Page 28 of The MC's Little Brother

17

Melissa

Another early shift forced me out of my bed before I wanted to leave it, but I was glad now that I’d gotten up when I did. I missed the conversation that led to the fight, but it was clear things had gotten out of hand. Xander was shaking in his attempt to muffle his sobs, and Wraith looked downright heartbroken. It was obvious they weren’t going to get along without a little help. Which meant I’d need to take more time off. I couldn’t risk them getting into a fight like this when I wasn’t around to help them cool off. Xander looked like he was going to run away. That was too scary to fathom.

“Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to take some time off work, but I can’t skip today’s shift. Xander, you’re coming with me to work today. You can hang out at the nurse’s station and have a break. Wraith, I want you to go for a ride or something. Do whatever it is you do to clear your head. We’ll revisit this conversation once everyone has cooled off. Alright?”

Wraith didn’t put up a fight, which was surprising. It was like all the fight drained from him the minute he realized he made his brother cry.Xander didn’t give me an answer, but I didn’t really expect him to. He was too upset. Instead, I led him back upstairs to get dressed. We could pick up food on the way.

Wraith was gone by the time we came back downstairs. Xander wouldn’t look me in the eye and he kept his hood up, hiding his face and sniffling now and again. I had my work cut out for me getting those two to get along.

“Come on. I’m craving donuts. Let’s get going.”

He followed behind me without a word, staring out the window on the drive. I wanted to cuddle him and tell him it was okay, but I didn’t really feel like we were at that point yet. It’d only been a few days. Smothering him with hugs was more of a friends thing.

“Do you like chocolate?”

I saw him shrug out of the corner of my eye. Well, it wasn’t a no. And when we got in line at the donut shop and he got a look at the display, he looked at least mildly interested. Still closed off, but he didn’t make any faces of disgust when I ordered a dozen donuts and the double chocolate donut holes I absolutely loved. I put the box in the back seat, but took the cup of donut holes to the front, offering him some after I popped one into my mouth.

“I’ll share with you because you’re my musical bestie, but if I don’t eat these before we get to the hospital, the whole staff will decimate them. Help a sister out.” I wiggled the cup at him when he didn’t immediately reach for one, and he eventually relented, taking a donut from the cup.

I pulled back onto the main street while watching his reaction out of the corner of my eye. When his brows snapped together and he took another bite, I nodded sagely. “See? They’re just that good. Go ahead. Have some more. We can always grab another batch on the way home. That bakery is open all day.”

Slowly, he started eating and stopped making himself small. I noticed he did that earlier. He hunched in on himself when he thought he did something wrong. He was practically curled into a ball in the front seat, showing just how bad it got with him and Wraith. I wasn’t going to bring it up now, but I really wanted to know what made them blow up at each other.

We arrived at the hospital a little later than I normally would, butbecause I brought donuts, no one complained. Even Doctor O’Malley smiled at me when I showed him the box.

“You got me a plain one?”

“Yep. That one is all yours.” I pushed another one at Xander, since I knew half the cup of donut holes wasn’t filling enough for a growing boy. “Try this one. It’s got raspberry jelly in the middle. It’s amazing.”

He took it, following me out of the break room and over to the circulation desk, where another one of my favorite coworkers was on the phone. I handed him a sprinkle donut because I knew they were his favorite, and nudged Xander into one of the chairs next to me.

“Sit. Get comfy.”

“Am I allowed to be here?” he murmured, frowning at the mostly empty ER.

I waved away his concern, popping a bite of a chocolate donut into my mouth. “You’re fine. You won’t be going into any of the bays with me unless a patient invites you along. I figured we could find some cool games on your phone and chat. It’s gotta be better than dealing with Wraith’s crabby pants this morning.”

There it was again. He sank in on himself, frowning at his untouched donut. Putting my hand on his, I waited for him to look at me.

“I know he seems like a grouch, and he’s got the social skills of a toddler who needs a nap, but he really does care. He wouldn’t be working so hard to get custody of you if he didn’t.”

Xander shook his head slowly. “He doesn’t want me here.”

My eyebrows flew up. “Did he say that?”

“No,” he murmured, dropping his gaze again. “But he keeps asking how I got here and who else I’m related to. It feels like he’s looking for someone else to take me.” A tear slipped over his cheek and he dashed it away quickly. “There’s no one else. I looked.”

My heart broke for him, and even though it was probably too early, I had to ask. “Can I hug you? You look like you need a hug.”

He kept his gaze averted as he nodded his head. Standing, I wrapped my arms around his skinny shoulders, hugging him tightly. He buried his face against my belly and I heard a few hiccups as he fought back tears, but he didn’t get all awkward about it. He definitely needed more affection. I doubted his dad evergave him hugs.

“Is everything okay?” a familiar voice asked.

I looked over my shoulder, giving the social worker, Penny, a small smile. “Yeah, I think so. He’s got more healing to do, but…” I shrugged.

Penny nodded. “But that takes time. I understand. Mr. Ruiz?” She looked at Xander, waiting for him to pull away from me enough to look at her. His eyes were rimmed red, and he had tear stains on his cheeks and on my scrubs, but I didn’t mind that. I’d rather be soaked in tears than let him think for even a second that he was alone in all this.

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