Page 87 of The Saviors: Part One

“Yeah. What about it?”

“Nothing. I just didn’t peg you for the fucking a guy type.”

I pause mid-stir of the eggs and turn around. “I didn’t peg you for the judgemental type either, but here we are.”

“I’m not judging, Axel.”

“Sure as fuck sounds like it to me.” I start stirring the eggs again, harder than necessary. “Why are you even here?”

Ari sighs. “You need to check your phone.”

“What the fuck for?”

“Because there’s a message on there that you might want to see.”

“It’s upstairs.” The barstool scoots back, and I whip around. “I’ll get it. Nolan is naked, and you have no business going up there.”

Ari’s eyes widen. “I wasn’t going to play peepshow with your boyfriend, man.”

“He’s not my…” I pause and frown. Is he my boyfriend? What the fuck? “Whatever. I’ll get it in a minute.”

By the time Nolan comes downstairs, I have breakfast waiting. He sits at the island and won’t even look me in the eyes.Fuck that.I slide onto the stool beside him and run my hand down his thigh, causing his eyes to jerk to mine. “What did I say?”

Nolan jerks a nod, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. I eat and then run upstairs to get my phone. When I see the message, I almost trip coming down the fucking stairs.

Unknown number: Hey, it’s Chelsea. I’m having a cookout at the house. I don’t like that I might be the reason you guys are fighting, so I’m issuing an invitation for you and Nolan to come. No bullshit. Just food. PS. I stole your number from Sean.I quickly save her number, my heart hammering in my chest.

Axel: You aren’t the reason. But we’ll be there. What time?

Chelsea: Any time. They’re getting everything set up and messing around in the pool. I’m cool with whenever.

Axel: Okay. See you soon.

Chelsea: No bullshit, Axel. No fighting, no arguing, no talks of the past.

Axel: I get it.

I don’t take her extending the olive branch lightly, and if Ari’s here, that means he knows about the message. I walk back into the kitchen, and Nolan is glaring at a laughing Ari.

“You’re an asshole, Pops.”

“Tell me something I don’t know. All I asked is was it good?”

“Fuck off, Ari,” I bark. “He doesn’t have to answer that.” Ari’s just trying to get a rise out of him, and I’m not going to let him embarrass him about it.

“No. I’ll answer. It was damn good. You’re just jealous because it wasn’t you.”

I bust out laughing at the look on Ari’s face. “Good one, Naughty boy.”

“Did I walk into the goddamn twilight zone? Where is asshole, growly Axel? The one who ran everyone off?” Ari asks.

“He’s trying to make it better,” I answer. “And quit fucking with Nolan.”

“I think he can handle himself,” Ari chuckles, then looks at me. “Are you going to fix this mess?”

I nod. “Yeah. I told her we would come over.”

“Who?” Nolan asks.