7. Mylo
CHAPTER SEVEN
MYLO
Dinner with Noah and Hope had become a regular thing, and honestly, it was one of the best parts of my day. It was warm, it was easy, and after the chaos of the kitchen, it felt good to sit down with people who treated me like family. But tonight, I had something on my mind that I couldn't shake.
It was what I'd always imagined family dinners would be like.
I pushed a piece of bread around my plate, glancing up at Noah and Hope as they chatted about something I wasn't paying attention to. My brain was stuck on that damn horseback ride with Holden.
I couldn't figure him out. One second, I thought we were having a nice moment—he was actually talking, showing me parts of the land, even smiling a little. I figured—finally—we were turning a corner. But then, out of nowhere, he got all growly and bossy, barking orders like I'd done something wrong.
Who the hell does he think he is?
I didn't even realize I'd said that last part out loud until Noah chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Something on your mind, Mylo?"
I groaned, leaning back in my chair. "It's your brother-in-law," I muttered, and both Noah and Hope immediately perked up, grinning like they knew exactly what I was about to say.
"Oh, this should be good," Hope said, a playful gleam in her eye as she leaned forward. "What did Holden do this time?"
I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair. "We went horseback riding today, right? And for a while, it was actually nice. He wasn't giving me that weird silent treatment. He was showing me around, telling me about the land, and for a second, I thought we were good."
"And then?" Noah prompted, amusement already written all over his face.
"And then," I huffed, "maybe I got a little ahead of myself, started riding ahead, and he lost it. I mean lost it . Started yelling about how dangerous it was, how I didn't know the terrain, and that I had to listen to him because he knows better. Like, excuse me, what? "
Hope laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. "That sounds about right."
I stared at her. "Are you serious? He acted like I'd just run off a cliff or something."
"Well," Noah said, exchanging a glance with Hope, "knowing Holden, he probably thought you would."
I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Yeah, but why? I'm not a kid! And it wasn't that dangerous, was it? I mean, what's the big deal about riding a horse? He made it sound like I was about to get eaten by wolves or something."
Noah choked on his water, and Hope had to smack his back a couple of times as he coughed. "Okay, maybe that's not far from the truth," he said, still catching his breath. "But seriously, Holden's... complicated."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, that's an understatement. Complicated doesn't even begin to cover it. He's bossy, controlling, and acts like I'm gonna break if I do anything outside of his perfect little plan. What's his deal? Why is he always like this? One minute, he's nice-ish, and the next, he's ordering me around like he owns me."
Noah and Hope shared another look before Noah finally spoke. "That's just how Holden is. He's... protective. Like, to a fault. It's his way of showing he cares."
I snorted. "Yeah, well, someone needs to give him the memo that he needs a new way. I felt like a kid getting scolded for running with scissors. Seriously, what gives?"
Hope smiled softly, leaning forward. "Mylo, you've gotta understand, Holden's not used to... letting people in. Especially people he cares about. It's probably freaking him out more than it's freaking you out."
I blinked at her, confused. "Wait, what? He doesn't even talk to me unless he has to. How is that him caring?"
Noah shook his head, laughing under his breath. "You have no idea, do you? Trust me, if he didn't care, you'd know it. Holden's like that with people he's trying to protect. It's just... his way."
I opened my mouth to argue, but then I stopped. That didn't make any sense. He barely looked at me most days. And when he did, it was like he was always trying to figure out a new way to avoid me.
"Protect me from what?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "Because it sure doesn't feel like protection. It feels like he's just keeping me in the dark about something."
Hope's smile softened, and she reached across the table, squeezing my hand gently. "He's trying, Mylo. Trust me. Holden's got his reasons for acting the way he does. You just have to be patient with him."
I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. "I'm so tired of being patient. One minute, he's decent, and the next, he's Mr. Commanding Alpha, barking orders like I'm supposed to salute and say ‘yes, sir.' It's driving me nuts!"
And they were so wrong—he definitely didn't care about me. But I didn't feel the need to argue that point.
Noah and Hope burst into laughter, and despite my frustration, I couldn't help but smile. "Sorry," I muttered. "I shouldn't be talking about your family like that."
Noah waved me off, still chuckling. "You're family too, Mylo. Don't forget that."
I paused, the words sinking in deeper than he could ever know. Family. I didn't think I'd ever felt that way... not even with Chuck. So hearing Noah say it like it was a fact... it meant more than I could put into words.
"Thanks," I said quietly, glancing between the two of them. "I just... I don't get it. I thought we were good today. And then he flips out on me like I've done something wrong. It's like he hates me or something."
Hope exchanged a look with Noah—it was that thing couples did, communicating without words—that just served to highlight how alone I was. Then she turned back to me. "Maybe he's scared."
I frowned. "Scared? Of what?"
"Of you," she said simply, shrugging. "Of getting too close."
I stared at her, my mind whirling. Holden, scared of me? That literally made no sense. The guy was six-four, built like a mountain, and could probably crush me with a look. But the way Hope said it, like she knew something I didn't, made me pause.
Could he actually care enough to be worried?
"That doesn't explain why he's so bossy," I muttered, earning another laugh from Noah.
"Yeah, well, bossiness is kind of in his DNA," Noah said with a grin. "Just hang in there. Holden might be rough around the edges, but... he's worth it."
