Page 121 of Revenge Puck

My brother rolls his eyes and folds his arms across his broad chest defensively, bracing for an argument. “How much do you know about him?”

“Enough.”

“Like what?”

Like…Aaron is quiet and reserved, but observant and giving when he wants to be. When no one is watching is when he’s at his best.

I lift my chin. “I know he’s your friend. I know he works hard. I know he’s not whatever villain you’re trying to paint him as.”

Declan’s jaw ticks. “I’m not painting him as anything.”

“You’re interrogating me again.”

“I’m asking questions.”

“It feels like a cross-examination.”

He exhales sharply through his nose, gaze narrowing. “You barely know him.”

“Why do you suddenly care? I don’t judge the women you date.”

“Because you don’t know any of the women I date.”

Touché.

I am well aware.

My brother shares almost nothing about his dating life—if he even has one. I’ve seen the photos online, though. The red-carpet appearances. The influencers. My family learns about his relationships the same way the rest of the world does—through filtered posts and gossip columns.

“Why are you ambushing me at a coffee shop like I’ve wandered into a dirty dark alley with a stranger—instead of going on a few dates with your friend?”

Declan’s jaw clenches. “Please stop referring to Aaron Bishop as my friend.”

I blink back the surprise at his sharp tone.

“Okay, jeez. Your teammate.” I worry my bottom lip, the wheels in my brain spinning, rationalizing all the reasons Declan sounds so bitter and drawing a blank. “Did he do something to you?”

My brother hesitates. Unfolds his arms. “No.”

“Did…you do something to him?”

He hesitates again, silence stretching between us. “Jules, don’t be ridiculous.”

That’s not a no.

My fingers find the straw in my latte and fiddle with it. “Then why are you being weird? You came all this way to harass me about Aaron, who is not your friend, who did nothing to you, and whom you did nothing to.” I clear my throat. “Please, make this make sense.”

I am not caffeinated enough for this conversation.

My mind flashes back to Aaron last night. The way his voice had gotten all gruff when we talked about Declan. The careful way he’d asked questions about our relationship. The long pause before he said,Would he do anything for you?

Pieces of something drift through my thoughts like puzzle fragments but it’s too early in the day for any of them to connect.

“Why can’t you stay away from him, huh?” My brother’s frustration colors his face. The blushing is something we both have in common. “There are a million dudes you can date. I can help you find someone new.”

Ha!

As if I would let him.