Chapter 21

21

JASON

The week following Zach's return was so busy that we only managed to hang out one other time after I fell asleep on his couch, and even that had only been for a chilly run cut short by the bitter wind. We'd texted nearly every day, though, as had become our habit while he was away at school. Still, even through text, things between us felt…different. I couldn't pinpoint how exactly, but it was as if something had shifted. Like there was the tiniest bit of distance between us despite him being just a few miles away rather than a few thousand. I didn't know what to make of it. Was I at fault? I'd felt guilty ever since I'd gotten off to thoughts of Zach. I hadn't jacked off since, which wasn't uncommon for me, but usually, it was because I wasn't interested, not because I was actively avoiding the act.

I'd hoped it was all in my head, that seeing him again would set my mind at ease and we'd go back to normal. But after I'd fallen asleep on his couch, he'd seemed more reserved, and I couldn't quite pinpoint why.

The Saturday before Christmas, Mandy came bounding into the kitchen, dressed in jeans and a sweater, with her hair and makeup done at nine a.m. I actually checked the clock, surprised to see her before noon, since she'd come home yesterday completely exhausted after finishing her finals. I could relate, as I'd finished my exams on Tuesday and had felt the same way, though I was still studying for the certification in January.

"Hey, big bro!" she said with a bright smile, and I immediately went on alert. She was after something. I'd seen that look too many times.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Can't I just say good morning to my big brother?"

"No. You literally never do that. What do you want?"

She sighed, then pulled out the stool next to where I was peeling an orange at the kitchen island.

"Can you take me and Drea into the city to do some Christmas shopping? Even though Drea has her license, her dad won't let her drive that far yet, and Mom and Dad are busy today. Pleeeeease!" She widened her eyes, giving me her best impression of a puppy begging for a morsel of food.

I eyed her, delaying my response out of pure brotherly torture. The truth was, I actually had some of my own shopping to finish and had thought about going into the city anyway. "What's in it for me?"

"Ugh. Can't you do it out of the kindness of your heart?"

"Nah. Where's the fun in that?" I gave her my widest, shit-eating grin, then popped a piece of orange into my mouth.

"Ugh. Brothers are the worst," she said on a huff, crossing her arms and pouting.

I chuckled at her theatrics. "I'll do it if Zach comes. I'm not dragging your giggly asses around the city without backup."

She had her phone out of her pocket before I'd even finished speaking, her thumbs working furiously over the screen.

Moments later, my phone buzzed on the counter. I wiped my sticky fingers and picked it up.

Zach

What did you get me into?

Does that mean you're coming with us?

Yeah

Though I'll probably regret it

lol! Pick you guys up in an hour?

Works for me

I set my phone back down and looked at Mandy. "Looks like you've got a ride into the city."