Lucas looked shocked that I’d volunteered that piece of information. As a rule I didn’t talk about Dad, but hell, I was trying.
“I didn’t know him but from what I’ve heard he was a pretty great guy so I’m sure he understands.”
“I think I want to go tomorrow. Will you come with me?”
“Of course, I will,” he said, flashing that gorgeous smile at me. I stretched up and kissed him, making him smirk.
“Thanks. Ready to go to the pub?”
“Yeah, come on.”
The pub we were going to was my favourite. Inside were the original red brick walls with a huge open fireplace. Tables and chairs were dotted around; there was an area with a large TV on the wall and three big brown leather sofas. The bar was carved out of light oak. There were two other rooms, one was the dining room and the other one had two pool tables. It was cute and relaxing.
“Tegan,” Gino yelled in his sexy Italian accent. “Vieni qui, bella.” Translated: come here, beautiful. Gino and his husband, Robbie, owned the pub. Rounding the bar, he opened his arms and locked me in a bear hug. “I haven’t seen you for ages. Mi sei mancato.”
“I missed you, too, Gino. Where’s Robbie?” I’d picked up a little Italian from a couple holidays and Gino pretty much forcing me to learn.
“Getting changed, his last outfit was awful, apparently.”
Robbie was perfectly groomed at all times, gorgeous and so white-blonde he made me look dark. Gino was the exact opposite with his olive skin, dark brown eyes and equally dark brown hair.
“Right, okay then,” I said and he laughed.
“So, who are these gorgeous men, bella?”
“Gino, this is Jake and Carl.” I pointed to them and he shook their hands. “And this is Lucas.” I put my hand on Luke’s chest. He wrapped one hand round my waist and shook Gino’s hand with the other.
“Hey,” Lucas said.
“Where are Kai, Holly, Sophie and the one that gets uncomfortable when I look at his arse.”
Ah, James. Yes, he did get uncomfortable when Gino stared but it was funny. Adam also got uncomfortable but I’d seen less and less of him recently. He was constantly busy. “Kai was going out on his bike and then playing poker with James. I’m not sure what Holly and Sophie are doing.”
Robbie appeared at the bar wearing dark blue denim jeans, a black belt, a crisp black and white shirt and black shoes. “Hey, Tegan,” he said, giving me a crushing hug, too. “What can I get you since it looks like Gino hasn’t bothered asking.”
Rolling his eyes, Gino walked off to serve another customer.
We ordered drinks and sat down at a table with a good view of the TV. I chose the table closest to the window so me and Luke could sit on the bench but it still gave a good view of the screen.
“So, you’re on hugging terms with the owners?” Lucas asked.
“I went out a lot.”
Before he could say anything, I kissed him, not particularly wanting to get into what I was like not so long ago. I knew Luke had let it go when his tongue swept my bottom lip. It was also the time that Carl and Jake cleared their throats.
I pulled back, face flushed and sipped on the drink that’d appeared in front of me while I was kissing Lucas. Not one to get embarrassed easily, Luke glared at his dad and brother.
I decided after about ten minutes that I didn’t like men when they were moody because their team was losing so I went to sit with Gino. He leant across the bar and poured two shots of Limoncello.
Lucas went outside to get his phone out of his car and came back in five minutes later looking ready to kill. I’d never seen him so angry. Hopping off the stool, I made my way to him.
“Everything okay?”
“No,” he said through gritted teeth. “I just met your amazing friend. Kai’s a real dick, Tegan.”
“Where is he? What happened?”
“Was here. Outside with another guy.”
James?
My heart was beating a little too fast and not in a good way. “What happened?”
“Apparently, you’ll be back in his bed before long.”
I frowned. “What? Kai said that?”
“Yeah, and then his mate shoved him back in the car.”
What was he doing here and what the hell was that?
Lucas took a deep breath and brushed my hair behind my ear. “Let’s just forget the arsehole, okay?”
I didn’t want to forget him. Something was going on. Kai had never shown any jealously before. We were friends and had agreed that. I felt a cold sinking feeling in my chest. I needed him as a friend but I couldn’t have that if he wanted more.
“Was he drunk?”
Lucas snorted. “Sure looked it. Nice catch, by the way.”
“Hey!” I snapped.
“Sorry. Seriously, let’s forget him.”
Nodding, I followed Luke back to the table. Something wasn’t quite right with what he just told me. Kai didn’t know I was with Lucas yet and I didn’t believe he would’ve just said something like that unprovoked. I was going to find out, though.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Tegan