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seventeen

*ADEN*

L ynn tosses her bag on an empty chair and drops down on the seat between Mateo and Sterling, with a loud ‘ umpf’ .

“Just so we are clear,” she says, pointing at Cedric, whose huge, innocent eyes look at me hopefully.

“I truly just bumped into Cedric,” She narrows her eyes to a glare, as if to dare me to tease her about it.

“Don’t ask! It was really just a coincidence. ”

“We don’t mind,” Mateo says. “The more the merrier.”

“And we have met before,” Sterling adds.

Cedric looks at me. “It’s really okay if I join you?”

“You heard them,” I tell him. “It’s fine.”

“Thank you, sir!” he exclaims before settling down between Lynn and Sterling.

What a funny group we are right now. I can’t remember the last time I hung out with people like this, and with such a relaxed and genuinely fun group to boot.

Usually, I only go to exhibitions or mandatory events, or I meet with Lynn for a drink.

Both Lynn and I usually keep our dates away from each other, mostly because it’s never been something serious.

With Noel, I have crossed a lot of new bridges, it seems, and I have only known him for such a short time. Mateo takes off once more to order drinks and food for Cedric and Lynn. He really seems to have a caring gene in him. From what I heard from Noel, he looks out both for him and Sterling.

“Your food should be here in a couple of minutes,” he says once he is back. “Here are your drinks for now.”

“Wow, thank you!” Cedric’s eyes are wide.

“That was really kind,” Lynn says. “Much appreciated.”

“Don’t mention it,” Mateo says. “Besides, it’s easy to order food for people who are not picky eaters.”

“Excuse me,” Noel huffs. “Spare yourself the dig! Sterling is not a picky eater!”

“How did you know I was talking about him then?” Mateo grins.

As if to prove his point, Noel grabs an olive from my plate and reaches it towards Sterling, until the latter takes it and eats it.

Sterling grimaces. “Yuk, how can you eat that?!”

I can’t help but chuckle. “I didn’t know you were a picky eater.”

Sterling shrugs. “Well, if the others say it, it must be true.”

“Don’t let Mateo tease you,” Noel exclaims. “You are a selective eater, not a picky one. Why has that become the main topic now?”

Cedric has been listening in awe. Now, however, he bursts into giggles. “You are such a meme,” he says. “Actually, all of you.”

Noel looks at him with a twitching brow. “You are one to talk.”

“True,” Cedric beams.

Noel looks at him, before a resigned expression crosses his beautiful features. His body goes slack while he leans against me, grumbling something under his breath.

“Don’t worry about Cedric,” I chuckle. “Been there, done that.”

Noel rests his chin against my shoulder, looking at me through his soft brown eyes.

I can’t help but drive my fingers through his silky hair.

He is just so breathtaking when he is close to me, but even more so when he is vulnerable and open with me.

I feel a twinge in my chest, something I haven’t felt in a long while.

It’s not uncomfortable, it’s rather… a spark.

It makes my fingers itch to grab a brush again and draw.

The feeling strikes me out of the blue, leaving me completely dumbfounded.

I want to draw?!

Noel leans his forehead against my shoulder, taking a deep breath as if he is inhaling my scent. By now, it must have dawned on Cedric that Noel is not just some acquaintance, because he stares at us wide-eyed, his mouth open.

“Close your mouth,” Lynn says. “You are going to catch a fly.”

“You knew?”

“Of course. How come you didn’t?” she says. “Didn’t you watch them at the exhibition?”

“I thought Mr. Randall was just being polite.”

Lynn snorts. “If you think that was just a guy being polite to another guy, I feel like you need a babysitter at your side. Makes me worry for your overall safety.”

“She is right,” Sterling says. “Be careful not to get tricked, Cedric.”

Cedric’s cheeks flush slightly. “I am not that na?ve,” he mutters. “Okay, maybe a bit.”

Before anyone can say anything, someone next to us clears their throat. “Lynn?” It’s a guy’s voice. He must be standing behind me, out of my view, but directly opposite to Lynn.

Lynn’s gaze snaps up, staring at the person first, then at me, then back up again.

