I thought that’d been it. Zeke had his “man/mentor” crush on Mason Kade, but to my knowledge, Mason Kade didn’t want much to do with Zeke. That was an answered prayer to me, but now, hearing a Kade was coming here and seeing how excited Zeke was, my tummy was knotting up.

  A second later, Logan Kade walked inside, scowling, and wearing shades. He wore a white dress shirt and dark pants. It looked like he left his business suit jacket in his vehicle. His dark hair was messily rumpled like he’d run his hand through it a few extra times. He had a firm scowl on his face, over his square jaw, and as he paused behind the tables, sweeping over them, he unbuttoned his shirt and began rolling the ends up until he could push them almost to his elbow.

  Spotting us, that scowl just deepened as he made his way toward us. “Allen.” His gaze went to me and softened. “Ava.”

  I held up a hand, my stomach one big knot by now. “Hi, Mr. Kade.” See, I knew them, knew of them, and it was the same from all the times they’d come to Manny’s, but I never considered seeing them in a social way.

  At my greeting, Logan’s head jerked while Zeke barked out laughing.

  He gave Zeke a look. “Shut it unless you no longer need legal counsel from me.”

  Zeke turned away, but he didn’t “shut it.” He kept laughing, just quieter as he moved his head down.

  Logan sighed, pulling a chair out across from us. He opened his mouth to say something, but an attendant came over. “Do you want bingo cards?”

  “Uh.”

  Zeke stopped laughing enough to straighten back up, and coughed, nodding. “Yes. He’ll take five cards.”

  “Five?” came from Logan at the same time the attendant nodded and said, “Yes, sir.” And he ran off.

  Logan leaned forward, shoving his shades up to rest on top of his head. His brown eyes were not happy. “This isn’t a social call, Allen. I’m in town and you said you had something to discuss with me.” But the attendant was back and placing the cards in front of Logan. He cursed, leaning back so the attendant had more room.

  “I did.” Zeke’s lips were still twitching. “Bingo.”

  Cursing again, Logan cut his gaze my way. “I heard you hitched yourself to this guy but was hoping it was a joke. I’m seeing that Jax wasn’t just imagining things.”

  Zeke’s lips stopped twitching. His tone quickly went low. “You can be a jackass to me. I get it. I take that shit and it slides off my back, but don’t disrespect Ava. She’s tenfold the person you and I both are. Keep that in mind.”

  Logan’s eyes cleared, his mouth turned down, but he was softening again. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that in a rude way. Just surprised. I thought you were with–”

  Zeke lowered his head and focused on his bingo cards, but his words still came out, sounding casual, “Would you like me to start asking about your woman’s exes? I’m sure Taylor has a few.” Yes. His voice sounded carefree, almost cherry, but he glanced up and even I got a zing from the hard look in his eyes. He held Logan’s gaze for a full beat.

  Logan’s shoulders rose up, held, and then lowered.

  B10 was called out.

  Logan began looking over his cards, placing tokens on two of them. “Oh, my God. I’m actually playing bingo. What is it you wanted to talk to me about, Allen?” His eyebrows shot up. “And if you called me here to play bingo with you, I will put you on the holiday blacklist because you and I both know you’re hoping to get an invite to Christmas.”

  “You have a point, but…” Zeke stood up, and reverted to his almost giggling self. “One second. I’ll be right back.”

  Logan frowned before saying, “He’s like a lovable gnat, and no offense because his crush on my brother sometimes alarms both Mason and me.”

  I sat up straighter. “No offense back to you, but do you actually know him?”

  He got quiet but held my gaze.

  I added, “He could’ve gone down a much different path. That’s how he was growing up and he changed himself, decided he wanted better mentors. He did that. No one else.”

  Logan cocked his head to the side. “I heard he got a nice push from his best friend and his father.”

