Page 80 of My Broken Mate
“Is it morning already?” I ask, not even deeming it worth my time to pay attention to his ‘mouth-fucking’ comment.
“Yep,” he nods. “The club is closing soon, and I am hungry.”
“Me, too,” Fiona says, popping up behind him.
“Me three,” a third, unknown voice says.
I turn around to look at KiZ. She has changed into comfortable clothes now, only her piercings and tattoos giving her rock-chick personality away.
“Thank you for inviting us backstage!” I exclaim. “And you absolutely need to join us. Ayden and I just know the best coffee shop. It opens up early.”
I make sure to introduce everyone to her before eyeing her curiously. “You are friends with Evander, right?”
“Yes, we met a while ago. I think he was on the run or something, and I was young and stupid. He saved my ass back then.” She laughs, sticking out her tongue and showing off her tongue piercing like that. “And he did it with this laidback attitude and his sleepy face. Great guy, though.”
When was Eve on the run? That must have been around the time Joel challenged our uncle. Shortly before that, he made sure Eve and I were safe and not around the pack. Seems like Eve wasn’t all alone during that time, which makes me happy.
“I am Kiara Zoe, by the way,” she says.
“So that’s where the name KiZ comes from?” Ayden comments. “Makes sense.”
Fi claps her hands. “Let’s go, everyone.”
I noticed that once again, Remy has stayed quiet during the whole exchange. It’s more and more evident to me that this is hisusual strategy when meeting someone new or being in a crowd of people he doesn’t know well.
Fortunately, no one comments on it, though. With Ayden leading the way, we make it to our private car with the two warriors still patiently waiting for us and have them drive us to the coffee place. KiZ is a fun person to be around, light-hearted and just genuinely nice. She stays for half an hour or so and has a cup of coffee with us. We all exchange contacts with her before she has to leave and head to her studio.
“And another friend you made,” Ayden comments.
“We,” I correct him. “We made another friend.”
“Oh, come on,” Ayden grins. “We all know your family consists of a bunch of lovable weirdos. You three just attract everyone. It’s impossible not to like you.”
Remy’s lips tug slightly, and he shows me a smile. Seems like he agrees with Ayden. Then, however, I feel him stiffen slightly.
“Is something wrong?” I ask promptly.
He doesn’t need to answer, because Fi does. Her head perks up, and she eyes the counter and the cashier. “Oh, isn’t that your brother?” she exclaims.
I turn around slightly, my gaze falling onto Gabriel. He is dressed in a business suit, his briefcase in his hand, looking like the serious businessman I know he is. He has spotted us, as well, because once he has his coffee-to-go in his hand, he comes over to our table.
“Good morning,” he greets us politely before turning to Remy. “You are here,” he says. “I didn’t expect you.”
I can see it so clearly now, the change in Remy’s whole stance. It’s subtle, but now that I know how he can be, how he was the whole evening when we were alone, I can’t unsee it anymore. It’s like the shutters around him are being lowered again, making him close off completely. Instead of the warmth his eyes exuded before, they are just guarded all of a sudden. Gabriel keepsasking us questions, and I am not sure where he is going with them. It sounds like an interrogation, but technically, it could also be genuine curiosity. I don’t know the guy well enough to tell.Where have we been, who have we met, how long were we out, have we been careful, did we drink…
Remy keeps answering Gabriel’s questions but doesn’t waste more words than necessary. He doesn’t say much at all, his tone flat. Not impolite, but not warm either. I realize he also was like that when he met Joel for the first time, and during the whole gala.
“How about Remy and I go and get something to eat,” I offer, not able to listen to the whole conversation any longer and to see Remy as tense as he is.
“Great idea,” Ayden says instantly. He must have sensed the tension, too. “I want pancakes,” he says. “Fi?”
“French toast!”
“You two clearly have a sweet tooth,” I chuckle.
“Make sure to eat something healthy, too,” Gabriel says earnestly.
I wouldn’t be Kata if I didn’t play along, so I just nod and smile. “I will order some orange juice for everyone.” With that, I grab Remy’s arm and tug him along, not giving his brother the chance to intervene or stop us, yet careful enough not to give his brother any weird ideas about our relationship.
