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Our food arrived. We ate in silence. It felt heavy and broody until Ricochet broke it.

“Not that it matters, but you have my blessing.”

Chapter 19

Crux of Your Issue

Mickayla

Killian giving us his ‘blessing’ lightened the mood of our breakfast marginally. Tundra went to the bathroom, leaving me alone with my brother.

“You seem very happy with him,” Killian said.

“Don’t sound so judgmental.”

“I’m not judging, you’re hearing what you want to hear, sis. I mean it. You’re happier than I think I’ve ever seen you.”

I swirled the straw in my glass of iced tea. “He’s the best. It’d be nice if you had his back during this session of church.”

“That’s not cool, Mick.”

“We have your blessing, but you can’t have his back? Not sure your blessing means much if that’s the case.”

Killian shook his head. “Ryan and Dad are likely to be the only two who see you as being off-limits. I take Tundra’s back, they’re going to think I turned my back on you.”

“That’s bullshit circular logic,” I muttered.

He widened his eyes. “I’m not your enemy here.”

I shrugged. “You’re also not much of an ally.”

Tundra pulled his chair out and sat down. “Which is why I didn’t want him in the middle of this, babe. You shouldn't strain your relationship with him. Let me fight my own battles.”

Killian pulled his phone from his hip. “I gotta split. My shift starts in half an hour. Tundra, what do I owe you?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Tundra said.

Our server came to our table with the bill. While Tundra leaned sideways to pull his wallet from his back pocket, I handed her my credit card.

She took it with a grin. “I’ll be right back.”

“Mickayla,” Killian said.

“Woman,” Tundra said at the same time.

I aimed big eyes at my man. “I’m not letting him mooch off you.”

“You don’t pay for my food,” Killian said.

I turned to look at him. “Which is precisely why I did it, and if that makes you feel a certain way…good.”

“Bitchy isn’t a good look,” Killian said.

I dipped my chin. “I’m not being bitchy. If you feel guilty, then that’s on you, little brother.”

He stared at me. “Thanks for breakfast. See you at the bar.” His eyes slid to Tundra and he gave him a chin-lift. “Later.”

He left and the server came back with my credit card and receipts. While I signed, Tundra spoke.