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“They were what every kid like me with absentee parents wanted. I was jealous of Luke at first, but they treated me just like him. They brought me along on their family vacation the summer before sophomore year. His mom took us to IHOP and the movies. They held up signs with my name right alongside their son's at our football games. Mia never missed a home game. James went to as many as he could. Even after Luke joined the Marines, he showed up to a few of my college games and would call to check in every so often.”
“They sound amazing.”
“It’s a fucking tragedy that we lost his mom so young. When she died, you can imagine the hole it left in Luke. I only had her for a year, and I felt lost. He had 15 years with her. Losing her changed him. He was still himself, but different. Harder. And when James died…” he pauses and swallows hard. I reach out and take his hand and he squeezes. “Luke lost a bit more of himself when his dad died.”
I nod, my heart bleeding for Luke and the heartache he’s been through. And for Brody. I can feel the pain in his words. He loved them, too. I knew Brody and Luke were close, but I didn’t understand the bond they shared until now. It’s beautiful.
“You’re just like Mia, Liv. Big hearted, but also resilient. I’m not saying you fill the hole she left or anything weird like that. You’re not his mom. She was one of a kind, but she would have adored you and loved for Luke to bring you into the family. It’s why I know he’s going to come back for you once he gets his head out of his ass. And I’d hate for him to fuck it all up so much that you don’t give him another chance.”
I’m taken aback by his words, so I blink at him for a moment. “Wow, that’s uh… that’s a lot to digest.”
“I know I’m meddling, but I have to. Luke doesn’t realize it, but he saved me in high school. He gave me a family. He’s my brother, and I want what’s best for him. And that’s you. I’m asking a lot, but I’m going to do it, anyway. Don’t give up on him, Liv. Please.”
He moves his hand on my arm when he says the last part and looks into my eyes. I blink back the tears and let out a sigh. “Brody, I appreciate what you’re telling me. And I’m so sorry you and Luke lost Mia and James. I would have loved to have met them. But I can’t just wait around forever. I have to live my life.”
He winces and drops his hand. “You’re right. And I don’t blame you for it. You’re smart and deserve whatever makes you happy, even if that’s not my moron of a best friend.”
He laughs and finishes the rest of his drink and sets the glass down on the small table in front of us. He regards me for a moment as a slow smirk spreads across his face. “I don’t dance with fans in public, but I’ll make an exception for you. What do you say, birthday girl?”
I purse my lips. “You know what they say about meeting your heroes, right?”
He places his hand over his heart. “You wound me.” I laugh and he extends his hand. I take it and John gives me an excited grin as I pass. No doubt playing out unrealistic fantasies of his sister marrying his football idol.
Brody pulls me close on the crowded dance floor. We dance for a few songs, then he takes me aside. “Your brother has my number, so you can get tickets for next season. Luke was supposed to take you, but who needs him anyway, right?”
I smirk and reach up to kiss his cheek. He’s so tall that even though I'm in heels, he has to bend down to meet me. “Luke is lucky to have you. You’re a good friend, Brody Metzer.”
He grins. “I try to tell him, but he never listens.”
I snort laugh and we hug. He winks before stepping away, weaving through the crowd to his friends in a separate VIP area. I follow Dylan to the guys, but Vera grabs me and pulls me into the middle of the dance floor.
“Omg, he’s so hot! Garrett says he’s famous. Who is he?” I roll my eyes, and she frowns when I tell her who Brody is. She lets out a resigned sigh, then grabs my hand, and we dance like nobody’s watching. Garrett joins us a while later, then Jordy and Skye. I bring out the classics. The sprinkler, the lawnmower, and my favorite; the dice toss, all make an appearance. Dylan catches my eye and shakes his head with a grin while I stick my tongue out at him. A guy comes up behind me, but Jackson gives him a death glare and he disappears.
I yawn and Dylan appears again. He takes my hand and deposits me on the sofa next to John. I slump against him with my eyes closed. “Can we go home now?”
John chuckles. “Liv, it’s not even midnight.”
“I’m in my thirties now. Grandma has a bedtime.”
He laughs. “So um, Brody gave me his number. I think I’m in love.” He grins and I roar with laughter. “If you want to marry him so I have tickets for life, that would be cool.”
I roll my eyes and he chuckles as he stands to gather the troops. I pull Brando into John’s seat. “You ok?”
He nods and lets me lean my head against his massive bicep. “Just tired.”
“You’re old like me.”
He laughs, the rumble echoing in my ear against his arm. My head moves as he sighs, and I follow his line of sight over to Garrett and Vera on the dance floor. They’re dancing super close and intimate, staring into each other’s eyes.
“Why don’t you tell her how you feel?”
He looks down at me, and I catch a rare moment of vulnerability as his eyes soften. He shifts to put his arm around me, and I get comfortable. “It doesn’t matter. I was never right for her.”
“She would have gone all in if you let her.”
He nods, his gaze returning to me when Garrett and Vera make out. “I know, but I couldn’t do that to her. She’s happy now. That’s all that matters.”
Brando has a story he hasn’t told me. He’s never let me in that deep. I don’t know if he ever will, but something tells me it’s sad. “You’re a good person Brandon Myers. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “I’m not, but I appreciate the thought.”
Dylan appears and helps me to my feet and addresses Brando. “We’re heading home. You’re welcome to join. Jordy, Garrett, and Jackson are staying.”
Brando looks over at me and smiles. “Count me in.”
I grab his huge hand and haul him to his feet. Of course, I end up only holding his hand while he stands because let’s be real.
I hug Jordy, Skye, Garrett, and Vera, then wave to Jackson, who smiles and winks from the tight embrace of the woman he’s with for tonight. We file out the door. I walk into the house behind John and gasp when I see the living room set up for an epic night of gaming. I turn to him and wrap him up in a tight hug. “This is perfect. Thank you.” He grins and ruffles my hair.
I bound up the stairs and change into my pajamas and fly onto the couch. Brando hands me a controller and we spend the next several hours kicking ass and taking names. I laugh so much my cheeks hurt. Dylan isn’t very good, which I find hysterical. Mark is loud and competitive like me, while Brando is quiet and efficient, like John. I run my thumb over the sparrow pendent and watch my brothers with their full attention on the screen as their fingers fly over the controllers. I can’t contain my smile.Best. Birthday. Ever.
