Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

DOM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 6 P.M.

The next day goes much like the first. Xander and I compete and do better than before. We're in sync, and I can almost pretend yesterday didn't happen. No unwanted bodily functions. I even test it just to be sure. A touch. A pat on the back. Until Xander glares at me and tells me to stop. We're back to climbing stairs, but I can't even be upset about that.

During our downtime, I think about the woman in the photo. Should I go to Grandville? It's not that big. I could probably pass her photo around. Maybe after the competition. I don't want to do anything to throw us off. Especially now that we are back to normal.

We win the morning challenge that requires everyone to make the same thing. In the afternoon, we get third. This time, it's Xander's fault. He's distracted. Should I ask him about it or let it go?

By the time dinner rolls around, I'm starved. Convincing Xander to eat with me is surprisingly easy.

The restaurant of the hotel is nice but not overly fancy. Xander and I follow the server to the left side of the dining area, and we sit in a nice booth with black vinyl seats.

The host takes our drink orders. Xander always gets unsweetened tea. I order a Diet Coke. And, thank fuck, they have it. Diet Pepsi isn't the same. As I study the menu, I say as casually as possible, "Do you remember Mom talking about Callie?"

My brother straightens. I can feel it more than see it. The air gets tense. But not in the way it was before. This tension, I'm used to. "Why are you so interested in this woman?"

"Why aren't you?"

He rubs his forehead. "I hate when you do that, Dom. Just tell me."

I can't say the reason. Because she looks like me. And I want to know if she's related. And if she's somehow the key to helping our mother. "Mom always gets sad after our birthday, but it's been worse this year." I shrug. "She kept this picture hidden away."

"And you can't resist a mystery."

I laugh. "And there's that."

The server arrives. Raul is his name, which he tells us with a bat of his pretty eyelashes. Normally, I'd be more than interested in this guy, but I'm pissed at my dick for being so weird before. No cute guys. No anything until I'm sure the fucker can behave for more than a day. I order a cheeseburger medium rare. And Xander has…nothing.

"I'm not hungry."

"Um, Raul?" I ask as the server turns away. "Can we get an order of mozzarella sticks?"

"Of course, sweetie. Anything for you."

He flounces away, and I watch. I'm not dead. Just on strike. Besides, Raul has a fine ass and wants to show it off. Who am I to deny him?

"Really?" Xander asks with a shake of his head.

"Why are you starving yourself?"

He shrugs, but his eyes give him away. They dart to a table across the room. The blond guy from before. The one Xander was going to talk to before he chickened out. I open my mouth to ask about him, but Xander interrupts me. "I'm fine. Just not hungry."

"Whatever, dude. Just eat a mozzarella stick. Or five."

"One."

I give him my best pleading look.

"Fine. Two."

The appetizer comes and he has one. But he eats it slowly, his eyes sliding over to the blond guy when he thinks I'm not watching. Interesting.

"So, about this woman."

"What woman?"

I slap the table. "Bro, pay attention to me. This woman is important."

He sips his tea and shrugs. "I think she might have died."

His casualness feels like a slap in the face, and I don't even know why. It's not like I know her.

"Why would you say that?" I ask with a bite in my words I don't try to curb.

His brow furrows. "You asked." Something catches his eye, and he jumps to his feet. "I'll be right back."

As he briskly walks away, I glance at the blond man. His chair is empty.

What in the hell is my brother doing?

When the food arrives, I don't wait. I'm not sure Xander is coming back. It's not like he ordered anything. I don't eat the remaining mozzarella sticks. Just in case.

Everyone else is sitting with someone, but it doesn't bother me. I don't mind eating alone. I'm just not used to it. Xander and I do most things together. Which is why my earlier reaction to him freaked me out. Thankfully, everything is back to normal.

My focus returns to the woman. Maybe she's Mom's sister or cousin? That makes the most sense as to why we look alike. But why wouldn't Mom talk about her? Unless Xander is right and the woman died.

