Page 63 of Breaking the Habit

“You sure? Tammy might not get here for a half hour.”

Gage heaved an abnormally long sigh. “Yes, Levi. I’m sure.”

“Okay.” Levi ruffled Gage’s hair. “Just checking. You’re my baby brother, and you are soooo cute and special.” Levi hopped over the back of the couch and tormented Gage by pinching at his cheeks. Gage burst into laughter, fending off Levi’s affection attack.

“Stop it,” Gage groaned.

“You might be sixteen, but you’re still my precious Gagey,” Levi teased, snatching up the nearby blanket. “Oh my god, do you know what it’s time for?”

“Noooo!” Gage protested, unable to fight the grin.

“GAGE-ER-ITO,” Levi shouted, and then he wrapped Gage up in the blanket until he was trapped and practically crying with laughter.

“You…can’t…” Another round of laughter consumed him. “That’s not fair!”

“What’s the password?” Levi demanded, sitting gently on top of him so he couldn’t wriggle free.

“I don’t know!” Gage shouted.

“Yes, you do. Now what’s the password?”

“SOUR CREAM!”

Levi hopped off Gage and unrolled him while Gage collapsed with laughter.

“Great. I’m ready to go now—see you later, bro.”

Levi was all smiles as he left his apartment, Gage’s receding laughs still echoing in his head. Making his brother laugh like that on the daily—it was the only thing he needed to accomplish. Ensuring that Gage enjoyed life as much as possible.

Levi made a pitstop at a bodega on his way to Riley’s house, a store where he knew they had a secretly awesome selection of craft beers. He picked up a creative six pack—not that he’d be indulging, of course—and went on his way to face down the mother of all temptations.

Showing up with beer and not drinking was one thing.

Being within inches of Riley and not taking things to their natural conclusion—that was an entirely different type of challenge.

Riley answered the front door on the first knock; maybe she’d been lurking and waiting for him.

She gasped when she saw the six pack. “You brought fun beer?”

She pulled him inside, pushing up onto her toes to kiss him on the cheek as the door swung shut behind him.

“To celebrate you being back,” Levi explained, snagging her at the waist so she fell flush against him. He swayed back and forth, coaxing another kiss from her, then another. His cock stiffened immediately. He was in trouble. “After a month away.”

“Ten days,” she corrected.

“You missed so many amazing photo opportunities,” Levi teased. “You probably shouldn’t leave like that again.”

Her smile was infectious. He wasn’t exaggerating. The ten days had felt more like a month. And he’d missed looking into her pretty brown eyes more than he’d expected.

“I’ll be sure to never schedule another vacation again,” Riley said, feigning seriousness.

“Did you at least have fun?” He already knew she did. They’d texted every day. She’d even sent him a sexy oceanside selfie that included a nip slip.

“Yeah.” She sighed. “My family wasmy family, but it wasn’t all bad.”

Levi’s chest tightened. Better to steer away from family talk. It usually didn’t end well.

Nikki appeared at the end of the hallway, an eyebrow arched severely. “Are you two ever going to move away from the front door or what?”

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