Anti-Stepbrother(93)
“Avery, huh? At your place?”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t even start.”
“But you see, I have to. I have to start. Avery’s my friend. I’m hanging out with your brother. You and I are classmates. I think we can develop our friendship to the stage where I give you shit. We should even start sitting next to each other in class.”
“Don’t press your luck.”
I kept going, “It’s a natural progression. Don’t fight it, Marcus. It’s like evolution. Don’t fight evolution. You’ll never win. Mother nature is a bitch. She’s always going to win.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“How I get to give you shit. It’s an amazing experience in life, like giving birth. It’s painful for one person, but breathtaking for another. I’m the baby here. I get to feel air for the first time on my skin. Let me breathe, Marcus. Let me put my baby lungs to work and scream.”
“I swear you’re making me even sicker.”
“If you gotta puke, don’t suppress. It’s a natural body process.”
He eyed me a moment. “Did you rhyme that on purpose?”
“Maybe. Or I might be crazy?” I winked. “Or just a classy lady?”
“Stop. I’m really going to puke now.” He groaned, pressing his arm against his forehead. “I was going to tease you back about Caden, but forget it. I don’t think I have the energy to deal with your rhyming.”
“I’ve been told I’m amazing like that.”
“Who told you that?”
“Who hasn’t is the real question.”
“You’re not making sense.”
“I do that too. That’s very true.” I wondered if I should find him a bag, in case he actually was going to upchuck.
“You just made me excited for when Caden and Colton finally show up. I thought I was nervous about seeing them, but no. It’s you. My nerves can’t handle you.”
I had another joke ready and was about to let it fly when I looked across the parking lot. The words died in my throat.
Caden and a guy that had Marcus’ face and Marcus’ height—close to six feet—walked toward us. Colton’s brown hair was lighter and longer than Marcus’, the ends framing his face in a wispish manner. As they approached I could also see that their eyes were a little different. Colton’s had slight hints of amber in them, like Caden’s. Marcus’ mirrored his hair color, a dark mocha.
My nerves came back in an instant. My hands shook, so I smoothed them down my pants.
Marcus straightened and looked over his shoulder. He took a step toward them.
Taking a deep breath, I got out of the Land Rover. I had no words. For once.
“Hey, man.” Marcus held a hand out.
His lookalike looked at that, lifted the corner of his mouth in a crooked grin, and grabbed Marcus’ hand. He jerked him forward. “What the fuck is that? You hug a brother. You don’t shake hands.” He wrapped his arms around Marcus. After a second, Marcus lifted his arms and hugged him back.
When they stepped back, Colton kept a hand on Marcus’ shoulder. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too.”
Marcus bobbed his head up and down, grabbing a fistful of Colton’s shirt. He rested his hand on his shoulder and tugged him back in for a second hug.
Caden stayed back, watching the exchange. His eyes found mine, and I saw the same strain from before, but some of it had lifted. After his brothers separated a second time, he held up a closed fist. “What are you doing here, man?”
Marcus met it with his own fist. “Stepping up.”
Colton grinned from ear to ear. “About damned time. Now that Caden’s settling down, I’m going to need you to take me out. I need a girlfriend too.”
Caden laughed. “I think Avery’s got some friends. Right, Marcus?”
“Avery?” Colton looked between his brothers. “Who’s Avery? Is she the girl from before?”
Marcus stiffened. “That was Maggie.”
“Avery was before her.”
“And she’s back again? Damn. I really do need to hang out with you more.” Then Colton turned to me and held his hand out. “You gotta be Summer.”
I couldn’t do anything.
I saw the pain, the sadness, and the storm in his eyes. I could see into him. He wasn’t just Marcus’ lookalike. He was Caden too. He had Caden’s eyes. He was so much like Caden, it took my breath away. Then I saw an undercurrent of strength, a determination to keep going, and more. I couldn’t put my finger on everything, but suddenly, and so completely, I was awed.
My voice came out a hoarse squeak. “Hi.”