Noah just grinned. Christ, he was falling fast for that face. That happy expression, and those eyes that seemed to see clear through him.
They scanned the menu and settled on a large pizza with half all-meat for Nix, the other half ham, tomato, and basil for Noah. Once the waitress had taken their order and gone, they talked about little things, just enjoying each other’s company. Nix told him that this was his day off in the rotation, so unless there was a serious emergency, he was totally free.
“Thanks for spending it with me,” Noah said quietly. His eyes shone.
“Hey, I’ll spend as much time with you as I can. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Promise.”
“Same here.”
The pizza finally arrived and they dug in. Nix was amazed at how his mate could pack away the food. By the time they sat back in their seats, groaning, the whole pie was gone.
“You were right,” Noah said. “That was delicious. We’ll definitely be back.”
“For sure. Though we might have to wait a day or two.” He patted his bulging stomach.
Nix paid the bill, to his mate’s protests.
“I earn a wage, too. I can pay my half.”
“We’re a team, okay? Let’s don’t make it about money. We can take turns or something if you want.”
“Well, I guess that works.” His mate still wanted to pout a little, and Nix thought that was adorable.
Not that he’d ever say so.
They left, walking slowly down the street to do some browsing of the quaint shops along the way: candles, souvenirs, clothes, crafts, and a shop that sold both homemade ice cream and candies. Noah headed straight inside the last one, proving he had a hollow stomach after all.
Noah insisted on buying the cones, and Nix gave in. Armed with their treats, they strolled back the way they’d come. Noah was walking close to him. So close Nix could smell his sweet scent, and wanted to roll in it. With his free hand, heart pounding in dread and excitement, he took Noah’s fingers in his, twining them together.
His head swam. It was like being sixteen all over again, except this time he really was with someone he cared about. Someone meant to be his. The feeling was heady, and he never wanted it to end.
But end it did, when he spotted a tall, dark-haired figure coming up the sidewalk toward them.
“Oh my God.” Nix froze, his half-eaten cone tumbling from his hand to splat on the concrete.
“What’s wrong? Nix?” His mate glanced from him to the man who was now standing before them, and he edged closer to Nix.
“Lucius,” Nix said coldly. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
He hadn’t let go of Noah’s hand. His father’s dark gaze drank him in from head to toe, expression surprisingly . . . regretful? No, that couldn’t be right. The tough, tattooed man in front of him was mean as a snake, and had never cared about anyone but himself.
“I knew you were alive. I came looking for you.”
“I guessed that much. Now that you’ve found me, say what you came for, and get gone.” Nix blew out a breath. “Scratch that. Just go.”
“I’ve been looking for you because I want to make amends. I found God, started going to church. I wanted to tell you how wrong I was—”
Nix gave a bitter laugh. “Are you kidding? You made my life hell after Mom left us. Nothing I ever did was good enough. And then you threatened to torture and murder my partner if you ever caught me with a man. Well, guess what? You come near him, ever, and you’ll be the one in little pieces? You got that?”
“Yeah, son. I get it,” Lucius replied sadly. “I deserve that after what I put you through.”
“I am not your son, Lucius. I stopped being your kid a long time ago. You can go to hell.”
With that, Nix dragged his mate to the SUV and quickly shoved him inside. He barely registered Noah’s snarl of protest, or that he’d lost his ice cream as well. The only thing that mattered was getting them both the fuck away from his father.
Putting the SUV in reverse, he squealed out of the parking space, narrowly missing a car behind him. He threw on his brakes to let it go around him, then threw the vehicle in drive and raced away.
“Nix, slow down!” His mate’s eyes were wide and he was gripping the oh-shit handle as if his life depended on it.
“Sorry.” He slowed his speed and glanced in the rearview mirror. His father’s retreating figure was hunched just before it disappeared around a corner down the street.
“I think he meant what he said.” Noah’s voice was quiet.
“Is that a new ability you’ve developed or something?” he snapped. “Reading people’s minds?”
“No,” his mate replied, looking hurt. “I just don’t have the history with him you do. I’m not as biased. He seemed sincere, that’s all.”
“If he was, that would be a first.”
His father had never possessed a nice bone in his body. Found God? Not likely. And yet, people could change, and did every day.
Not this man. Not Lucius.
“I’m sorry I ruined our afternoon,” he told Noah.