“No,” he said, horrified. “No, they just … love giving me shit. Especially since I took out Darby, and now you’re coming by.”

“I figured that would be normal around here,” I said, looking up at the hotel. I thought about Trex’s news and the timeline. “This is none of my business, but … did you sleep with her? Darby?”

Zeke made a face. “No. She’s not like that.”

I couldn’t tell the truth, so I just kept my mouth shut. Darby had to have gotten pregnant right after Zeke and right out of the gate with Trex.

He continued. “I haven’t told them you were coming, but they might say something. My roommate is out with his girl, so we’ll at least have some peace and quiet.”

“Thanks for the warning. I’ll try not to cry.” I took a step toward the entrance, but his voice stopped me.

“I was thinking more along the lines of you not kicking anyone’s ass. I work with these guys. Some of them are my bosses.”

“Fine,” I said, unimpressed.

“You look great,” he said with a small smile.

I looked down. There was nothing special about my jeans, tank top, and flannel shirt. My boots weren’t even tied. “Uh … thanks.” I pointed to the sack. “I hope they got your order right.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m like a garbage disposal, I’ll eat almost anything.”

With a tiny lean to the side, Zeke set off the sensors, and the doors swept open.

“You should,” I said, walking alongside him. “You’re one hike away from weighing the same as me.”

He laughed out loud. “Come on, now. I’m lean, but I’m not that lean.” He patted his stomach, sounding like he was beating a tree trunk. “Still got the ol’ six pack.

“Who doesn’t?” I asked.

He turned to me. “Prove it.”

We both pulled up our shirts just enough to display the rippled skin beneath. He wasn’t kidding. He was solid.

“I stand corrected,” he said, staring at my abs in awe.

I put down my shirt, and we made our way through the lobby. Men and women were ambling about with mugs of beer in their hands. They were all talking until those we passed paused to take notice. I could see why Zeke was so uncomfortable. He knew the spotlight would be on us once we were inside. His friends knew we were seeing a lot of each other and were curious.

“Sorry,” he said under his breath.

“I’ve walked through more hostile crowds,” I said, stopping at the elevator bay. Darby had been standing at the bar discussing something with Reese, the female mechanic, and the bartender. She didn’t notice us, even when a fourth of the group stopped talking, including Reese.