes darted around nervously as the smell of her toothpaste reached my nose. “I’m okay, baby.”

I didn’t understand why she was lying, but I also didn’t want to force her to tell me. “Okay. I just ... I love you, Mia. I’m not stressing you out with this dinner, am I?”

“No.” I saw her deflate before my eyes as she reached up to hold my face. “Ollie—”

“Mamá! The dog jumped on the counter!” Rio yelled, doubling over and laughing as Zeppelin struggled hard in the kitchen to censor herself.

“Just ... just hang in there with me, Mia. Whatever this is, we’ll fix it. It’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.” I kissed her quickly before pulling her into the kitchen with my heart hammering in my chest. I was too close now for something stupid to ruin this, so whatever was bothering her would have to step aside. “Food ready yet?”

“Yup! I didn’t want her to hate me when I butchered something Hispanic, so we’re having a casserole.”