“Mercutio?” Braxton appears thoroughly confused.
“Pops,” I say.
“Like Romeo and Juliet?” Braxton asks.
“Yeah, he really lives up to the name too.”
“I refuse to call someone I just met Pops,” Greyson says stiffly.
“Wait, Pops’ real name is Mercutio?” Braxton asks.
“Pops is what he prefers to be called,” I tell Greyson with a hint of annoyance. First, he yells at my best friend, who’s looking a little ashen, and then he disrespects my grandfather. Who does he think he is?
“Stand down, sunshine. He didn’t mean anything by it. Greyson’s just a little…formal.” Then Braxton turns to Greyson. “I can’t believe he told you his name. I’ve been asking every day since I arrived.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not as friendly as you.”
“Apparently,” Savvy mutters.
Greyson cuts a glare her way that’s so cold I shiver. Without taking his gaze off Savvy, he says, “I can’t deal with this.” Then he turns to me, and for the first time since he walked in, I see a hint of the warmth he must reserve for his family. “Thank you, truly, for opening rooms for us. My nephew—” He sighs with the weight of the world on his breath. “I appreciate it.”
It’s been such a whirlwind since he arrived, I’m not sure how to answer.
“I’ll come with you,” Braxton says. But then he peers around the room, and I feel his muscles bunch. “I don’t want to leave you here with him though. I don’t trust him.”
My heart thumps against my chest, and that similar sensation from earlier washes over me.
“It’s okay, I’ll come too. I wasn’t expecting them until morning, and I’m sure Pops’ welcome wasn’t exactly professional.”
“What about the auction?” Elle asks. I hadn’t even noticed that she and Cian had moved closer.
“I was the only one who was ever going to win her. I’ll pay for both our bids on our way out,” Braxton says, engulfing my hand in his.
Even though the concept of him winning me is not at all politically correct, there’s something about it that excites me.
I’m not sure I’ve ever felt cherished before. Loved, yes. Hated, yes. But cherished? That’s a whole new level for me.
“Is that okay with you?” he asks, and I melt for him completely. He takes charge but remembers to ask me what I want.
I’m a goner.
19
BRAXTON
We arriveat the house to find Sage in the kitchen. He freezes with a fork in the air halfway to his mouth.
“Oh, please, keep eating,” Madison says. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you checked in. My grandfather means well, but he’s not exactly the best host.”
He swallows with an audible gulp, then lowers the forkful of pie and reaches out a hand. “I’m Sage. Thank you for…” He waves a hand around the room. “This.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’m Madi. Can I make you something to eat? A sandwich? Some pasta, maybe?”
“No, thank you, though. I just needed some sugar, you know, eat my weight in feelings.”
“I’ve been there before. I totally get it. How about…” Madison glides through the kitchen and opens the freezer. “Some vanilla ice cream to go with that peach pie?”
“God, yes,” Sage blurts, then promptly snaps his mouth closed.
