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Wes’s slack fingers moved, curling into my palm so I could cradle his entire hand. It made my stomach flip over and warmth curl in my chest. “You can’t even let me be mad at you,” he muttered.
Softly, I answered, “We’ve spent enough time fighting, don’t you think?”
Fighting our feelings. Fighting just to be brothers. Fighting to stay family despite it all.
The only fighting I wanted to do from now on was to make sure he knew how much he meant to me. And if that meant making nice with the swim bros, then I would accept my fate.
“I always knew you liked us,” Ryan mused.
I made a face. “Yeah, because I told you.”
“Admit it. We’re bros,” Jamie heckled.
“I tolerate you for Wes.”
“Max.” Wes warned, his hand going stiff in mine.
I sighed. “Fine. We’re bros.” Then in a lower voice, I said, “If you even want to be.” I wasn’t really a likable guy. I was grumpy, disagreeable, and violent. I definitely never made it easy for any of these guys.
Jamie opened his arms. “Bring it in, bro!”
I pushed him back the second he was within arm’s distance. “I draw the line at hugging.”
Ryan snickered and shouldered past Jamie to hold out his fist. “We’re all good.”
I pounded my fist against his.
“I need coffee.” Wes started toward the diner, and I let go of his hand. He glanced back, curiosity in his eyes.
“I’ll be right there.”
Frowning, he turned back.
“I just want to say something to Jamie.”
Wes started back to my side, but I shook my head. “It’s fine, Nemo. Really. We’re all good. Go on in. I’ll be right behind you.”
“Nemo,” Ryan echoed. “Like the fish?”
“Bro, that’s cute AF,” Jamie teased.
Wes ducked his head, palming his neck, and I laughed beneath my breath. At his side, I tugged his hand away and tipped his chin up with the back of my hand. “Order me a coffee?”
He nodded once, eyes gleaming. “Sure,Maxi.”
I narrowed my stare, but he wasn’t intimidated. Instead, he bounced a kiss onto my cheek and started off with Ryan right beside him.
“Brat,” I muttered under my breath, and Jamie made an amused sound. My eyes swung to him, and he tucked his hands into the pockets of his sweats.
“Got something to say?” he asked.
“I know I already thanked you guys for being good to Wes, but I should also thank you for being good to me. I’ve given you a hard time, harder than everyone else. But you always answer my texts when I’m worried about Wes. Hell, you text me when you think there’s something I need to know. You do it even if I don’t deserve it.” I cleared my throat. “I appreciate it.”
For once, Jamie didn’t crack a dumbass joke, instead leveling his eyes on mine. “You sat with Madison when I couldn’t. You watched out for her when I asked. And it wasn’t because Wes likes her. It’s because you’re a good friend.”
I scoffed.
He tilted his head. “She told me you talked to her. Told her you thought I was a good guy.”