  “And your brother. You talk about him like he’s a fanboy. You’re wrong. He chose Mason to look up to, to help him into being a better guy. The idea of your brother, but he’s the one who made that decision to look for a guide. He’s the one who latched onto Blaise. He’s the one who didn’t get pissed off when his dad did what he did. The way I heard it, Zeke lapped it up and he used that to make himself a better person. Takes some intelligence and discipline to make the decision and then follow through with it.”

  “Yeah. You’re right.” A different look edged into his gaze. “Other guys like Zeke might’ve gone a different way.” Those eyes were suddenly all-seeing, and I saw the sharp intelligence in them, a ruthlessness there that gave all those stories told about him some credibility. “Just as long as he treats you right.”

  I frowned.

  Logan smirked. “Heather loves you. Adores you. And because she does, so do we. You just didn’t know that part.”

  My frown deepened. Zeke had made reference to something like this. I knew about Heather, Brandon, my other bosses, but to hear those words being said from Logan Kade? Who I knew, but I had no idea he knew who I was.

  I couldn’t react. I didn’t know how.

  Logan laughed a little. “Heather said you’re kinda clueless about how much you’re cared about. See she’s right.”

  “You don’t even know me.”

  “You’ve been serving me food and drinks since you were fifteen.” He leaned forward, his voice gentling again. “You’re seen. And if Zeke wasn’t attached to you, I wouldn’t have taken him on as a client.”

  I snorted at that. “I know that’s not true.”

  He looked ready to argue.

  I got there first. “It’s Zeke. He would’ve hounded you, and you know it.”

  He growled. “I don’t like to think I would’ve given in under said houndage.”

  Now my grin gentled. “It’s Zeke.”

  He nodded, giving in. “You’re right, and–oh my fucking–” He shot up from his seat and pointed. “Take that out of here. Now. I don’t want to see that.”

  Zeke was carrying a six-foot cardboard cutout of Mason Kade in his NFL football uniform, a football tucked under his arm. He had his helmet on and was staring hard at the camera. Zeke positioned it at the end of our table, and I was now understanding why he insisted on getting seats at the edge. His chest was puffed up as he took his seat.

  “I mean it, Allen. I’m not going to play bingo with you staring at my brother’s cardboard cutout.”

  “G,15.”

  Zeke was still laughing, but he saw he had G,15. He motioned to Logan’s cards. “You better look to see if you have it because they’re not going to call it again.”

  Logan was glaring at him, still standing.

  “I,7.”

  Zeke covered his. “Oh!”

  Logan groaned but was eyeing the cards before him and cursing. He scrambled to cover two more of his cards. “Shit. I almost have a bingo.”

  We kept playing, and Logan did in fact get a bingo. He also kept asking Zeke to remove his brother’s cardboard cutout, but Zeke just ignored him every time. When they announced we needed new cards, it was an hour later. Zeke had taken to holding my hand under the table, and Logan was the one who got up to get us all new cards. His phone kept ringing while we were there, so Nate Monson, another from that group, was going to join us. When Logan was gone, I leaned over. “What’s with the cutout?”

  Zeke grinned, his finger rubbing over the inside of my palm. “Consider it my good-luck charm.”

  I shot him a look. “Zeke.”

  He laughed again. “Don’t give it away, but I actually ordered two. The other one is inside of Logan’s Escalade. He’ll find out when he leaves.” Kade came back after, and Monson was with him. Both sat down, and we played for another two hours.

  Zeke never had anything to talk to Logan about. He was told he was in town and made the call, but it was when we were heading home that I brought it up. “You owe me another date night. That didn’t count.”

  He was holding my hand – he always reached for me when he could – and he lifted our hands to kiss the back of mine. “I know. You pick the date tomorrow night.”

  “I work the closing shift at Manny’s tomorrow.”

  “We can do something after or the next night you have free? I’m easy either way.”

  He was. We did midnight golfing the next night.

  It was another night after Manny’s when I walked into the house and saw a giant bouquet of dandelions on the counter alongside a cardboard cutout of myself.

  “Zeke!”

  He came in from the hallway, holding a box in his hands. “You like them?”

