The MC’s Little Brother (Bikers and Babies #3)

Chapter 22

22

Wraith

“ C ome on. Admit it. You had fun,” Mel needled me.

We ended the game after that last round because Xander was starting to look drained and was still recovering. The guys joined us for lunch at a BBQ place down the street, Rooster crowing the whole time about how his team won, thanks to his smart decision to get Xander on his side. It was true that Xander won the most shots, but it was a team effort and they only won by one point. The point that I would’ve claimed if Xander hadn’t cheated. I wasn’t pissed about it, though. He was playing and smiling, which was a first since he showed up on my doorstep. I’d take the hit if it meant he was getting better.

“It was alright,” I agreed, mostly because Xander was listening. Rooster had an arm around his shoulders, still taunting Vegas and Circus about their win, but he looked a little too tired to participate, so he just watched and listened. He was mostly done with his food, but he looked a little anxious about what was leftover on his plate, so I traded with him and finished what was left, listening to the crew and Mel discussing bringing the other kids next time. Then it became the entire crew, and I had to point out we’d scare a lot of people if a group of bikers showed up at a place like that. Despite never causing any real trouble in town, people were still wary of us.

“So what’s next?” Rooster asked eagerly, looking between me and Mel. “You got more fun shit planned? Because I want in.”

“Don’t you have work?” I asked. Rooster worked in Butch’s shop, and they were always busy. Yes, Rooster got days off, but I was pretty sure today wasn’t it.

He shrugged. “I traded off days with Deek. I wanted to play.”

“We don’t have any more group plans today,” Mel cut in. “And you won’t be coming to the next game day either. I’m introducing the crew to my bestie a few at a time. Give the other guys a chance to meet him.”

Of course, that only made Rooster pout. He leaned heavily on Xander, giving him puppy dog eyes. “You want me to come play, don’t you?”

I shoved him off before he ended up hurting Xander and scowled at him. “Stop that.”

“What?” he whined at me. “He’s my teammate! We’re friends! He’s got a say in who gets to play!”

I couldn’t stand it when Rooster started whining. He was like a little kid, but worse because he was a grown man who knew how to act better.

When Xander looked up at me, he sort of grimaced. “I, uh… I’m actually really tired. Can we go back soon?”

He looked it. We planned on going shopping after lunch, but stopping at home for a rest was probably a better idea. We could go later. I could go out on my own once I knew what sizes Xander needed, too. Or maybe I’d send Mel, since she wore more than just plain black.

“Yeah. Let me pay and we’ll go.”

“Aw, are you buying us lunch?” Circus crooned. “I love you too, man.”

I couldn’t roll my eyes harder if I tried. “I’m buying my little brother lunch. The rest of you can fend for yourselves.”

Pushing out of my seat, I headed for the hostess so I could pay for our food. I paid for Mel’s too, since she came up with the plan that broke the ice with me and Xander. When I came back, Xander was slouching lower in his seat and looked half asleep and ready to pass out.

Mel stood to go pay, but I waved her off. “I got yours. Can you move him? I don’t want to freak him out.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded. “Alright. I’ve got him. Thanks.”

She touched Xander’s shoulder, bringing him around enough to get to his feet. The guys were arguing amongst themselves and would head out eventually. Vegas gave me an up nod to acknowledge our departure, but they left us alone, probably to spare Xander from having to fully wake up to say goodbye. He slumped against the window the minute the back door shut behind him and started snoring softly.

Mel dropped into the driver’s seat, frowning at him through the rear-view mirror. “We really need to take him to see someone about his sleep issues. I know part of it is because he’s malnourished and it’ll be another week or two of regular meals to get him back on track, but not sleeping at night isn’t helping. Staying with me is fine for now, but eventually I’ve got work and I can’t skip my night shifts.”

She shot me a worried glance. I nodded.

“We’ll figure it out. Do you have the number to call to get him into therapy?”

“I can call for you,” she offered. “I got Maggie in pretty quick, thanks to my connections. And sooner is probably better. I’m not sure he’ll talk right away, though. Maybe if you go in together?”