"Hey, did you start without me?" Xander slips into the booth, a smile on his face. It throws me. Things must have gone well with the blond guy.

"What?"

He motions to my half-eaten plate of food. "You're almost done."

"Yeah. You were taking a while."

"Nice, bro. Nice."

My response gets stuck in my throat. What is happening? "Bro?" I squeak out.

He gives me a funny look and settles into his seat—making himself comfortable. He rolls his sleeves up with his long fingers, baring his strong arms. I ignore the flutter in my stomach and focus on the fact that he changed clothes.

"What are you doing?" I ask, glaring at him. Is this his way of messing with me? Not that Xander has ever done anything like this before. It's more my style, but it's the only sensible explanation.

He studies my face, glances down at his empty placemat, and then at my food. "I was going to eat. Is that okay?" Then his eyes widen almost comically. "Wait, did you have a date or something?"

"What? No."

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem, bro, is that you said you didn't want to eat. I tried waiting for you, but I was hungry. And now you're back?—"

"Back?"

"Don't interrupt. Now you're back and acting weird."

"I'm acting weird? You're the one yelling."

That's when I realize I am actually yelling. We're getting looks from people and Raul is standing a few feet away like he's waiting for a safe time to interrupt.

"Did you need something?" I snap and instantly regret it. It's not Raul's fault. "Sorry—I'm just—sorry."

"Is everything okay?" Raul asks. "Do you need anything?"

"Don't mind my brother." Xander grins at the guy. Actually grins. What in the fuck is going on? "I'd like to order."

"Yes, sir." If Raul is surprised Xander has changed his mind, he doesn't show it. My brother is a picky eater, and this time is no different. Raul's smile slips just a bit as Xander struggles to find something to his liking. And the world seems almost right.

After the third time he changes his mind, I've had enough. I put as much exasperation as I can in my voice. "For fuck's sake. Just order."

Xander glares at me and finishes up. Raul gives me a grateful, flirty smile and drifts away. This time, I don't watch. I'm too busy glaring at my brother as he grabs the last mozzarella stick.

"What?" he asks, catching my eyes on him. He runs his hand over his mouth. "Do I have something on my face?"

And now I'm focused on his lips. They're red and plump—and nope. I study the half-eaten burger on my plate.

He sighs. "Tor?—"

"Don't call me that."

"We're back to this? What's going on, Dom?"

You tell me . But I keep the words to myself. Am I going crazy here? "I don't know. Everything feels off."

"Tell me about it," he says, sipping his tea and then scowling. "This has no sugar in it. At all. Do they think I'm a barbarian?" He searches through the sugar and sweetener packets and pulls out the ones he wants. "Our timing was shit in the last challenge."

"Shit?"

"You don't think so?" He dumps about six sugar packets into his tea and stirs. Xander doesn't eat sugar. Or sweets.

"I'm just not used to you saying"—shit—"it. I'm just surprised."

He doesn't respond. He sips his tea and watches Raul flirt with the guys at the next table over. "I think I know what your problem is."

"My problem." This is unreal. I must be dreaming. That has to be it.

"Yes, your problem." He nods at our cute server. "That guy likes you."

"That's my problem?"

He laughs. My brother has a nice laugh. I just hardly ever hear it. But the world is now topsy-turvy and nothing matters anymore. "No. He's your solution. Though it doesn't have to be him."

"What are you talking about?" I pick my burger apart, not sure I can eat anymore. When he doesn't answer, I lean my head back to catch his gaze. It's surprisingly easy.

"You, my dear brother," he says, putting his hand over mine, causing my brain to stutter and my traitorous cock to swell, "need a good dicking."

My heart thunders as our eyes lock and his grin fades. The questions are there in his eyes. Join the fucking club. Then his gaze drops to my mouth, resting there for a second. "Dom?" he whispers, his voice filled with panic and lust.

I yank my hand away. The world continues to spin. Nothing is right. I ignore my brother, my food, and Raul's questioning look as I rush out of the restaurant.