  I pointed at myself. “What the–”

  “Oh yeah. That.”

  “Yes! That. What is that doing here?”

  He went over and put his arm around it, smiling wide at me. “I only get cutouts of the people I look up to.” He was teasing, but then he got serious. His eyes got dark, and he came toward me. “Jokes aside, you’re the only cardboard cutout I want in my life.”

  “What happened to the Mason Kade one?”

  He shrugged. “The bingo people asked if I’d leave it with them.”

  I started laughing, and kept laughing even as he lifted his hands, cupping the side of my face. “Like a mascot?”

  “Probably.” His thumbs swept over my cheeks, and I noticed the box he was still holding. It was cupped into his palm, resting against my face.

  “What is this?”

  He was suddenly really serious.

  My heart dipped. “Zeke?”

  “Okay.” He seemed flustered now before bringing the box between us. It was a jewelry box. Velvet.

  A lump rested on the back of my throat. “What is this, Zeke?”

  “It’s not an engagement ring.” He said that quickly and rushed. “I mean, shit. I should’ve put this in a different box. I’m not trying to be an asshole, in case you thought it was an engagement ring and now I’m saying it’s not, but…” He stopped talking, trailing off as I reached up and took the box from him. He stepped back, his head lowered. His shoulders hunched down, and he shoved his hands in his pockets.

  It was a pendant on a chain.

  My heart began beating so fast as I lifted it out of the box.

  “It’s—” His voice grew thick. “It’s a single dandelion wish. A seed. And they preserved it in the glass. I found it online when I wanted to get you something special.” He moved in close again, so close I could feel his heat. I was still staring at the dandelion as his forehead slowly lowered to rest on mine. His hands went to my arms and his thumbs began rubbing over me, soft, tender. “The store’s website said it’s to be a token. To remind you to always keep working toward your wishes and your dreams. And I got it for you because you’re my wish.”

  I lifted my gaze to his and saw how he was staring at the pendant in my hand.

  He added, his voice hoarse, “I said it before, but I wanted my person when I was growing up. I just never had that person… until you. You’re my person, Ava. My wish. My dream. No one else was it because it was always you. I love you.” His eyes went to mine, and my heart melted at the vulnerable look on his face.

  “Zeke,” I whispered, reaching up and cradling his face. “You’re mine too.”

  So much love pounded through my whole body. It heated up my chest, sent my blood coursing, and I was going on another memory binge because this wasn’t the first time that Zeke had done something nice like this for me, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. Simple things like bringing me food at the stables. Making coffee for me in the morning. He was always kind and thoughtful, and the complete opposite of what he used to be known as.

  We had a monthly bingo night with my mom and Sophie now, and he always liked to get Logan to join if he was in town. Blaise FaceTimed in to play his own card a few times when it worked with his schedule. And Zeke tended to need sugar when he did stocks so I always made sure to bring home his favorite: gummy bears. And he liked doing couple massages and going to the spa. He also enjoyed going to sporting events, so for his birthday, he was going to get tickets to the Arizona Javalina, Mason Kade’s football team, and the Kansas City Mustangs.

  “And I’m pre-proposing to you now.”

  “What?”

  His face was solemn. “We’ve not hit a year yet. I know you’re the cautious type, and moving in with me was a big deal for you. I know that so I’m respecting that, but just so you know, I’d marry you tomorrow if you said you wanted it.”

  I took a step back. “What?” My stomach was now in my chest. “What are you saying?”

  He was studying me, his eyes widening. “Oh–I didn’t mean it to scare you. I’m trying–fuck it. I’m trying to be thoughtful. I know girls like these things.” He held up the jewelry box. “So if you were hoping this was an engagement ring, and then you found it wasn’t, I’m trying to cover all my bases here. I didn’t think you’d want me to propose so soon, so I’m pre-proposing… if that makes sense?”

  I couldn’t breathe. Not for a second, but I managed to choke out, “It makes no sense.”

  His face fell. “Oh.”

