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Xander
I spotted my brother,Jase, and Asher at their usual table at Bell’s. A blast of icy-cold wind followed me over the threshold as I fought to close the door behind me.
“Xander,” Kel greeted me with a curt nod. “Usual?”
“Yeah, put it on my brother’s tab.”
He chuckled, giving me a swift nod as I made my way over to them.
“You’re late,” Cameron grumbled.
“Have you seen it out there?” I unzipped my jacket and slid into the booth beside Asher.
“Yeah, it’s blowing up a storm.”
“How does it feel finally winning the championship then, Xan?” Asher asked, and a ripple went through the air.
“Seriously?” Cameron balked.
“Relax,” Ash waved him off. “It’s just a question. High school was a long time ago, right, Xander?” He looked at me and I nodded.
“Although not as long for me as it was for you.” I smirked.
“If that’s your way of telling me I’m old, get in line. I have enough of that from Aaron and Sofia. Apparently, I’m too uncool to hang with them anymore.”
“Imagine if your old man had tried to hang out with you back when we were seniors,” Jase said.
Asher shuddered. “Point taken. But I’m way cooler than he ever was.”
“How’s it going with Ezra?” Cam asked.
He let out a low whistle, tension radiating from him. “It’s not getting any easier. You know, I thought we were over this shit, but since his birth mom got in touch, he’s confused.”
“You still want to go through with the adoption though?”
“Of course we do, he’s our son.”
“Give him time,” Cam said. “He isn’t eighteen until the spring.”
“I had no idea you were thinking of adopting him,” I said.
“Shit, me and my big mouth.” Jase ducked his head and took a long pull on his beer.
“It’s fine,” Asher replied. “You’re as good as family.” He smiled at me.
I appreciated the sentiment even if it didn’t feel that way anymore.
There had been a time, back when they were younger, when I’d looked to Jase and Ash as uncles. They guided me right alongside Cameron. But it was different now. They had their own families, their own kids.
They had their own issues.
“I don’t know about you,” my brother said to no one in particular, “but I’m ready for a few days off work.”
“Things at the center that bad?”
“No, things are great.” Cameron managed a fitness center, providing personal training, sports therapy, and coaching. His business had really gone from strength to strength over the last few years, and there had been a time when he wanted me to join him.
But we could barely stand to be in the same room together sometimes, let alone work together. He’d long given up asking me to join the family business.
