We all headed toward the kitchen, Lucas taking the lead as they idly chit-chatted with each other catching up on anything and everything that they had missed.
I hung behind, not joining in the conversation. I felt out of place, I had nothing I was really willing to share with Jace or Gabriel.
I leaned against the door frame, listening to everyone but also lost in thought, picking at the strings that fell from the sleeves of Lucas’ old jacket.
“Come here often?” Gabriel laughed leaning against the other side of the door frame.
“Yeah sure daily for the last few days. How about you?” I slid my hands further into the coat.
I was uncomfortable talking to people, and Gabe reminded me of a human golden retriever. Pure energy.
“We visit monthly, so don’t be surprised when we show back up. Lucas tries to act like a hardass and him and Jace fight a lot, but they're still brothers. Luca is just overprotective since Stephen and Marie died.”
“What happened? How old were they?”
“I’m not the right person to ask. Just let Lucas tell you when he’s ready. He has plenty of stuff in his past that isn’t pretty.”
“Can I join this talk?” Lucas wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed my shoulder.
“It’s nothing all that important. Now, onto what is important. Jace’s birthday is in 3 days and I am taking him to a lovely hotel where I will climb him like a tree. Where is the best place to do that?”
“Okay, again Gabe, gross. If you wanted to go to a nice place you should have stayed back in Cleveland. This is a tiny ass town, you idiot.”
“Fine fine, Luca. Keep your secrets. I will find one. We’ll probably leave the hotel and head back home. I hope you won't be lonely without me.”
“I have never once been lonely without you Gabe and I don't plan to start this week.”
Gabriel stuck out his tongue and walked over to Jace, who was digging through the fridge.
“I’m hungry, what do you guys do for food?” Jace looked over at us and rested his chin on the top of Gabriel’s head.
“The last few days we’ve had sandwiches or I’ve just ordered food. Let’s get Chinese. It’s the easiest,” Lucas was already pulling his phone out to take the order, “Addi, what do you want?”
I had been leaning back into Lucas and had barely been listening to any of the conversations.
“Um… what do I?”
“What do you want off this menu for dinner?” Lucas held his phone in front of me so I could scroll through the menu.
“I’ll just have whatever you get. I’m not picky.”
“Okay baby boy,” Lucas smiled then dropped his voice to a whisper and pressed his lips to my ear, “I know you’re probably overwhelmed with them and I’ll be happy to take your mind off it later okay?” He punctuated his sentence by softly biting my ear lobe.
A small yelp escaped my lips and I quickly covered my mouth, trying to hide the blush that was building on my cheeks.
“Hey, no fair. Why don’t I ever get to do stuff like that to you?” Gabriel pouted looking up at Jace.
“You’re short,” Jace shrugged and kissed the top of Gabriel's head again.
Lucas and I fell into a fit of giggles and we all took a seat at the table while waiting for the food to arrive.
The idle conversation about how we had met, and any information on my past I was willing to share helped the time to pass quickly and the food finally arrived.
Setting the table, I helped Lucas serve the food and get everyone settled.
I sat back down next to Lucas and smiled at Jace and Gabriel.
“Thank you both for coming. I’m sorry if my being here was a shock. It’s still a shock for me too.”
“It’s a bit strange that my brother opened his home to someone after all that has happened to him, but it’s nice to see him smile,” Jace reached across the table and patted Lucas’ arm, “Anyways with that, let’s eat.”
Dinner passed by quickly, uneventful, just the sounds of people eating and drinking, broken by the occasional conversation or laugh.
I had never handled company well and I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed when Jace and Gabriel kept trying to pry past information from me. Reaching under the table, I squeezed Lucas’ thigh in the hope that it would help anchor me. Lucas covered my hand with his own and squeezed, looking at me before turning back to Jace and Gabriel.
“So, I think it’s about time you guys told Adrian how you met.”
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