  I continued to whisper. “You’d marry me tomorrow?”

  His eyes held mine. “After our first fight, I told you I wished to kiss you for the rest of my life. I would’ve married you that day. The day after. Today. Tomorrow. I’ll marry you any day you want, and all the days after. You say it–”

  “Yes.”

  My heart skipped a beat.

  He frowned a little. “What?”

  Was I doing this? Yes. I knew it so assuredly, so strongly. I never knew anything with more certainty. “I want to marry you too.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “I–when? Where?”

  “Now. Here. I don’t care. Vegas.”

  “Are you serious?”

  I jerked my head in a nod. “I’m serious.”

  He came in, his hands cupping my face. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved you more than right now. I mean, I’ll love you more tomorrow because it’s growing every day, but I love you. A lot, a lot. Right now. I–”

  “Zeke.”

  “What?”

  “Shut up and kiss me.”

  His mouth found mine, and the earth moved, and we kept kissing.

  We flew to Vegas the next day, after I got time off from both my jobs, but we also had another ceremony the next summer in Fallen Crest. Blaise was Zeke’s best man. My mother was my matron of honor. We had a large party at Manny’s, then another at our house, and yet another at Fallen Crest Country Club. (Zeke knew the board members.) His family was there. Sophie was also there, and she had her own ring by then as well.

  A certain cardboard cutout also made the bridal party. I’m not going to say which one.

  There was a bachelorette party thrown for me by Heather, Tasmin, Aspen, Bren, Taylor, Samantha, Quincey, and so many others. Zeke had his own party too, and yes, Mason Kade showed up for it. Zeke was over the moon, but I knew the main two guys he really wanted there were his father and Blaise. My other bosses from the horse stable also threw a party for me, and they had a different group of friends celebrating us, but I knew them and loved them as well. All in all, it was a whole party extravaganza and so much not me, but it was me now.

  It was me because besides loving Zeke, I’d let so many others in and this was what it was like to find your happily ever after. It wasn’t just the guy. It was yourself. It was accepting and welcoming love, and I was glowing.

  And three months later I had another reason to glow.

  I was pregnant. I was half considering ordering a baby cardboard cutout to give to Zeke when I told him.

  * * *

  I hope you enjoyed Aveke!

  If you did, please leave a review.

  They truly help so much.

  For more stories, go to www.tijansbooks.com

  * * *

  Read Blaise and Aspen’s book here.

  Read Bren and Cross’s book here.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I wrote the first 10k of this book as a short story for an anthology. Then, later on, I expanded the rest so it’s actually a very large novella. Because of that, I want to thank Zeke and Ava both for helping me write their stories. I knew bits and pieces of both as I wrote the Crew series, The Boy I Grew Up, and Rich Prick, but sometimes the characters don’t really show me their lives until I write their stories. And having written Aveke, I love love love both Zeke and Ava. There’s such a quiet courage and humbleness to Ava, and Zeke, I just love how he doesn’t care how he comes across. He’s true first and foremost to those he love.

  Thank you to my readers because you guys have really helped me with so much support. Thank you to Crystal, Amy. Serena. Tami. Eileen. Kay! To everyone who proofread this one. I really and truly appreciate all the help you give me.

  And as always, thank you to my Bailey. I love that little guy so much.

  RICH PRICK

  1

  Everyone knew who Blaise DeVroe was.

  It didn’t matter that he’d come to Fallen Crest Academy late in the year—and FCA was not a school you showed up late to.

  I knew this because I showed up shortly after this year—my senior year—began, and no one, I repeat no one, knew who I was. Since my parents decided to have a mid-life crisis and tried to make up for some of their wrongs and bring me back to Fallen Crest, my last year of high school had sucked. FCA was filled with rich, stuck-up people. That meant you had to speak their language to be in their groups, and I didn’t. Not because I didn’t have money. My parents were movie producers and directors. We had money, and I previously went to one of the most exclusive private schools in North America, and a stint in a boarding school in Europe.