Chapter 17 #2
“You’re sixteen, and no offense, your judge of character hasn’t developed yet.”
Her mock gasp makes me shake my head and glance at Ayden. He isn’t looking at her… but at me, telling me with his eyes that he’s fine with her going.
I’m not, though.
I could text Tyler to make sure nothing happened to her, and he’d do everything to keep her safe. He understands how important these two are to me, so I know she’ll be fine.
Besides, there’s no alcohol or weed—we’re not trying to get in trouble—and nothing bad has ever happened at one of these parties in the past.
No, what worries me is being left alone with Ayden.
“Then…” She slowly pulls away from me and steps back. “It’s SETTLED!”
I look down at her, and she’s got her phone in her hand typing away. “He’s going to pick me up.”
“Alysa, I don’t—”
“Thanks! I have the best brothers!” she cuts me off, and turns quickly, rushing down the hall toward the kitchen.
A very heavy, irritated sigh escapes me. How do these two get away with all of this? I’m nearly two years older, and yet here they are, making up all the rules.
Ayden’s presence beside me has me turning to look down at him. “So, Friday night… movie? Video games?”
He doesn’t play them, and I only enjoy single players, but it does have me curious to ask, “You want to play?”
His hands move to tuck into his jeans, and he looks away—the blush across his cheeks has my stomach in knots. “No, but I’d be willing to watch you. The game you play, I’ve seen people on Twitch play it.”
Rolling my lips together, I gaze down at my jersey and pants.
After a few seconds of thought, I laugh. “Sure, but let’s get comfortable. I’m giving Alysa a curfew. If she’s not back by midnight, we are going on a mission to recover her butt.”
When our eyes lock, he gives me a cheeky smile. “Sounds like fun.”
After getting changed, we settle into the living room where the PlayStation is set up. I wonder if he sat that far from me on purpose, the same way I did. It’s a four-seater couch—we’re not worlds apart, but it feels that way with all the space between us.
He tucks his legs up, and slouches against the side. “I’ve never seen you play shooters.”
I sigh. “Not really into it, plus, it flares my migraines. All the flashing.”
The end of my statement comes out bitter. I’ve had to take the ‘could cause seizures’ warning to heart. They don’t trigger them in me, but they may as well. The migraines I have incapacitate me at times, including but not limited to, game days.
He doesn’t say anything at first, just hums. Only after I’ve got the game loaded and beginning, does he comment, “I like these better anyway.”
“You have a preference on something you don’t enjoy?” I ask playfully, tucking a heel onto the couch and leaning an arm against my knee.
A laugh I’d say sounds slightly nervous is barely audible over the sounds of clashing swords from the TV.
“I do.”
Smiling, I fall into the groove. We talk about random things—schoolwork, football, cheer, and what my plan is after high school. At one point, we even talk about our other parents, the ones absent from our lives.
I’d never asked about his mom before, but he said she was just a terrible mother, and Grant noticed early enough to get out.
My dad was sort of the same, though more verbally abusive toward my mom.
She always said she was lucky—unlike so many women—because she had the ability to leave.
She told me that while it might seem hateful that he didn’t want me, his son, I should look at it as a good thing.
I did. At least, I tried to.
An hour passed far too quickly, and maybe it was the trips back and forth—for the bathroom, for drinks—but somehow we ended up side by side on the same cushion, in the middle of the couch.
After dying three times to the same boss, I shut off the console and turned on a movie. We settled on one easily. I don’t think he cared, just like I didn’t.
Draping my arm over the back of the couch, on the side not closest to Ayden, I lean into my hand. “Has Alysa texted you?” I ask, just as the opening credits begin to roll.
He speaks through a yawn, “Yeah, she’s having a great time and promises to be back before midnight.”
I reach for the side table, scooting over to check for a message from Tyler. There are a few—one of them a photo, with a note that says, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got eyes on the twin you’re not attached at the hip to.’
Smiling, I drop it and scoot back toward the center. Now it’s obviously intentional. I could’ve stayed at the edge of the couch, but I don’t want to. Still, I watch Ayden’s expression, checking if he’s uncomfortable. There’s no hint of it, he simply sinks back into the cushion.
“She’s safe, Tyler’s got her.”
He nods his head and beams. “To be honest, I’m not worried about her. I’m worried for anyone who thinks they can get one over on her. I swear, she’d make as good a linebacker as you if they’d let her.”
I honestly cannot hold back my laugh, throwing my head back with its intensity.
“No argument from me. She’s vicious.”
“So true.” He melts into laughter with me, and the moment we fall out of it, he says, “Can I ask you something?”
I clear my throat. “Of course.”
“You’ve never told me not to call you Keo, yet you tell everyone else not to. Why?”
I pause briefly, before responding, “It just doesn’t feel right when anyone else says it but my mom… and you.”
A thoughtful hum escapes him before he leans against my arm. “Makes sense,” he murmurs.
I don’t breathe.
I sure as shit don’t move.
This is fine. Right? I’ve seen him and Alysa cuddle up on the couch before. I’ve never had siblings until now, so I can take a cue from them…
Except I’m certain his sister doesn’t get butterflies like this.
Maybe I’m just tired—or at least that’s what I’ll blame if this ever comes up—because instead of pulling away, I shift my arm to rest over his shoulder to hold him. He then leans into my chest, eyes still forward.
I’m glad he isn’t on my left. My heart would absolutely betray how calm I’m pretending to be.
This is my last year in this house before college. I’ve already signed with Arizona State, and soon I’ll be moving. I’ll only see Ayden during summers, and maybe around the holidays. I can move on from these feelings I shouldn’t have for my stepbrother.
Still, something tugs at the strings of my heart. I fear a life without Ayden will be hollow.
That thought hurts, but for now, I’ll let myself enjoy this happiness I can’t find anywhere else.