Page 47 of Just Is Not Enough

“I will when you stop hogging my brother.”

“Touché.” I barely have the word out when Jackson greets me as he did his brother. I see Luke smiling in my peripheral over Jackson’s shoulder.

We all get back to our assigned duties while banter and laughter fill the room. It doesn’t escape me how Luke and Jackson both started out silently observing before joining in with us.

Surprisingly, dinner goes smoothly without too much damage by the stories our parents tell about Lanie and me as children. Our guys even join in telling us about the shenanigans they got into growing up. Dakota involved in most of them, seemingly a third sibling if you didn’t know any better. I imagine they were all close to help support each other given the stories Luke told me about their family issues.

Lanie practically jumps out of her chair once she sees everyone has finished eating, “Okay, losers let’s go. Clean up starts now. Game time starts in 20 minutes. Prepare to get your asses kicked.”

Along with Lanie’s bubbly personality, comes the biggest shit-talker when it comes to competitions of any kind. Learning from the best, she gives my dad a run for his money.

“In your dreams, you haven’t won a game in over a month. Watch the old man school you right in front of your boyfriend.” Dad has no qualms about calling Lanie out. Their competitive natures are a great source of comedy in this household.

The next couple hours go by fast between the constant ribbing and debating on who’s strategy is better. My father and Lanie being involved in every one of them.

I see Luke check his watch. Grabbing my phone, noticing it’s already past nine just as I get a text message from an unknown number.

I do miss you. You know you miss me too.

My heartbeat picks up its pace, having a pretty good idea who the message came from. I block the number and shove it back in my pocket. When I glance back up, Luke is watching me with questioning eyes. He mouths ‘you okay?’

“Wrong number, I guess.” I won’t be entertaining Tyler’s newfound interest in me after more than a year of silence. I also don’t want to worry Luke with his nonsense. He doesn’t need to know all the details of what an asshole Tyler really was to me. I don’t doubt he would confront Tyler about it. “We do need to get going soon, though. I have a busy day tomorrow.”

We finish cleaning up the games and say our goodbyes. Jackson and Lanie walk out with us. We all make plans to hang out at The Garden tomorrow night since Stonewood’s is closed on Mondays.

“Is everything okay? You looked upset by the text message.” Luke asks as soon as we get in the Jeep.

“Yeah, I think it was a wrong number. I blocked it so they don’t bother me again.” His expression is indifferent. I’m hoping that’s the end of the subject. I probably should have told him, but I am only assuming its Tyler. Maybe it’s just a wrong number which means I would only be making a big deal out of nothing then. Leaving it alone for now is best. I just wish I didn’t feel like I was hiding this from Luke.

Technically, you are. He would want to know.

Chapter Twenty-Seven Part One

Sometimes He’s Not an Angel

Luke

LastnightKadenwasacting weird about the text message he received at his parents’ house. I have a feeling who it was, but I am more concerned about Kaden’s reaction. I’m glad he blocked Tyler immediately. I never doubt Kaden’s fidelity. My problem with this is Tyler blatantly ignoring my warning and Kaden worried about telling me in fear of what I will do to Tyler. Which is a very valid fear. I may or may not have texted Jackson last night to see if there was a way to find Tyler’s home or work address in the city’s system. He was adamant he couldn’t risk his job, even if we did have his last name, which we don’t. Otherwise, I’d be scouring the internet for him. I decided to ask Ender tonight for Tyler’s last name. I hate involving him, but Tyler needs to be put in his place. I honestly don’t think Ender will mind either, given his protectiveness over Kaden is as much as mine.

I arrive at Kaden’s place to pick him up, clearing my mind before he gets in. I don’t want to ruin tonight by making Kaden worry any more than he is about all this. His anxiety must be through the roof. After I speak to Tyler I’ll tell Kaden to ease his mind more.

“Hey, Angel. You need to stop looking so edible when we go out or I’m going to turn into a bar room brawler fighting your admirers off,” I say as Kaden gets in, his shoulders shaking, assuming my statement is just a joke.

“Who says I wouldn’t want to see you go all neanderthal in a fit of jealousy? That’s kind of hot, Luke.”

“Thanks for your permission to cause a scene if anyone does hit on you, or even look at you, possibly even breathe on you.” He shakes his head at me. I don’t even have to ask for affection with Kaden as I feel the softness of his lips connect with mine. I’ll never get tired of his touch. It expresses his love for me as much as his words do, both filling that void in my heart.

Having the love of my aunts growing up and then Gabe once we met and became brothers in a sense, is different than the love Kaden shows me. I always had that feeling of something missing that I figured was due to my parents’ lack of affection. Although parental love is unique in its own way, I realize now it wasn’t what I needed all along. Kaden is exactly what I needed.

We make small talk until we get to the bar where everyone have already started the first round. Gabe greets me with a beer and a smile that I know is partly because Ender is standing by his side. He keeps pretending he isn’t head over heels for the guy, but I know better. Gabe the bachelor is now off the market to much sorrow of his fan club, which is pretty big given his looks and big personality. Talk about opposites attract with Ender.

“Hey brother, glad you finally made it. You’re buying next round for being late.” Gabe doles out my punishment like it wasn’t going to happen anyway.

“Hey guys. Sorry we’re late. What did we miss?” Kaden asks as Connor and Faith make room on the big couch for us.

“Well, Faith and Dakota have been arguing about which series was better, The Wire or The Sopranos.” Connor cups his mouth and leans into Kaden, “which sounds more like foreplay for them if you ask me.” He continues loud enough for everyone else to hear him now, “You know where Faith and I stand on that, The Wire all the way.“ Connor’s eyes flicker closed at the obviousness of his statement. “Dakota swears by The Sopranos, insisting the psychological aspect is more interesting. Then of course you know Lanie has to throw in her two cents saying Breaking Bad is better than both of them. Jackson obviously agrees with her because he doesn’t want to be in the doghouse.” He comes up for air as he often has to with his rambling. “Lastly, Ender and Gabe are pretending to not be making heart eyes at each other like the rest of us have no idea what’s going on with them.”

Everyone’s eyes are on Connor in disbelief, regardless of us knowing he has zero filter.

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