Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 170885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
“Pretty sure he can’t do much to save his life.”
“Tell me about it. He’s so unorganized, it drives me bonkers. He’ll be throwing everything around, leaving milk outside the fridge, and meditating underwater. He can’t even tell the difference between basil, oregano, and coriander. ‘They’re all grass’, he says. He also didn’t know who Agatha Christie was until recently. He barely knows who Zeus or most historical figures are. He said the only superior one is Hannibal because he was a badass general who nearly brought down an empire, and the rest of them don’t merit a place in his head. Can you believe that?”
My sigh is deep and fucking defeated. “You love him that much, huh?”
“Yeah—” He cuts himself off and his eyes widen as he swallows thickly. “I mean… I…I…”
“It’s fine.” I clutch his shoulder. “Take your time to come to terms with it. I know it’s scary, but it’ll get better.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
I smile. “Let’s join them before your mother embarrasses you any further.”
He grins in return and we walk in as Astrid says, “That’s Jayden, or Jay for short.”
“A relative?” Nikolai asks.
“You could say that. He’s my stepsister’s half-brother and was Bran’s first crush.” She winks at our son and he shakes his head.
“First crush you say?” Nikolai’s tone turns mysterious as he looks at the picture in which Bran and Jay are wearing Minion jumpsuits, clutching each other by the shoulders and grinning with glee.
“Yeah,” my wife says, completely unaware of the fire of jealousy igniting in Nikolai’s gaze. “Bran went through that phase of obsessing about everything Minion and Jay was his partner in crime.”
“Hmm. And where is he now?”
“In the States. He’s the youngest hotshot NASA scientist. I’m so proud of him.”
“Is he at the headquarters or one of the other field centers?”
“Headquarters, I believe.”
“Good to know. Is he Jayden Clifford?”
“No, Adler.”
“Jayden Adler. DC. Cool.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
He sounds like a damn mafioso who’s collecting information about a potential target.
Astrid keeps showing him other photos, but Bran definitely picked up on the energy, because he says, “Jay and I haven’t really seen each other much over the years. He’s a genius student and barely has time for anything but studying.”
Nikolai shows a poker face for the first time today. “Did I say anything?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Bran says low, but I hear him.
“No idea what you’re talking about.”
“Nikolai,” he warns.
“Yes?” He smiles and I want to punch him, but I can’t, because my son loves this twat.
Nikolai hides his yawn. “Excuse me. I came straight from the States and couldn’t sleep on the plane.”
“Oh my word.” Astrid closes the album. “Bran, you should take him to rest.”
“No.” Nikolai holds on to the album. “I prefer childhood pictures.”
“Nonsense. They’ll be waiting when you wake up, deal?”
“Deal.”
“I should catch a few hours of sleep myself.” She appears distraught as she tries to shake the exhaustion from her face.
Nikolai stands up and nods at me. “Thank you for letting me stay in your house, sir.”
I’m about to throw out a ‘No, I’m not letting you,’ but the expectation on Bran’s face forces me to change my mind, and I release a begrudged affirmative noise instead.
My son smiles and mouths a “Thanks” before he and the fucker go up the stairs.
He better take him to the guest room.
I’m about to remind him of that when Astrid shakes her head. “Don’t even think about being a dick. You did enough damage this entire morning.”
“I don’t like the idea of him in our son’s room.”
“He’s a twenty-three-year-old man, Levi. Stop treating him like a child. Besides, Nikolai is just so well-mannered.”
“Have you seen the tattoos?”
“You mean how beautiful they are?”
“How many there are, Princess.”
“So what? Those don’t make his personality. Since when do you judge a book by its cover?”
“Since it walks into my house and steals my son.”
She laughs and wraps her arm around mine then leans her head on my shoulder. “You’re such a papa bear. Just be happy that Bran found someone who cares about him like Nikolai does. You heard the part he hates, right? That’s exactly what we struggle with, and not only has he picked up on it, but he chose it as the only thing he dislikes. You know how closed off and inward Bran can be, so we should be celebrating the fact that he’s letting someone close, not be babies about it.”
I release a grumble.
“Levi, come on. Have you ever seen Bran smile so much?”
I groan. So she noticed that, too. Of course she did. And I hate to admit it, but she’s definitely right. I’ve never seen him as happy as he was this morning.
Fucking hell.
“I know you’re also glad deep down.” She kisses my cheek. “You better not cause Nikolai trouble.”
“So you’re Team Nikolai now?”
“I’m Team Bran and he loves that man. Besides, he’s a real lad.”