Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Nothing like eating pie and drinking booze with friends. It’s something I haven’t done in years, but I've always enjoyed it.
There’s some action movie on the TV, but it’s more ambiance than anything, as we chat with increasing animation, courtesy of the hard liquor.
We’d started with homemade hot cocoa and Iz’s favorite peanut butter whiskey, which Will thanked me again for turning him on to, and then graduated to heavier stuff.
Peace settles in my chest the longer I’m here with them all, and I know it isn’t just Iz who’s responsible.
There’s some strange camaraderie between me, Asher, and Will.
Something I’ve never felt before with any of my friends, and as an only child, I don’t know if this is common for actual brothers.
But the feeling drives home the fact that these two Alphas are absolutely my pack brothers.
I just don’t know if it’s right of me to be here. I may not have had an episode today, but I’m still the weakest link. But this is still very nice, even if it’s temporary.
Iz’s laughter catches my attention. “And the first time I called him ‘Matt,’ I got an earful.” She eyes me with a smirk.
I raise my right brow at her in that way she used to love, and her eyes grow hooded. “My name is Matthew, not Matt.” My disgust is evident in my tone
“And that’s why his gamertag is ‘NeverMatt.’” She roars with laughter, bringing smiles to Will’s and Asher’s faces.
I’m amused on the inside. “Okay, Miss ‘LadyIsabelleOfRoss.’”
That quiets her down and makes the others laugh a bit harder, though Will does try to hold it together.
Iz throws a shocked expression my way that turns into an adorable pout. “I just never changed it since I was a kid,” she says, crossing her arms and looking defiant with her chin raised.
“Well, mine’s ‘Samohtlliw,’” Will chimes in, looking embarrassed.
“What the hell is that?” I ask.
“My name backwards,” he says with a cringe. “Will Thomas.”
We laugh before all setting our gazes on Asher, who is looking way more innocent than should be possible.
There’s a moment when he looks around before he grumbles, “BlackAsNight509843006.”
The laughter that overtakes me is so loud that I think I scare everyone, but Iz sends me a knowing look as Will appears confused.
“He chose a name so popular, they assigned him a nine-digit number after it to make it unique,” I offer him between laughs.
It’s Asher’s turn to cross his arms and huff as he leans back on the couch. When he does, Iz loops her arm through one of his, which he readily gives to her so she can hug it.
“No one should make fun of your childhood gamertag,” she says with a certain amount of cooing.
Asher’s mouth opens, then shuts, before his body deflates a bit. “It’s only five years old.”
The room is quiet only a split second before it’s filled with raucous laughter again.