Page 15 of Lovers Like Us

MAXIMOFF HALE

By now,you know that the security team is both strangely elusive to me and close like family. Thanks to Farrow, I see glimpses of how security works and how they actually perceive us: the Hales, Cobalts, andMeadows.

Since I’m a celebrity and a client, I probably would’ve excused myself and let them work out whatever they need to alone. But they’re now aware that I’m Farrow’s boyfriend, and these aren’t just hiscoworkers.

They’re the closest guys in his life.His friends.And if he’s all-in on my world, I think I should be all-in onhis.

So I’mstaying.

I approach Thatcher Moretti. “When’d you get here?” Iask.

In my peripheral, Farrow nears Donnelly on the couch and lightly kicks his ankle, both speaking under their breaths. Donnelly gestures with his head at me. So they’re talking aboutme.

If only I had bionichearing.

Thatcher stands, five inches taller than me. “I drove in about four hoursago.”

We shake hands. I’m sure to most people a six-foot-seven, unshaven Italian-American man with a perpetually stern gaze would beintimidating.

For me, he’s not evenclose.

Thatcher used to protect my little brother, and talking to him in the past, the topics never diverged from security. He’s as professional as they come and also the biggest thorn in Farrow’sside.

Now he’s a secondary bodyguard to Jane and unofficial chaperone to me and Farrow. A small price to pay to keep Farrow as my 24/7 bodyguard. If the public finds out that I’m dating a bodyguard, it could cause all of SFO to become famous byassociation.

That can’t happen, and Thatcher said he’d ensure itdoesn’t.

“Thanks for voting to keep Farrow as my bodyguard,” I tell Thatcher. “It meant alot.”

He nods. “I was voting for what you’d want. Personal grievances aside, I’m here for you and yourfamily.”

It reminds me that he wasn’t the only vote. “Where’sAkara?”

“Out for a run with Sulli.” Thatcher twists a knob on his radio. “Last night, Akara and I agreed we’re going to share the lead position in Omega. If you need to inform security about anything, it’s still Akara, Price, and me you shouldcontact.”

The Tri-Force is still intactthen.

I bet it’s all the same to Farrow since he’s not a rule-followeranyway.

“Hey, Moffy—” Donnelly is cut off by Farrow’s hand over hismouth.

“Excuse Donnelly,” Farrow says to me, really at ease. He sits on the armrest of the couch. And his bowl of eggs skillfully balances on his thigh. “He has an undiagnosed condition calledverbo-emesis.”

My browsfurrow.

Oscar swigs a Lightning Bolt! and translates, “Wordvomit.”

Huh.

I have no clue what “Hey, Moffy” was about to morph into, but with the surface of my childhood nickname, I’munfortunatelymore aware of my age difference between all of them andme.

“Security should only call me Maximoff,” I state here andnow.

Farrow lowers his hand from Donnelly’s mouth, and some of the bodyguards exchange furtive glances. And Farrow tries to restrain an amused laugh, but as he looks to me, his eyes almost caress mine inaffection.

Alright, I must’ve sounded like adick.

Or a conceiteddick.