22. Nick
TWENTY-TWO
Nick
STEVE
Steve parked his motorcycle directly behind the shop in the unused loading zone. But instead of returning to his apartment, he walked down the alley and turned onto the shaded side of Adams Street for a warm drink at Mochas.
The mostly-obscured rising sun shone on the far side of the square but with not nearly as much warmth as earlier in the week. Autumn was taking hold in central Ohio.
A slightly disheveled Derek entered to the jingle of the shop bell for his own much-needed caffeine. Steve was adding sugar to his cup as Derek ordered a large, black coffee. Once their drinks were in hand, they crossed the street to find seats on one of the benches inside the old carousel building.
“So, what’s your story?” Steve motioned toward Derek as he straddled one of the long benches. “Heading home?”
Derek ran his fingers through his wavy brown hair before sipping his coffee. He held up a hand in surrender and sat. “Caught me.”
“Who was it this time?”
Derek tilted his head to the other end of the square. “Jenna. Had to sneak out the back after I woke up since the bakery’s already open.”
“Jenna?” Steve shook his head and laughed. “And I thought I was bad.”
“Not looking to settle down just yet.”
“Clearly.”
They both chuckled and enjoyed their respective drinks.
“Do the other guys know–”
“No,” Derek cut him off. “Not even Kiro. I don’t think she’d want Celeste and the other girls to know…” He paused. “Pretty sure they don’t have the best opinion of me. Don’t need her to get caught up in that.”
Steve knew Derek slept with anything that moved, but Jenna was a few steps above his usual easy catch for an evening. At least he had a code and made sure she didn’t end up guilty by association.
Derek swallowed, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “How’s your brother doing? Have you had a chance to see him, yet?”
Steve’s face turned serious, but then settled into a contented look. “Saw him for the first time this morning, actually. We had breakfast.”
“Good to hear.”
“Yeah. Thanks. He’s doing well.” Steve thought back to his conversation with Nick.
“What was wrong with me?” Nick asked.
Steve closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before answering. “Not a damned thing.”
Nick leaned over and rested his head on Steve’s shoulder. Steve wrapped his arm around his brother. “We’ll both get through this, a’ight?”
“Ah-what?”
Nick’s whispered response brought a smile to Steve’s face. “There you are, little brother.”
“I love you, Stevie.”
“I love you, too, Nicky.” Steve rested his head on top of Nick’s and swallowed back the lump rising in his throat.
“He looks so much better than when we found him a few weeks ago.”
“Good,” Derek said with a genuine smile. “I’m happy for you.”
“I’m going to buy some stuff for my second bedroom. When he gets out, he can just move in with me.”
“I’ll help you set it up. Should be quick work with an extra set of hands.”
“Appreciate it, Derek. Thanks.”