Page 31 of Just Is Not Enough

“Timer starts now, then all bets are off.” Connor checks his watch. We all share a laugh, except Ender. Surprisingly, his sullen expression has changed though, and his eyes track Gabe leaving the group instead. Interesting.

“I’m going to grab a beer, you want one?” Gabe asks as he walks towards the bar.

“Yeah, thanks.” I call after him then take a seat with Kaden on the empty couch, laying my arm across the back behind his shoulders.

“Jackson text. They’re on their way.” Faith announces, face in her phone as Dakota arrives.

“What’s up, guys? Cousin, you decided to join the land of the living.” He chuckles taking a seat next to Faith, staring at my arm around Kaden.

Faith scoots away from Dakota so their legs are no longer touching. Dakota notices, “Hi Faith.”

She smiles with pursed lips, wincing her eyes in what seems like disdain. Poor guy has no shot with her, but I commend his persistence.

He moves on to introducing himself to Connor and Ender. Connor conspicuously checks his watch and looks at Kaden who shakes his head at him. I decide I really like Connor. I can see why Kaden is friends with him. His antics should make for a good time tonight.

Gabe returns with my beer in hand and glances toward Ender, noticing him for the first time. Gabe moves with purpose, sitting right next to him on the third couch in the squared space we have taken over.

Everyone joins in the conversation, getting to know each other. My hand behind Kaden, having a mind of its own apparently, moves around the nape of his neck, thumb drawing circles on his warm skin. He leans into it, giving me that comforting feeling that he wants the connection as much as I do.

“Oh, my Goddesses! What are you all doing here?” Lanie screeches from behind us. As soon as I turn, I see Jackson’s eyes set on my hand, then dart to mine. Kaden jumps up to give his sister a hug causing a distraction.

Lanie introduces Jackson to Kaden, formally. Jackson makes his way to me as Lanie goes around the group handing out more hugs and cheek kisses.

“Happy Birthday, brother.” My eyes flash to Kaden as his find mine. The look on his face tells me I might be in trouble.

“Thanks, man. Here to celebrate hers though, not mine.” He nods getting the point, our typical greeting of hands clasps at our chests and pats on the back.

Lanie joins us giving me the strongest hug imaginable from such a tiny woman, and a look that conveys she knows everything I thought she didn’t. “Nice to finally meet you, Luke.”

“You too, Lanie. Happy Birthday.” Jackson hugs her from behind pulling her down on the fourth couch, she giggles as they complete the gathering of new friends all around.

“Times up! How dare your family have genes to pass on like this? Is everyone in your family beyond fuckable? Geez” Connor announces, his eyes staring in amazement moving from Jackson, to me, then to Dakota. He leans around Ender to question Gabe, “Are you really in the family? Because those genes spread to you, too.”

“For Christ’s sake, Connor will you control your hormones tonight, please?” Ender speaks up finally.

“Hush yourself. Let me ogle them in peace.” They begin to bicker like siblings. The rest of us laughing at them.

We resume conversation like we’re all old friends. Our animated group is all that exists around us. My mind rejoices at the feeling of connectedness to all the people around me, even the ones I only met tonight. Besides my aunts, Jackson, and Dakota, Gabe is the only one I’ve had that with for the longest time. I barely see my parents for reasons I don’t care to think about right now. I want to focus on the here and now.

We share stories, laughing at each other’s mishaps and shenanigans we created as teenagers. Gabe, Kaden, Ender, and I wind up debating who’s hockey team is heading towards the finals. Gabe being a Canadiens’ fan and Ender a Bruins’s fan, known rival teams, get into a petty argument that looks more like foreplay if I’m being honest.

Watching their bantering, I look over at Kaden and my heart stutters seeing the vibrant smile across his face from spending time with friends. He catches me staring at him and coyly smiles.

I lean into his ear, “Come get another drink with me.” He nods as I get up and extend my hand to help him off the couch. I see Jackson’s eyes on us from my periphery. I’m sure I’ll be answering some of his questions later.

I lead Kaden to the bar. Making space for him next to me, we face each other. Our eyes meet and I immediately feel his seductive gaze pull me into his orbit. Taking hold of the back of his neck, I complete the connection of his lips to mine, rendering the invisible threads tethering us together useless.

The kiss is gentle, savoring it before we remember we’re in public. I pull away and see the bartender glance our way, nodding to acknowledge him.

“Hey guys what can I get you?” He’s tall and covered in tattoos with a neatly, cared for beard.

I order our beers while Kaden’s hand finds its way under the hem of my shirt, latching onto my side above the waistline of my jeans. When I turn back to face him there’s heat behind his eyes.

“You need to control those eyes of yours, otherwise I’ll be dragging you out of here like a caveman and fucking you bare over the hood of my truck.”

His Adam’s apple’s reflexive movement is obvious as he swallows hard, no doubt visualizing the scene I created for him.

Kaden doesn’t get a chance to respond when Faith joins us. “Please someone get me a dozen shots of Tequila so I can make it through the rest of the night.” Her eyes bounce from Kaden to me, neither of us looking away from each other.

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