Page 45 of Lovers Like Us

“Is Maximoff your firstrelationship?”

“No.”

Maximoff extends his hand. “Beckett, let’s not go here,alright?”

Beckett turns on him. “Have you asked Farrow why his other relationships ended? Did he break up with them or was it the other way around? How many guys has he been in lovewith—”

“Man,” I cut him off, “no offense, but I’m not in a relationship with you. If Maximoff wants these answers, I’ll tell him, but I’m not holding a publicforum.”

Beckett skims the length of me for the fifth time now. “Why not? You have something tohide?”

“Stop, Beck,” Maximoffwarns.

Sulli wavers uneasily, dislikingconfrontation.

“I’m just looking out for you, Moffy,” Beckett says while zeroing in on me. As though I’m prey, but it’d take more than this kid’s skepticism to arch my back and reach for a figurativegun.

I lift my brows and chew my gum casually. He stares harder. My nonchalance is grating onhim.

“I appreciate the concern,” Maximoff says, “but I’mhighlycapable of dealing with my relationship on my own.” His voice is firm and unyielding. Allalpha.

My smile stretches, roped in for a second, but as I turn, I realize quickly that Beckett mistakes my reaction for arrogance. Like I’m toting a win over his head and smirking,Maximoff took my side, notyours.

Not thecase.

Not thetruth.

“I don’t play under the table,” Beckett says to me, “so I’m putting this out in the open.” He mimics me, raising his brows. “I don’t trustyou—”

“You don’t trust me because you don’t knowme—”

“Whatever the case,” Beckettsays.

And I spot Akara in my peripheral, lingering. He whispers to Sulli, and she nods before slippingout.

Beckett continues, “If you betray my cousin, all seven Cobalts will destroy you far worse than you could ever hurthim.”

“Fair enough,” I say, more so acknowledging Akara who motions me out of the bathroom. As I leave into the first lounge, Maximoff shuts the door and starts talking privately withBeckett.

Most of SFO are spread out on the gray couches, eavesdropping. Oscar stands and whispers to me, “They haven’t dealt with siblings or cousins in serious relationships. You’re thefirst.”

“I realize that.” I comb a hand through my bleached hair. “You know Kinney Hale would’ve stabbed you in the eye for calling her ex-girlfriend notserious.”

Oscar motions from his chest to mine. “You and I know puppy love isn’t serious. What is she,nine?”

“Thirteen.” I run my hand over my jawline. “She’ll ‘revoke’ your membership to that Rainbow Brigade shit if you’re notcareful.”

Oscar almost laughs, and he reties a rolled bandana around his forehead. “It’s not real until she makespins.”

“Tell her that.” I glance at Akara who finishes chatting with someone on a bunk. He motions me further down the hall and into the secondlounge.

Before I follow, Oscar lowers his voice another octave. “Seriously though, I know Maximoff is one of the hottest celebrities, and I can imagine what the sex islike—”

“No you can’t,” I sayeasily.

His mouth parts. “Now I’m gonna needdetails.”

I let out a short laugh and glance at Akara, who’s waiting. “Oscar—”