Page 127 of Northern Stars

He didn’t know how much hearing that word leave his mouth healed the panic attack I was in the middle of.

“You always have those?” he asked.

“Have what?”

“Panic attacks?”

How did he…?

“Don’t overthink it,” he said as he reached his car. “I’m just really fucking good at reading people. You can follow me to my place in your car.”

Damian lived on a huge coastline property, with a massive mansion, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a gigantic swimming pool. The landscaping was stunning, and even though the property was large, it had an odd warmth to it. You could tell it was an actual home as opposed to a mansion. There was a lot of love within those walls.

Cars were parked all around his driveway as we pulled up, and after we parked, he looked over at me. “Are you a people person?” he asked.

“Yeah. I can be.”

“What are your thoughts on kids?”

“I love them.”

“Good, because there are like fifty million rugrats running through this place, a hormonal pregnant wife named Stella who will probably cry when she sees you, and our two best friend couples who have a collection of their own kiddos.”

“Sounds like a good time.”

“Or a circus, depending on how you look at it. Come on.” Damian walked me up the front porch, and when he opened the front door, two kids went dashing through the space. “Slow down, jerks!” Damian hollered.

“Sorry, Uncle Damian!” the girl shouted.

“Yeah, sorry, Dad!” the boy responded before they continued their journey.

“You’re home!” a beautiful woman said as she walked over to Damian. She gave him a kiss and then turned to me. “And you brought a…friend?” she questioned, smiling my way.

“A brother,” Damian corrected. He gestured toward me. “This is my brother Aiden.”

“Brother?” Stella asked, stunned.

“Apparently good ole Catherine had another kid,” Damian explained. “You know how good she is about keeping shit to herself.”

Stella’s eyes glassed over as emotions hit her fast. Her hand covered her mouth. “Oh my goodness, you have a brother!” she exclaimed, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Don’t be dramatic and cry,” Damian told his wife.

“Don’t call me dramatic!” she replied, hitting his chest. Then she turned to him and cupped his face in her hands. “You always wanted a brother.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “I know.”

She kissed her husband, and then turned to me. She rushed over and pulled me into a hug and welcomed me with arms wide open. She then cupped my face and smiled. “He always wanted a brother.”

I smirked. “I did, too.”

“Oh my goodness. You two look remarkably similar. This is wild.”

“What’s wild?” someone asked as they walked into the room. The moment he saw me, he almost dropped the glass in his hand. “Holy shit.”

“What is it?” Damian asked.

“What is it?! Dude! Why the hell is Superman standing in your living room?!” he asked. “Holy shit!”

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