Page 37 of Xavier

“We wanted to surprise you,” he said in my ear.

Well, they sure as hell succeeded.

Out of any kind of surprise they could’ve given me,thiswas by far the best one. I’d spent the last two weeks lamenting about spending the holidays by myself and here these two were—conspiring behind my back like the lovable little shits they were.

Greyson stepped back from our hug, a wide smile resting on his face. His hair was longer and shaggier than when I last saw him, while his brother’s was shaved back to a military cut.

They both looked good.

Happy.

Healthy.

Just how I’d wanted them to be.

“Aw, a happy family reunion!” Ellie clapped. “The Captain’s going to be thrilled. You guys are coming to the Christmas party, right?”

The twins exchanged a look.

“Is there free food?” Asher asked. “If so, count me in.”

“Ditto,” his brother quickly replied.

“Hey, my kinda guys.” Quinn offered them both a high five.

“Funny,” I said and then nodded to the box. “What’s all that?”

Asher hid behind his twin. “You can’t open it until Christmas.”

Oh boy... that didn’t give off a foreboding feeling or anything. The last time my brothers surprised me with something and refused to let me open it until Christmas morning, I’d gotten a lovely prank spring-loaded whipped pie to the face and two newly turned teenagers cackling endlessly while they recorded the entire thing.

Now that they were actually adults withreal adult money,I couldn’t even imagine what was waiting for me inside of that mystery box.

“We’ve got our bags outside,” Greyson said, gesturing to the side door. “We took a rideshare here from the airport.”

“I can’t believe you two got your flights to come in at the same time and got all the way here without me knowing.” As much as I was impressed with their planning, I was damn proud, too. Look how independent I’d taught them to be!

“Ash’s plane didn’t get in for a few hours, so I was stuck waiting in one of the terminal chairs.” Greyson raised his hands above his head, stretching long enough that there was an audible pop that had his body relaxing instantly. “I can’t wait to sleep in an actual bed for once.”

Oh shit.

“Uh, actually...” Fuck, I totally forgot about my guests. “That might be a problem.”

Asher laughed. “I told you he turned your room into an office. You owe me five bucks.”

“No way,” Greyson’s eyes met mine. “You didn’t, did you?”

“No!”

“He’s definitely lying,” Zander said, ever the pot-stirrer.

What the hell.

“I didn’t.”

“Wait, I thought your boyfriend was up?” Quinn asked, his brows knitting together in confusion, most likely rethinking our entire earlier conversation.

To my left, Ellie gasped. “You got your boyfriend to come visit? He can come to the party!”

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