Page 88 of Undeniable Love

Two things he wanted nothing to do with right now.

“Look, I’m sure you know what happened this morning, and I’m not really going to be the best company,” Jax told him. “So…”

“You don’t need to worry about me,” his brother assured him. “I am completely content to just hang out and maybe play video games with you. I’m sure after a long day of practice and meetings, you’re dying to decompress. I ordered dinner from that barbecue place you’re always raving about. It should be here any minute.”

“Simon…I really just wanted to…”

“Sit and pout. Yeah, that’s what I figured. But wouldn’t it be better to pout with a full stomach? And maybe while you kick my ass at some video game that I’ve probably never played?”

Laughing softly, he shook his head. “That sounds slightly more appealing…”

“Excellent! Then it’s a plan! Why don’t you go do whatever it is you’ve got to do—shower, change clothes, whatever—and I’ll let you know when the food gets here?”

“Okay. Great. Thanks.” He was barely to his bedroom when the doorbell rang.

“Food’s here!” Simon sang out happily.

Groaning, Jax trudged to his bedroom and changed into a pair of gray sweatpants and a t-shirt. By the time he came back out, Simon was calling out from the basement that he’d set up dinner down there.

“Holy crap, Simon,” he said with a laugh. “How hungry did you think I was?” There was enough food there for at least a half-dozen people.

“It all sounded so good that I couldn’t decide. Plus…leftovers, right?” He sat down and turned on the TV. “I also grabbed a couple of beers and several bottles of water. You’re home and not driving, so one beer won’t hurt.”

It was hard to argue with that, so he sat down and forced himself to relax. “Thanks, bro. I appreciate this.”

“Hey, my pleasure. I adore Juliette’s family, but she’s going to stay with them and if you thought her old place in the city was tiny, imagine that but more cluttered. Nana’s a bit of a hoarder.”

“Yikes.” Making himself a plate, he nodded with approval. “You picked all my favorites. Good job.”

“You talk about this place a lot, so I figured I couldn’t go wrong with whatever I chose.”

Once they were both a few forkfuls in, he asked, “So, how long are you planning on staying?”

“Three or four days tops. I hope that’s okay.”

It was actually more than okay. Now that he’d had a few minutes to think about it, this was probably the best thing for him. Turning his head, he smiled sadly at his brother. “It’s good,” he said gruffly. “And…thank you. I mean, I’m sorry that Juliette’s grandfather got hurt, but I’m thankful that you’re here.”

And he hated to have to admit that because he liked to be the one to come to the rescue of his brothers. This was brand new territory for him to realize that he needed them too.

“So, what are we playing? And remember, be nice. I don’t play video games as often as you do, but while you’re at practice tomorrow, I plan on learning everything I can so I can at least be a bit of a challenge when we have a rematch.”

And that’s how it went for the next several days. Simon stayed until Thursday afternoon, and they said goodbye when Jax had to head to the stadium for a game. The Warriors played their best game of the season, and he was riding high when he walked out of the locker room later that night and found Noah standing there waiting for him. “What is happening right now?” he asked excitedly. “What on earth are you doing here?”

Walking over, his brother hugged him. “I’m meeting with a client tomorrow over in Colwich and decided to fly in early and catch the game! And I’m totally crashing with you!”

“Hell yeah! Wow! This is a great surprise!”

“Come on, let’s go grab something to eat. You’ve got to be starving. I ate a bit during the game, but I was hoping we could hit someplace with proper food and silverware.”

That made Jax laugh. “Um…or we can pick up something on the way home and eat in peace and quiet,” he suggested. “I wish I had known you were coming. Simon just left this afternoon. We could’ve totally had a boys’ night. It’s been a while since it was just the three of us.”

“Hmm…that would’ve been awesome,” Noah agreed. “Hang on a sec. I just need to text Lily that I did indeed find you and I’m not roaming the stadium aimlessly.”

“Dude, seriously? Why do you guys have to tell each other everything?”

“Oh, leave him alone,” Simon called out as he came out of the shadows. “I think it’s precious.”

“Okay, reel it in,” Noah murmured. “And for the record, I was texting Simon.”

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