Cocky Notes - Leesa Bow Page 0,19

your break?” Chance pats the seat beside him. “Steele here can move his ass over for you.”

I’ve never sat with customers in my break and hesitate, believing it inappropriate. It’s Chance, and so his bubbly, easy-going personality wins me over. I’m also keen to meet his friends. “Sure, why not.”

After serving the last table, I remove my black apron and grab a coffee for myself. I slide in beside Chance, mid-conversation across the table with Zane. He’s sitting between Adele and Kristin.

“C’mon, Chance, I’ll never hit on your sister because I know you’ll be watching me like a bloody hawk.”

Adele glares at Chance.

Chance folds his arms. “So, you never wanted to get with her?”

“Stop it,” Adele says, getting in his face.

Shit. A protective big brother.

“Hey, I don’t mind, I want to know where I stand with my mate here.”

“This is weird. We’ve been mates for years even though we’ve barely seen each other. Won’t change anything. But yeah, I wanted to hit on your sister because look at her… she’s stunning.”

Adele smiles at Zane.

“See that look right there,” Chance interrupts the longing look Adele is giving Zane. “She’s obsessed over you for years.”

Adele groans. “You’re out of control.”

“And we all know your rep, mate. I can’t help looking out for my sis.”

I sip my coffee and want to reach for the popcorn.

“My rep?” Zane runs his fingers through his dark hair. “What about yours? How are we different?”

“You’re not,” Kristin interjects. She plays with her blonde pony, stroking it as though it magically will calm her friends. “You both are hot guys, and it’s natural for girls to be attracted to you. But both of you… get around.” She raises her eyebrows. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know how else to put it. I love you both, but I also understand why Chance wants to protect his sister.”

“I haven’t done anything wrong.” Zane crosses his arms.

“Yet,” Kristin says as though she knows a secret.

Adele smiles and shoots another glare to her brother as though to hush him. “It’s my decision whether I get with someone. Not yours.”

“You’re breaking the mate code,” Chance tells him.

“I’m breaking it,” Adele tells Chance. “I’m the one who has texted Zane since I was fourteen. He was there when I got stuck with math problems.”

Zane shrugs. “Math is my thing. Its why I’m studying engineering.”

“And it wasn’t your thing,” Adele tells Chance. “Football took you away from me. And I couldn’t party with you and your friends,” she says a little louder as though she remembers it clearly.

The table isn’t drawing attention, but I want to tell them they can order alcohol because it is now lunchtime, anything to calm them. Maybe I’ll suggest one of Dominic’s desserts. Either way, I can’t drag my focus away from watching how siblings and friends interact. Georgia and I have never exchanged heated words.

“You’re the reason nothing has happened,” Zane pipes up while he’s staring at Chance. “I’ve always liked Adele. Kept it to myself because I didn’t want you to act like this. Camping with both of you was fun, especially the times your dad asked me to come along for boys-only weekends. My father didn’t have time for us. He was too busy with work. And your dad seemed to know something about everything.”

The table fell silent.

Then I remembered Chance mentioning his father is having tests.

I bump him with my shoulder. “Everything okay?”

He nods.

“I overreacted, I’m sorry,” Chance says. “To both of you. I suppose if Adele is to get with a guy, I hope it’s someone like you.”

“Get with a guy,” she repeats. “I’m not a virgin. And I’ve had guys before.”

Zane and Chance both turn rigid.

“Please pass the lunch and wine menu, Kristin,” I say, leaning across Chance. “I think it’s time you all order something. And for the record… I know it’s none of my business, and I don’t understand what’s going on here as I’m an only child… as far as I know.” Adele giggles. “But if you were my big brother, I wouldn’t like you interfering with my sex life even though I’d want you to have my back if I needed it.”

Chance’s eyes round.

“We make our own mistakes.”

His phone buzzes in his pocket, and I’m thankful for the distraction.

Adele mouths, “Thank you,” to me from across the table.

“I’m not the only one who has protective issues,” Chance says, grinning at the screen of his phone. “My man, Reef, asked when I was dropping by. And why I’m sitting next to