Page 22 of Chasing Xander
“There’s a new café downtown. I hear they have a killer soup and sandwich combo, and everything’s homemade.” Not that he could eat; his father’s unexpected visit had turned his stomach in knots.
“Sounds good.”
Climbing into his father’s rental car and buckling his seat belt, Xander asked, “When are you heading back to New York?”
“My plane leaves at ten thirty.” His father left the campus and headed to the café. It was a quick, five-minute drive. “I could have taken an earlier flight, but I wanted to stop by and see you.”
“Well, don’t I feel special.” He grinned.
“Yeah, you’re special all right.” His father smiled faintly in a teasing manner.
The knot in Xander’s stomach loosened. They parked and walked into the café. The decor was modern and quaint. A waitress walked by, smiling, and said, “Sit wherever you’d like. I’ll be over in a jiff.”
His father led the way to a table, and they sat. Menus were tucked behind the napkin dispenser, and Xander grabbed one. “You’re buying, right?”
Dad laughed. “Yes, I’m buying.”
They were silent for a few moments. Xander bounced his leg and glanced around. His father wasn’t the type to beat around the bush, so the fact that he hadn’t said much caused Xander’s mind to race. Once he settled on what he wanted to eat, he closed the menu and folded his arms on top of it. “All right, what’s the real reason for this visit?”
Closing his menu, his father rubbed his hands over his face. “Your mother’s birthday is coming up in a few weeks.”
“Yeah, I know.” He and his brothers usually went in on a big gift for her, and he’d been meaning to call Tanner and Ryder to find out what they were planning to do this year.
“I’m throwing her a surprise party, and I know it would mean a lot to her if you boys were there. The party will be on Saturday, so you guys can fly home Friday after classes and leave Sunday.”
Xander nodded.
“I’ll pay for your plane tickets home.”
Wow. He sat back, eyes wide with shock. Since they’d gotten their trust funds, his father rarely paid for things, except the essentials, like college tuition and health insurance.
The waitress arrived at their table. “You ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?”
“No, I think we’re ready.” Xander’s father nodded at him to go first, then reopened his menu.
“I’ll have the roast beef deluxe combo, please.”
Jotting it down on her pad, she nodded. “What kind of soup would you like with that?”
“Oh, I’ll have the onion soup. Extra mozzarella. And a Mountain Dew.”
She turned her attention to his father. “And for you, sir?”
“That sounds good. I’ll have the same.” He smiled.
“Great. I’ll be back with your drinks, and your food will be out shortly.” She spun on her heel and walked away.
“Mom’s going to love the party,” Xander said. Then again, his mother loved anything that involved getting the whole family together.
“That’s what I’m hoping. Aunt Mel is helping me plan it.”
“Do Ryder and Tanner know?”
“Not yet.”
Xander narrowed his eyes. It was odd that he’d be the first to know. As the oldest, Ryder was normally the first one to be told anything, and then he’d relay the information to him and Tanner. That only confirmed his suspicions—there was more to this visit. “I can tell them if you want. We need to figure out a gift for Mom, anyway.”
Dad nodded thoughtfully. “Good. Look, Xander, I was a little hard on you this summer.”
