Reservations

“I’m exhausted. Ignore me. It’s been a hellacious trip.”

Corey nodded and again patted his back before going to his cooler and drawing out a Two Hearted Ale, Thane’s beer of choice, and his smile turned sincere as he nodded. Corey handed it over while the group of his other friends continued to stare at him with genuine concern.

“I don’t know business on your level, but I know whatever’s goin’ on will pass.” It was a nice attempt at easing the tension Thane had created. He nodded before turning up the bottle, taking a couple of hearty swallows. Somehow, Corey’s encouragement had managed to freak him out even more. Thane wasn’t certain he wanted anything with Levi to pass or end. The exact opposite actually.

“Here!” Erin held out a bottle of cologne and the pillow. She lifted his wrist and sprayed. He brought it to his nose, closed his eyes, and took a whiff. Bingo. He nodded and continued to smell his wrist. It was like breathing in Levi. He could almost envision Levi standing there.

Opening his eyes, he smiled dreamily at Erin, then took the pillow, and shoved it under his arm before starting to turn away.

“Here take this. Corey doesn’t wear it. I hope we meet him soon.” Erin seemed oblivious to his pain. Instead, she waggled her brows as she handed over the cologne.

He gave a noncommittal laugh and took the offering. Yeah, in no scenario could he see any of them spending time with Levi anytime soon. “I’m going to sleep. I’ll see you guys later.”

“We’ll keep it down.”

“No need. I’m so tired nothing’ll wake me.” Thane downed the beer as he entered the house, tossing the bottle across the kitchen into the trash bin before taking the stairs down to his bedroom. He didn’t bother charging his phone, plugging in his laptop, or checking email. He tossed the pillow toward the headboard and undressed at the foot of the bed. He’d been awake a good thirty-six hours. When he crawled under the covers, he snuggled into the softness of the bed with the pillow tucked into his side. Levi’s scent was strong, and the weight of the pillow was comforting in his arms. When he closed his eyes, he could visualize Levi’s face. Thane barely got that thought out before sleep took him under.

~~~

Levi’s eyes popped open. Pancakes. The delicious smells and the memories of the happier times of his childhood had him pushing off the mattress. Luckily, he’d worn his athletic shorts to bed so nothing got in the way of heading straight for his brothers’ room. He reached for Logan’s foot, giving a good shake before moving toward Luke, doing the same thing there.

“I think Aunt Linda’s making pancakes,” he said, rubbing his palm against one eye as a big yawn tore free.

“What?” Logan asked groggily, lifting his head. Levi didn’t need to answer, he saw immediate recognition on Logan’s face as he quickly sat up, all sleepy-eyed, automatically rolling from his bed. Luke followed his lead, looking around the floor for his shorts.

“I love that smell,” Luke said, the tiredness leaving his voice as his stomach began to rumble loudly.

“I love that smell, too.” Levi went back to his bedroom and grabbed a T-shirt hanging off the end of the bed. He shrugged it on while walking through the house toward the kitchen. He could hear Linda talking, and when he came around the corner, he was a little surprised. Linda was busily cooking at the stove while Luke’s high school counselor, Mrs. Underwood, sat at the table.

This was not what he’d expected to find.

“It smells good in here,” Logan said, brushing past him into the room. His brother was like a bull in a china shop, bumping into the counter, before skidding to a stop right in front of the stove. Luke also shrugged past him while Linda swatted Logan’s hand as he tried to swipe one of the pancakes.

“Go sit down,” Linda said, waving the spatula as Logan dodged her first move and managed to grab one of the pancakes off the stack. “We wanted to have a good breakfast together this morning.”

“Hi, guys,” Mrs. Underwood said, standing up. For the first time, both Luke and Logan spotted her at the table. “Linda and I were talking yesterday, and she invited me over for breakfast.”

Levi’s brow furrowed, but his brothers were the exact opposite. They seemingly found nothing out of the ordinary as they went for their seats at the already set table. When Levi still hadn’t moved, Mrs. Underwood’s head shifted his direction, their gazes met and held until she gave a slight shake of her head at him.

That confused him more. What did that even mean?

“I love bacon and maple syrup,” Logan said.

“You love all food,” Luke shot back, laughing at Logan.