What was that?

“Wait… Aden, is that you?”

Noel startles slightly and moves his head from my shoulder while I turn to look right into Oliver’s surprised eyes.

“Hello, Oliver,” Lynn says. “I didn’t expect you here. It’s not your usual type of bar.”

“I got invited over by a friend,” Oliver says. “I am meeting Martin later somewhere else.”

Martin? Fortunately, he is not meeting him here. It’s bad enough to run into Oliver, but Martin is probably my least favorite brother of all. I decide to be thankful that at least it’s only Oliver bumping into us.

“I understand,” Lynn hums and nods.

It’s silent for a moment. None of the others knows what to say or do. They don’t even know who the guy is, just that it’s very obvious neither Lynn nor I are particularly happy to see him.

This is ridiculous.

“Everyone,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm and composed while willing all my emotions down. “This is my oldest brother. Oliver.”

“Oh,” Sterling nods.

Mateo regains his composure quickly and jumps right into his professional self. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Randall.”

“Oh, I am not…“ Oliver says, before his voice trails off. “It’s nice to meet you, too,” he says instead.

“You are not what?” Noel wants to know.

It’s funny. I can see it in his expression, he is so close to letting his claws out, but not in the humorous way, he does it with his friends. He looks a lot more serious all of a sudden.

“He is not a Randall,” I explain in Oliver’s or Lynn’s stead. “We are half-brothers.”

“Oh, I get it. I apologize,” Mateo says politely.

“These are our friends,” Lynn introduces the group briefly, without going into detail, who they are.

Oliver rubs the back of his head, slightly flustered. “Well, I guess I should leave you alone.” He pauses. “Oh, before I forget, Aden, you are coming for Mom’s birthday next weekend, are you? She is really expecting you.”

That fucker. He knows I won’t just turn him down when he asks me so openly in front of a whole group of people. I love my mother and do want to see her. Not even I can stay so cold-hearted and say no, when he brings her into the play and challenges me in front of my friends.

“I guess I will be coming,” I say calmly. “Just for dinner though.”

I can feel Noel’s hand on my leg. It feels warm and soothing, calming my nerves down a little. If only I knew how to handle my family, things would be so much easier. Well, Rome wasn’t built in a day either.

Oliver smiles, an expression of relief on his face. “I am so happy,” he says. “I will tell Mom immediately.”

Yeah, of course he will. So, I won’t be able to take it back.

“Well, I apologize for disrupting your meeting,” Oliver says with a smile. “I will take my leave. It was nice to meet you.”

“Have a nice evening,” Mateo says.

Lynn nods at him. “Bye, Oliver.”

When he has finally left, silence engulfs us again, until Sterling breaks it. “Interesting,” he mutters while he watches Oliver disappear into the crowd again.

“Not really,” Lynn says dryly. “He is my ex.”

“He and I aren’t really close,” I tell the group without going into detail. “I apologize, this must have been an awkward exchange to watch.”

“Make it double awkward because I was there too,” Lynn adds. “A drink, Aden?”

“Absolutely!”

Noel wraps his arms around my middle, snuggling against me again. I only realize now that he drew back earlier and didn’t touch me openly while I was talking to Oliver. I guess he didn’t want to embarrass me or out my relationship with him in front of my brother.

Lynn manages to organize a round of drinks for all of us. Only Noel sticks with a mocktail instead. He drinks very little. If he goes out and drinks at all, it’s only one glass of wine.

“Lynn, you really were with Aden’s brother?” Sterling asks curiously.

Lynn grins. “High school and later college sweethearts, but he obviously wasn’t the one.” She doesn’t tell them why they broke up, and not even Cedric has the nerve to ask.

When our new drinks arrive, the group gets lively again, fortunately. Cedric is growing more confident, as well. “Say,” He beams again. “Mind if I make a reel, Mr. Randell? Of you, casually sitting here? Maybe with Sterling?”

Sterling and I exchange a gaze. “What’s a reel? A video?” Sterling mutters.

“Beats me,” I say. “But it’s for social media.”