I wasn't so sure about that—or if it even mattered to me. Or if it would make any difference in my life.
Yes, it does! I ignored that voice.
I nodded anyway, trying to push down the lingering frustration. Holden might be complicated, but I wasn't ready to give up. Not yet, anyway.
And I wasn't exactly willing to examine too closely why that was.
"Anyway, it doesn't even matter," I said, pushing my food around my plate, halfheartedly stabbing at a piece of roasted chicken. "He's my boss. As long as he doesn't fire me, we can just avoid each other."
I looked up, expecting Noah or Hope to chime in with some reassurance, but instead, they exchanged one of those looks—the kind couples use to say everything without saying a damn word. It was a brief moment, but it still stung. That pang of loneliness hit me square in the chest, reminding me how far I was from having what they had. They didn't say anything, though, which only made the knot in my stomach tighten.
Don't get too comfortable, a familiar voice in my head reminded me.
I let out a breath, leaning back in my chair. Time to change the subject. "Anyway, what was that about? The land Holden mentioned—the one I wasn't supposed to ride into?" I glanced between the two of them. "He freaked out like I'd crossed some forbidden line."
Noah cleared his throat, shooting Hope a quick glance before turning his attention to me. "Well... you kinda did."
I raised an eyebrow. "What? I thought it was all just open land. What's the big deal?"
Noah shifted in his seat, clearly trying to find the right words. "Okay, think of it like this—Holden's family and mine, we're like... the Capulets and the Montagues. The land you were heading toward? That's my family's territory. And let's just say they don't take kindly to trespassers."
My fork clattered against the plate as I dropped it, staring at Noah. "You're kidding, right? You're telling me I almost started some kind of Romeo and Juliet feud?"
Hope chuckled softly. "Trust me, we already did that, you know—without the poison and dying part."
Noah snorted, then shook his head, his expression serious. "I'm not saying anyone would've thrown down right then and there, but yeah, it's dangerous. My family isn't exactly welcoming to strangers, even if they're riding in on horseback."
"Great," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "So why didn't Holden just tell me that instead of losing his mind on me?"
Noah and Hope exchanged another one of those looks. This one lingered a little longer, and for the first time since I'd sat down with them, I started feeling like I was missing something big.
"There's... more to it than that," Hope said quietly, her eyes soft but cautious.
I narrowed my eyes. "You mean like some big secret everyone's keeping from me?" I let out a short laugh, trying to lighten the tension in my chest. "'Cause it feels like I'm the only one around here who doesn't know what the hell's going on. Sarah's the same way—always talking in half sentences, stopping herself mid-thought. I feel like there's something just out of reach that no one's saying."
Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not like that, Mylo. There's just... things you'll understand eventually. Just... give it time."
I blinked, unsure what to say to that. "Right. Because time clears everything up," I muttered, half under my breath.
Hope smiled sympathetically, leaning over to pat my arm. "Trust us, Mylo. There are reasons for everything, even if they're not obvious right now."
"Yeah, well, it would be nice if someone actually explained those reasons," I muttered, glancing between the two of them. But it was clear they weren't about to spill anything, and I didn't have the energy to press.
After dinner, I found myself playing with Noah and Hope's daughter, Lily. She was all curly hair and big brown eyes, giggling as I lifted her into the air like an airplane. Her laughter was contagious, and for a moment, I forgot about all the stress of the day. She was just so... light. Free. The kind of happy that made you believe in something better, even when things felt uncertain.
"You're pretty good with kids," Noah commented, leaning against the doorframe with a smile.
I smiled back, setting Lily down gently. "Yeah, well... I've always wanted a big family."
Noah's smile softened. "You'll have that someday. I've got a feeling."
I snorted, shaking my head. "Doubt it. Not really in the cards for me." But even as the words left my mouth, images of Holden flashed unbidden in my mind—broad shoulders, those intense brown eyes, the way his voice sent a shiver down my spine every time he said my name.
It was ridiculous. I barely knew the guy.
And yet...
"I wouldn't be so sure," Noah said, his tone light but thoughtful, like he knew something I didn't. "Things have a way of working out when you least expect it."
I let out a breath, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know, man. I mean, Holden's handsome and strong and... sexy as hell," I admitted, feeling a little heat rise in my cheeks as I said it out loud. "But he's also my boss. And honestly? I don't think he's interested in me at all. If anything, it seems like he can barely tolerate me."
Noah chuckled softly. "Holden's not the easiest guy to read, that's for sure. But trust me, there's more going on than you realize."
"Yeah?" I shot him a skeptical look. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
He just grinned, shaking his head. "You'll figure it out."
I glanced back at Lily, who was now playing with her toys on the floor, her innocent laughter filling the room. My chest tightened a little, an ache I couldn't quite explain. I wanted this. A family. A place where I belonged.
But right now, that felt so far away.
"I hope you're right," I said quietly, half to myself.
Noah clapped a hand on my shoulder, firm and reassuring. "I am."
I wasn't sure if I believed him, but something in his tone made me want to. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance I'd find what I was looking for here. Even if I didn't see how yet.
But that didn't stop the thoughts of Holden from creeping back in, making my heart race in ways I wasn't ready to admit.