I hummed my agreement. I wasn’t against therapy as a general rule. Some people definitely needed it. I wasn’t sure I did, aside from learning to communicate better with Xander. I didn’t take parenting classes when some of the other guys did, but those might be more helpful than talking to strangers. Still, if me being there would help Xander, then I’d do it.

We got back to the house and Mel woke Xander long enough to get him to his room. It still bugged me that I looked so much like Jorge that I couldn’t get near my brother to help him when he was half asleep. I ran my hands through my hair, considering my options. From what I remembered of him, Jorge always kept his hair buzzed short. He said men with long hair were all pussies. I kept my hair neat, but not too long. Maybe if I grew it out more, I’d stop looking like that asshole.

“You okay?”

I jerked, swinging around to face her. She’d come down the stairs quietly enough that I hadn’t heard her. That or I was so stuck in my own head that I wasn’t paying attention. I nodded, heading for the kitchen. I pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge, offering it to Mel before grabbing another for myself. We sat down opposite each other at the table, sitting in silence for a while as we both seemed lost in thought.

“I wanted to–”

“What was–”

We both started at the same time, talking over each other. I huffed out a laugh, gesturing for her to go first. She shook her head.

“No, go ahead. What were you saying?”

Since I wasn’t interested in going back and forth like that, I spoke first. “I wanted to thank you for today. You were right, it helped. We were awkward with each other and I don’t think we would’ve gotten past that on our own.”

She nodded slowly, her expression serious. “Yeah… I am awesome like that. I have all the best ideas. You should listen to me more.”

I chuckled and rolled my eyes. “You’re such a brat.”

Her eyes danced mischievously, and she didn’t look the least bit ashamed of that. But that was one of the things that made her so perfect. She was unapologetically herself. She brightened everyone’s day with her playful attitude. Especially mine. Bickering or not, I looked forward to whatever she’d say next.

“Your turn.” I jerked my chin at her, reminding her she’d wanted to say something too.

Her brow furrowed a little before she shook her head. “Oh. It was nothing. I’m glad today worked out for you guys too. I hope you keep having fun together.”

That wasn’t what she was going to say. It sounded like a question, not a statement about the afternoon. She tried to push out of her seat, but I caught her wrist, frowning at her.

“What is it?”

Her cheeks tinged a light pink, and she tugged to get her hand free, still shaking her head. “Really. It’s nothing. Just forget it.”

Pushing out of my seat, I rounded the table, coming to stand in front of her. She’d have to push past me or barricade herself in my room if she wanted to escape the conversation. Whatever it was she had to say, I wanted to hear it.

“Mel? ”

She looked up at me, and I swore I saw want in her eyes. I thought I was imagining it until her gaze dropped to my mouth. Alarms went off in my head, but they were drowned out by the thundering of my heartbeat. I’d wondered for years what it’d be like to kiss her, to taste that smile that always seemed to light up a room. I’d bet good money she tasted like sunshine, all warmth and happiness wrapped up in pale pink lips.

It was my friendship with Prez that kept me from closing the gap. She was inches from me, looking at me like she wanted me just as much as I craved her. Never in a thousand years would I ever have thought she’d be interested. She couldn’t stand me. How much of that was keeping me at a distance like I did with her?

Light blue eyes locked on mine and I could see the question there. I wanted to tell her how much I wanted her. I always had. Always would. And if I was anyone else, I would’ve claimed her already. But I couldn’t. And she knew that. She–

Pushing to her tiptoes, she brushed her lips lightly over mine. Years of suppressed want hit me like a sledgehammer and when she pulled away, I chased her, cupping her neck to draw her back to me. She gasped, surprised, and I caught the sound with my mouth, fusing my lips to hers. Her hands came up, fisting my t-shirt under my leather jacket. Keeping me from pulling away. I didn’t want to. I knew I should, it was a betrayal to Prez to even think about his sister like that, but it was like she broke the dam and I couldn’t make myself stop.