“And you think that will get views?” Sterling asks.

“Absolutely,” Cedric is pumped with motivation.

“Mr. Randall always sells well. Our viewers love his dignified, calm image. And I bet you, Sterling, will get quite the audience too.” He turns around, gazing at everyone before his eyes land on Noel.

“Please help me, Noel. You are the only one who looks capable of doing anything social media-related!”

Noel casts each of us a gaze, then lets out a sigh. “You might be right.”

“Hey, what about me?” Mateo asks, while Cedric and Noel try to navigate Sterling and me into a position, they deem cool enough for their reel. “Do I suck at social media too?”

“You are not as hopeless as the others,” Noel says. “But the bar is low.”

Lynn and I exchange a glance. “I can’t say anything in my defense,” Lynn says shortly. “I barely post anything, ever.”

“Me neither,” I say.

“I only have an Instagram account because I have to,” Sterling says.

“That’s what you have me for now,” Cedric exclaims. “I am going to be the world’s best assistant!”

When Noel shifts me into position, he leans forward slightly. “Is he always that motivated?” he whispers.

“Yes.”

“You truly are a weird combination of boss and assistant,” he mutters. “But I guess I can see it work.”

I smile. “You and I work well, too, after all.”

Noel furrows his brows. “I am nothing like him!”

“I was just teasing you,” I chuckle. “Don’t make it so easy.”

Noel mutters something under his breath, not gracing me with an answer. He is adorable when he is prickly, but I probably shouldn’t tease him too much. Grabbing him by the back of his head, I pull him into a swift kiss. “Here, better?”

“I can’t believe your sly tactics,” Noel mutters.

“Well,” Cedric proclaims. “I don’t think we can use that one for a reel. Noel and Mr. Randall look like they are about to jump each other, and Sterling looks like the third wheel.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with that,” Sterling points out.

“We are not going to have that on our social media,” Lynn intervenes. “My God, guys, focus and take the damn video! It can’t be that hard!”

Her words finally get us all into the right mindset, and a couple of minutes later, the video is done, and Cedric looks happy. “It’s gotten pretty late,” Sterling comments. “I want to get home and work on my newest drawing.”

I nod, grabbing my credit card. “Allow me,” I say.

“We can’t possibly—” Mateo starts with Noel very visibly about to say something too.

“Of course we can,” Sterling interrupts. “We are all broke.”

“I can chip in, too,” Lynn offers.

“You invited me last time,” I say. “It’s my turn anyway.”

“True.”

While I gather my things, I look at Sterling again. “Make sure to update me on your progress,” I tell him.

“Will do,” he promises.

“So,” Lynn looks around. “Did I truly manage to find myself amidst a whole group of handsome, gay guys?” she asks dryly.

“I don’t think you need me to answer that,” I say.

“Yeah, sorry, gayer than anyone else here,” Noel says.

Sterling nods. “Me too.”

“Well, I for one am bi,” Cedric says.

“Just like me,” Mateo grins and wiggles his eyebrows at Lynn.

Lynn stares at him and raises her brows. “You are?”

He nods.

“And you are single? Because I am not hooking up with someone else’s man.”

“As single as one can be, and you?”

“My last flirt just dumped me.”

“I am tall,” Mateo says.

“I see that,” Lynn says. “Who even cares?”

“A lot do,” he admits.

“I will let you fuck me, if you promise you won’t get all insecure because I earn a lot.”

“Well, guys,” Mateo grabs his jacket. “I obviously have a date with a beautiful woman now.” When Lynn blinks at him, he grins. “I give a shit about how much you earn. Lead the way, Sugar Mama.”

“Oh, my god,” Noel groans. “Why are you so embarrassing?”

Mateo just grins and winks at us before following Lynn outside. I feel my phone vibrating. When I open my messages, I almost fear that it’s Oliver again, or Kayden, or one of the others, but to my surprise, it’s Noel.

Can I go home with you?

When I look at him, he looks away, his cheeks tinted a sweet, peachy color. I can’t help but reach out my hand to touch his soft hair. “Yes,” I say.