Chapter Seventeen
Jaxton
It’s been a couple of weeks since Avery discovered our secret, and honestly, she’s handled it better than I could’ve imagined.
Her only real issue with the situation was that we’d lied—or rather, omitted—a pretty big part of our lives in the beginning.
She wasn’t wrong to feel hurt by that, and we owned it.
That conversation wasn’t easy, but once we worked through it, something shifted between us.
Now, we’re closer than ever, and every day, it feels like she’s becoming a more permanent part of our lives.
I can’t imagine leaving her behind when filming wraps.
Hell, I don’t think I could if I tried.
And it’s not just Liam and me who feel that way—Kam and Lenn haven’t even met her in person yet, and they’re already smitten.
It’s no exaggeration to say we’re all absolutely in love with her.
Which brings me to our big surprise.
Kamden’s had to delay their trip a couple of times because of issues at the restaurant, but this time, it’s finally happening.
We told Avery they wouldn’t be coming until next week, but the truth is, they’re flying in this afternoon.
Liam and I have been bursting to tell her, but the look on her face when she realizes they’re here is going to make the wait worth it.
We’ve been together for a few months now, and the only hurdle we haven’t crossed yet is meeting her dad.
She hasn’t said it outright, but it’s clear she’s nervous about how he’ll react to us in person.
We’ve crossed all the markers of a serious relationship, and it’s impossible not to feel the weight of how much she means to us.
She’s thoughtful in ways that catch me off guard—like the vase of white roses she keeps on her kitchen table.
It’s always full, a quiet nod to our first date, a memory she keeps alive every day.
Even with Kam and Lenn being physically distant, she treats all four of us with the same care and affection, never letting the miles between us change how she loves us.
She may not have spoken the words aloud, but they’re evident in every gesture and in the gentle tone she uses when she’s with us.
Lennox has already called me half a dozen times this morning, his excitement practically vibrating through the phone.
He’s not just eager to meet Avery in person, though that’s a big part of it—he’s also dying to see his twin.
Liam and Lenn haven’t gone this long without seeing each other, and while neither of them would admit it outright, it’s been wearing on them.
Kam, on the other hand, is teetering on the edge of burning down his restaurant if it means finally making it out here.
He’s been frustrated beyond words over the delays, and I can’t blame him.
When I say they’re both chomping at the bit to be here, that’s the understatement of the century.
I know my brothers, and they’re not the patient type when it comes to something—or someone—they care about.
The hardest part was watching Avery deal with their absence.
Each night, as we sit with her during the video calls, there’s a moment where her smile falters, and a sadness clouds her gorgeous eyes.
It’s subtle, but it’s there—a quiet ache she tries so hard to hide.
Last night, when her lower lip wobbled during their goodnight call, Liam and I couldn’t take it anymore.
We made sure to fuck her into a coma afterward to turn her frown upside down, but it didn’t erase the fact that she was hurting.
She cares so deeply about Kam and Lenn, and the distance is taking its toll.
After she fell asleep, Liam and I called Kam and Lenn to vent.
They needed to know how much their delayed visit was affecting her.
To their credit, they were just as frustrated with the situation as we were.
Now, though, the wait is almost over.
Liam agreed to keep Avery busy this morning so I could check in with them and confirm their arrival time.
I glance at the clock, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth.
She has no idea what’s coming, and I can’t wait to see her face when Kam and Lenn walk through that door.
This is going to be one hell of a reunion.
My phone barely rings a second time before Lennox answers, his voice a mix of excitement and exertion. “Jax! We just landed. Did you bring her with you?”
Chuckling at his enthusiasm, I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “No, Liam’s keeping her busy until we get to her house. Relax, Lenn. You’ll see her soon enough.”
“Stop pouting,”
Kamden cuts in, his tone amused. “We just got off the plane, and he’s already impatient. Where are you?”
The excitement in their voices is contagious, making me grin as I glance at the time. “I’m waiting for you guys in the VIP lobby. It’s quiet here right now, so it was the perfect time to land.”
“Perfect,”
Lennox says, his breath evening out. “We’re right around the corner. See you in a sec, bro.”
I disconnect and lean back against one of the sleek lounge chairs, my arms crossed as I glance toward the private arrivals area. Moments later, I spot them walking toward me, their familiar strides instantly recognizable. Kam’s towering frame leads the way, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, while Lennox is a step behind, his face lighting up when he sees me.
“Jax!”
Lennox calls out, his voice echoing slightly in the empty lobby.
“About time,”
I reply, pushing off the chair and walking toward them.
Kam’s grin is wide as he drops his bag and pulls me into a bone-crushing hug. “Missed you, man.”
“Missed you too,”
I say, clapping him on the back before he steps aside for Lennox, who practically tackles me with his enthusiasm.
“You’re smaller than I remember,”
Lenn jokes, pulling me into a tighter hug than necessary.
“Yeah, yeah,”
I mutter, shoving at him playfully. “I’ve been lifting more than you, don’t kid yourself.”
Kam laughs, grabbing his bag. “Can’t believe it’s been so long. This video chat shit isn’t the same.”
“Tell me about it,”
I agree as we start walking toward the parking lot. “We’ve got a lot to catch up on, but let’s save some of it for the ride. You’re going to lose your minds when you see her.”
“I’m already losing my mind,”
Lenn says, tossing his bag into the trunk of my car. “You don’t understand, Jax. These delays were killing me. Watching her through a screen wasn’t cutting it.”
“She feels the same way,”
I assure him, sliding into the driver’s seat as Kam and Lenn pile into the car. “Every time we’d get off a call, she’d sit there staring at her phone, like it could somehow pull you two through it. It hasn’t been easy for her.”
Kam leans forward from the back seat, his expression serious. “How’s she holding up? Really?”
“She’s good,”
I reply, turning onto the freeway. “Better now that she knows you’re coming, even if she doesn’t know it’s today. Liam and I have been doing what we can to keep her happy, but you’ll see when we get there—she’s going to light up when you walk through the door.”
Lennox smirks, leaning his arm against the door. “What’s the plan, then? We just walk in and sweep her off her feet?”
“Something like that,”
I say, laughing. “Liam’s got her busy in the backyard, so when we pull up, he’ll keep her distracted. We’ll come in through the front, and when she sees you... well, I’m expecting tears.”
“Happy tears, I hope,”
Kam adds, his tone optimistic.
“Of course,”
I say, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. “She’s been counting down the days to see you both. You’re going to make her day just by showing up.”
The rest of the ride is filled with laughter and easy conversation, the kind of rhythm that only comes from brothers who know each other inside and out. Lenn and Kam take turns poking fun at me, but it’s all in good spirit, the banter flowing naturally after months apart.
When we finally pull into Avery’s driveway, the excitement in the car is palpable. I park and turn off the engine, glancing at my brothers with a grin.
“Alright,”
I say, unbuckling my seatbelt. “Let’s go surprise our girl.”