Page 162 of Alphas Like Us

Maximoff reaches me, and I rotate to face him so his gaze lifts to mine. And he tells me, “You broke one of your onlyrules.”

My rule: neverget ink that relates to aboyfriend.

My only exception stands in front of me. Either he hasn’t figured that out yet or he’s stillcomingmentally to the fact. “Take it easy, wolf scout,” I say. “It’s not like I tattooed your name on myass.”

He makes a face. “You sure youhaven’t?”

I chew my gum even slower. “Damn, he wants to see myass.”

He groans, annoyed that I fucked with hishumor.

I laugh hard, and his hand instinctively finds my hand. He doesn’t realize he’s given in that easily, and he almost pulls back. I holdtighter.

And I’m here for this. I’m not stuck in a hospital. I’m not meeting up with him later just to meet-up with his dad. Fuck, I treasure these moments so completely, but the unknown definitely lies ahead of us. I’d rather not crash and burn, but recently, crashing seems to be the name of some game I’mplaying.

* * *

“Where doyou see yourself in twenty years?” That’s the first thing his overprotective dad says to me at this casual burger joint—and we haven’t ordered food yet. I’m actually in the process of taking a seat next to Maximoff, scraping the chairback.

“We just got here,” Maximoff cuts in with aglare.

“Huh, I had no idea.” Lo drills his sharp-edged eyes onto me. “Where do you see yourself in twentyyears?”

Maximoff shoots me an apologeticlook.

To be honest, I’m slightly intimidated. Mostly because I’d love to leave good impressions on them—better than I have in the past—but I can’t be anyone other thanme.

Connor Cobalt, Ryke Meadows, and Loren Hale have already claimed the other side of the wooden table. Three larger-than-life men. Each one had a profound impact on Maximoff, and it’s always clear to me when I speak to them just how great their influence was and still is to thisday.

Hell, I see them as different sides of myboyfriend:

Connor is mental. He taught Maximoff intelligence, emotional restraint andconfidence.

Lo is emotional, the sarcastic, loving and empathetic pieces ofhim.

And then Ryke is physical, all determination and stubbornness and unshakeablestrength.

I lower down in my seat. “Honestly, I’m not much of aplanner.”

Maximoff almost smiles.He likes that answer.And he extends his arm over myshoulders.

“No life plans?” Connor arches abrow.

The heat of their gazes is hotter than any camera. I tilt my head. “If bylife plans, you meangoals, then sure. You can’t be a doctor without setting some,” I saycasually.

“Are you always this vague?” Connor asksme.

“Good question, love,” Lo says and motions for me toanswer.

Maximoff mouths something to Ryke, and that prompts Ryke to throw a wadded napkin at Connor, who easily leans back and dodges theaffront.

“Excuse the Rottweiler,” Connor tells me. “Continue.”

Ryke rolls his eyes and buries his attention in a menu. He mouths,sorry, Mof. I’m a little bit surprised that Ryke Meadows isn’t going hard on me like the othertwo.

Then again, I helped his daughter in the car crash. And I’m not a bodyguard anymore, and that was his biggest qualm with me datingMaximoff.

“Am I always this vague?” I repeat their question, one that I’ve never met this directly. “With anyone who isn’t in my bed, yeah. I tend to be lessforthcoming.”