Page 65 of Don't Say You're Sorry

I hand Easton his coffee. Just as I’m about to sit on the stool next to him, he wraps his free arm around my waist and pulls me into him, his eyes moving up and down my body. I’m wearing a pair of gray joggers and one of his Hawthorne Hawks T-shirts I found in a pile of clean laundry. I didn’t get to do my laundry this weekend, too preoccupied with worrying about where he was for two days.

“You’re up early again,” he says quietly.

I nod. Unlike my brother, I’mnota morning person, but I like to see Easton before he leaves for the day. I like knowingwhat mood he’s in. It’s a good one today, and it makes me smile softly.

My fingers twitch with the urge to brush them over his face, his lips, but I don’t touch him without permission. His fingers creep up under the shirt I’m wearing, brushing my hip, then my waistband. I shiver, moving even closer until I’m standing between his legs. My dick hardens beneath his hand, and he notices, licking his lips before his eyes travel over to Axel beside us. I take a small step away when I realize Axel’s watching us with a pointed look. Easton clenches his jaw, his hand slipping off my body.

“Are you sure you want me here?” Axel asks Easton just as Carter walks into the kitchen, followed by Nate, Xavi, and Frankie. Carter’s eyes are on Axel, but Axel’s looking at Easton expectantly, waiting for an answer to his question.

Easton smirks. “I’m sure. Your misery pleases me.”

Axel lets out a single, quiet laugh. “You’re confusing misery with disinterest.”

“Whatever you say, pretty boy.”

“I thought I was your pretty boy,” Carter jokes, coming around Easton and running his hand through his hair, all the while staring at Axel as if he’s jealous. Which, in turn, makes me jealous. Why does Carter care what Easton calls Axel?

Not caring what anyone will think of me, I grab Carter’s wrist and move it away from my guy, once again standing between his legs. Carter raises a brow at me. I flip him off. Easton can’t help but laugh as he drops his forehead to my chest. He inhales deeply through his nose, his arm around me tightening briefly before he gestures for me to sit. I drop next to him, thankful for the island hiding my tented joggers from the others.

With breakfast ready, Axel walks toward us with a plate. When Easton reaches for it, Axel smacks his hand and leansover, setting it down in front of Frankie with a grin. “There you go, beautiful.”

She reciprocates, picking up her fork and digging in. “I like you,” she says around a mouthful of food. “Mm. Ireallylike you. You’re a chef, right?”

“Oh, so youwerelistening to me last night.”

She chuckles. “I’m a great multitasker.”

“Yeah, I bet you are,” he murmurs, still grinning.

I scrunch my nose. I don’t know why he’s pretending to be so interested in Frankie when I can tell he’s not. They didn’t hook up last night. Axel went to bed alone, and Frankie took Zoey upstairs shortly afterward. I haven’t seen Zoey since, so she must have left after. I don’t think she sleeps over. Judging by what Xavi’s told me, no onesleeps over. Ever.

Axel hands out the rest of the plates, making a point to save Easton’s for last.

“Nice apron,” Carter says to Axel, raising a brow. “Can I be first in line or are you saving that spot for Frankie?”

Seemingly used to Cater’s shit already, Axel ignores him as he hangs his apron up. Carter looks annoyed, his eyes dropping to Axel’s bare chest. When Carter catches me looking at him, his creepy smile returns, and he winks at me. He’s so fucking weird.

Carter clicks his tongue as Axel puts on a T-shirt and takes the last empty seat next to him. “Straight boy,” Carter mutters under his breath.

Axel doesn’t look at him as he begins eating his breakfast, but I don’t miss the tiny smirk on his face. I frown at him and Carter.

Xavi’s frowning at them too. He flickers his gaze between them for a few moments, and then his jaw drops as if something just occurred to him.

“Axel,” he says.

Axel lifts his eyes to look at him. Nate leans forward in his seat to look across at Axel.

“Hey, big mouth,” Carter says to Xavi, lifting his finger up to his lips.

Xavi snorts. “Says the big mouth.”

“You would know,” Carter teases, a wicked look on his face as he chews. “Remember when I fucked you and I?—”

My eyes widen as Nate grabs the scruff of Carter’s hoodie, yanking him back until his stool tips and he hits the floor with a crash.

Silence follows for a couple beats. Next to me, Easton’s shoulders shake with a silent laugh.

Axel finally looks down at Carter then. It’s a passing glance. He’s still eating his breakfast as if nothing happened. “Endgame,” he says, nodding to himself. “Got it.”

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