Page 53 of Free Me

Linus glanced at the alarm clock. “Feels early because we had a long day yesterday. It’s actually almost ten. My parents let us sleep in. Wait, where’s brunch today?”

“No idea. I think my parents are going to Peyton’s place, but I didn’t confirm I’d be anywhere.” Miko rested his palm over Linus’s heart. “Except with you. It doesn’t sound like you had definitive plans.”

“I’m impressed I remembered it’s brunch day at all. Days have been running together since I got out of rehab. Things were so much more structured there, so I could manage my days better.”

“Maybe you need to start using the calendar app on your mobile.”

Linus chuckled. “Layne told me the same thing the other day when I was almost late for my therapy appointment.”

“Layne sounds like a smart big brother. You should listen to him.”

“He’s the best big brother in the universe.”

“Do Aven, Tarius and Demir know that?”

Despite Miko’s teasing tone, Linus still frowned. “I have no idea what Demir knows, and as much as I love lounging here with you, I need to pee.” Running away from the conversation was cowardly, and it wasn’t as if he could get out of bed quickly anyway. Thankfully, Miko didn’t press on his comment while Linus got up on his crutches and headed for the bathroom.

When he was finished, he paused in the hallway to listen. The house was quiet and he didn’t smell anything cooking, so they definitely weren’t hosting brunch. Miko joined him in the hall, still yawning, jeans in one hand and scratching his stomach with the other. Linus took a moment to admire Miko in Linus’s clothes.

“If I take a shower, can I borrow a shirt?” Miko asked.

“Of course. I’ll grab a shirt and clean boxers for you.” He nearly offered a pair of his own jeans, just to see Miko wearing them. And they’d actually fit, because Miko was tall for an omega. Taller than his own alpha brother Peyton. Linus loved that he and Miko were almost the same size.

He got the clothes and handed them over to Miko. Miko kissed him lightly on the mouth, and then went into the bathroom. Tarius’s bedroom was empty. Linus investigated the living room and kitchen, and he found both empty, too. The whiteboard on the fridge had a message in Dad’s familiar scrawl, telling him that he and Papa had gone to the Danvers house for brunch. Mystery solved. Although, if he’d bothered checking his mobile, he probably had a text.

He made a pot of coffee, and then rummaged in the fridge for something to eat. Nothing stood out and it was too early to order a pizza. Maybe they could go out someplace. Weekend brunch was incredibly popular all around the province, though, so restaurants would be super-crowded. Perks might not be too bad at this time of the morning, because they only offered baked goods, not sandwiches.

Linus returned to his room, found his phone on the floor by his discarded jeans, and checked his texts. As expected, Papa had texted him with their plans. Tarius texted that he’d be at Aven’s house for brunch. He had not expected to find a text from Demir, but Linus was still disappointed not to find one. Disappointed but not surprised.

Ugh. He really needed to stop caring so much.

Linus wasn’t aware of walking to his bedroom window and staring out at the gray, winter day—not until Miko said his name. Linus turned, momentarily forgetting he was on his crutches, and he lost his balance. Miko was there in an instant, helping him not fall on his face like an idiot. Miko’s hair was still damp and he smelled like Linus’s soap.

“You were a million miles away,” Miko said. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I was trying to figure out what to do for food.” Partial truth. “There’s nothing exciting in the fridge. How about I take a quick shower and we go out? You and me.”

Miko beamed. “I’d love that. Are you sure? You were pretty nervous the other night.”

“I’m positive. I’m kind of craving a cranberry scone from Perks, but if you want something else, we can go wherever you want.”

“Perks sounds perfect. I haven’t been there for food since the accident.”

“Really? Your parents own it.”

“I know, but it never felt right going there to enjoy coffee and a muffin while you were stuck indoors. First at the hospital and then rehab, but now that you’re home and have some freedom, we can go together.” He slid closer and put his hands on Linus’s waist. “I can go back with my bondmate by my side.”

“I love hearing you say that word. Bondmate. Who knew we were under each other’s nose this entire time?”

“Just like our brothers.”

Linus flinched.

“What?” Miko wrapped his hand around the back of Linus’s neck, and the gentle touch kept Linus from looking away. “What did I say?”

“Nothing, I’m just not awake yet. I brewed coffee?—”

“Hey, I know you, Linus. Something is bothering you. You got weird before about Demir, and then I mentioned our brothers again, and you looked mad for a second.” He gently pulled Linus forward until they could sit on the side of the bed. Linus leaned the crutches against the mattress and tried to wrangle his racing thoughts into something manageable.

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