Tate’s hair is darker, longer, curling at the edges like he couldn’t be bothered to fix it. Ink ran up his arms, followed by a snake curling along his neck, bold enough to make you look twice.

Tate is hot. Obviously, but it’s not the safe kind.

I tuck my legs up onto the couch, finally looking over at Carter, who’s still standing near the stairs like he’s half-expecting Tate to come back down and make another scene. Instead, he stays gone, and Carter finally exhales rolling his shoulders like he’s trying to shake off whatever the hell that was.

I tilt my head, studying him, noticing the way his jaw is still tight, the way his fingers flex slightly at his sides.

Before I even realize I’m saying it, the words are out. “Is he always in such a shit mood or is that just a special occasion?”

Carter pauses. He lets out something that’s almost a laugh, but not quite. “Nah, he’s pretty much always like that.”

I nod softly, dragging my fingers over my knee, letting that sit for a second, letting it settle before changing the subject. I pat the open space beside me, raising an eyebrow. “So, you gonna sit with me or just stand there looking like you’re waiting for something to explode?”

Carter gives me a small smile, the tension in his shoulders loosening slightly. “Honestly I was waiting to see if you run after that little family reveal.”

I let out a tiny laugh, shaking my head. “I mean you could’ve warned me a little, but I guess I’ll let it slide, for now.”

He huffs a laugh at that, finally moving toward the couch, dropping down beside me, all broad shoulders and easy confidence, like he wasn’t just visibly stressed out five seconds ago. I don’t forget things easily and there’s something he’s not telling me, but I let it go. Men always have a way of spilling secrets no matter how tightly they try to guard them, even the sweet ones.

He leans back, propping an arm against the back of the couch, eyes now glued to the TV. “So what are we watching?”

I shrug. “Dunno, you put something on before you disappeared. Thought I was just gonna be sitting here judging your taste in shows.”

Carter grins, slow and teasing. “You were looking forward to that, weren’t you?”

“Obviously.”

He shakes his head, reaching for the remote, flipping through streaming services like he’s actually looking for something, as if this isn’t just an excuse to let the silence fill the room for a minute.

I settle against the cushions, studying him out of the corner of my eye, catching on the sharp lines of his jaw, the way his brows furrow just slightly as he pretends to focus on the screen.