Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

DOM

TWO MONTHS LATER

"Don't worry," Cage says, taking my hand and squeezing. "He's got this."

"I know. It's not just that." We find a good parking spot in front of Vinni's and get out. Today is Xander's official first day of running the restaurant. He's done well for the last few months. But what if he messes up now? Callie and Mom leave for their trip tonight. I'm still not calling Callie mom or calling Mom Sophia. With time, maybe.

We hold hands as we cross the street, but Cage pulls me into his arms before we enter. "You have a big heart, Dom. And I love that about you. Xander will do fine. If he messes up, and he will at some point, he'll figure it out. Erik will be right there."

"I know." I bite my lip. It shouldn't bother me that Xander has someone else. And it doesn't really, but I've always been a constant in his life. And now I'm not. Cage and I live in Grandville for now as we try to get his catering business off the ground.

"You know what else I love?"

Getting to be with Cage and not caring what anyone thinks is the most amazing part of this. I wiggle my eyebrows. "My big—biceps?"

He laughs. "You. All of you." His kiss is short and sweet. We have people inside waiting for us. A whole bunch of people.

The restaurant isn't open for dinner for another hour, but the room isn't empty. It's full of staff and family.

"Hey, guys," Erik says, hurrying over to us. "Can I borrow you for a minute, Dom?"

Not waiting for an answer, he pulls me away from the others. "What's up? Is Xander okay?"

"No. He's freaking out."

"Not unusual. Remember last month at Navy Pier, he had a meltdown."

"Too many people."

"The point is you helped ground him."

"I'm telling you," he says, his voice rising. "This is different."

I glance over at the others. No one's paying us any attention except for Cage. He narrows his brows, and I give him a thumbs-up.

"Let's go talk to him." I lead him to the kitchen, but before opening the door, I lean in and whisper, "I'll show you my secret weapon."

Xander is pacing in the kitchen. Going from the prep station to the pastry station as he checks that everything is ready. The sous chef watches him with crossed arms and a scowl.

"Jeremy, can you give us a minute?" I ask.

"Gladly," he growls, glaring at Xander.

"Bruh. What's up?"

"Don't call me that." His response seems automatic as he stares at the grills waiting to be used.

I catch his eyes and take his arm. "Hey, what's going on in the head of yours?"

"What if I can't do this?" His eyes are wide, and he's breathing faster than I'd like. I arch a brow at him. He shakes his head. A small smile on his face. "I can do this," he says dutifully.

"You have been doing this."

"Yes. But now—" He stops and shakes his head again. "I can do this." His gaze darts behind me and back. He lowers his voice. "Why am I so high-maintenance? What if Erik leaves me?"

I laugh and squeeze his arms. "That man adores you. I'm not sure you can get rid of him." I motion for Erik to join us.

As Erik gets closer, he hesitates. "Everything okay?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, babe." He studies the floor.

I need to get us back on track. "Jeremy is going to burst in here at any moment, so let's do this." I hold up a marker.

Xander's eyes widen. "No. I'm fine."

"You're not. But you will be."

He briefly closes his eyes. "I'm not a child, Dom."

"No," I say, pointing the marker at him. "You're a fully functional and capable adult who needs a reminder now and then." I hand the marker to Erik. "Just a little something right below the crease of his elbow. Something to remind him he's not alone."

Erik taps the marker against his chin as he eyes Xander. Then he grins and uncaps the marker. He holds out his hand, and Xander gives him his arm with a sigh, only squirming a little as Erik works. After he finishes, Erik writes on his own arm. Then he clicks the cap on the marker, looking proud of himself.

Xander stretches his arm out to get a good look. It's a Zelda life heart, half-full. Erik holds out his arm, showing off his own half-full Zelda heart. "Together, they make one full life."

Xander's eyes get misty then he grabs his boyfriend and kisses him. I back out of the room. My work here is done. "Give them a few," I tell the sous chef and then find Cage.

"Everything okay?" he asks, wrapping his arms around me.

"Perfect."

The night goes smoothly after that. Nothing burns down. No one quits. We sit and enjoy our meal in the front so we aren't tempted to hover in the kitchen.

"Are you guys ready for your trip?" Paxton asks. He's talking to the moms, but his gaze keeps straying to Tor.

"We are now," Mom says, beaming at Xander, who's across the room chatting with customers.

Callie smiles at me. "Thank you, Dom."

"It's all Xander."

"I would like to mention," Tor says, waving a hand around. His nails are silver today with glittery sparkles, "I helped Ricki. She's an amazing baker but struggles with confidence. I shared my secrets with her."

"You have secrets?" Paxton raises a brow.

Tor bites his lip. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Why do you make everything about you, princess?"

He leans in, his fingers touching Paxton's arm. "Because everything is about me."

The air around them practically crackles with pent-up sexual tension. They need to go ahead and fuck or something. But I focus on Cage because I do not need to think of my brother or Paxton like that.

Cage kisses my cheek. "Aren't they sweet?"

Not the word I'd use. He laughs and motions to Mom and Callie. They're smiling at each other, and Callie gives Mom a quick kiss. I don't need to think of our parents like that either, but at least they aren't practically eye-fucking each other.

But they are sweet together. And deliriously happy.

At the end of the night, after everything is cleaned up, we congratulate Xander and the staff on a great evening. I hug my brother. He will always be my brother. "I knew you could do it."

"Thank you, Dom. For everything." Then, even though it's not his favorite thing, I hug him again.

The staff leave for the night, and the moms say goodbye soon after. They have a hotel near O'Hare for the night. Their flight leaves early in the morning. We all hug and wish them a safe trip. The change in Mom has been amazing. Seeing her happy after everything makes me very, very happy.

Xander and Erik leave not long after, holding hands. It's hard to believe he's the same person from a few months ago.

"Now that the mothers are gone," Pax says, grabbing Tor's arm. "We're going to repaint Sophia's office. It's still that horrible gray."

"We?" The look on his face is defiant. Challenging. "I don't paint. My nails?—"

"I'll redo them for you."

Tor huffs but looks pleased by the idea. "We need paint."

"Done." He holds up his hand. "I have all the supplies we need."

Cage and I exchange a look. Tor side-eyes him. "You've thought this out."

"You have no idea."

Tor raises his chin. "Why the rush?"

Paxton's eyes darken as he stares at my twin brother. "Because I'm tired of waiting."

"Oh." Tor licks his lips and seems to be at a loss for words. Huh.

"Problem, Tor?"

"Nope. Lead the way, Mr. Delish."

Paxton growls and pulls him into the hallway leading to Sophia's office.

Cage glances at me. "Are they going to have sex in Sophia's—I mean Mom's—office? That's just…wrong."

"Let's go before they get loud."

As we head for the door, Tor yells, "Fuck yeah." We practically sprint to the car.

"Where to?" Cage asks, buckling his seat belt.

"Well, we could drive back to Grandville." Cage and I have a place. It's not big or grand. But it's ours. "Or since Xander and Cage have gone off to celebrate, we have Mom's house to ourselves."

"Just us and the servants."

"They won't bother us," I say, slapping his arm. "Besides, now is the perfect time for another sleepover. No brothers around to bother us."

Want to see what Tor and Paxton get up to in the office? Click here for a bonus scene .

If you enjoyed this book check out, My Best Friend's Wedding Planner , the first book in my Wedding Disasters series. Zye's plan for the perfect career-saving wedding falls apart. Is the dude of honor to blame?