Page 9

NINE

ADRIAN

THE SWITCH

Day 459

“Can you stop doing that?” Kenji asks me, his voice drawing my attention straight to him. His expression is one of vague exasperation as he leans against the kitchen island, watching me. I honestly didn’t even hear him come in. He’s got on a hoodie that looks a size too small for him with the way it’s pulling on his shoulders, and jeans that accentuate how ginormous his legs are. Not that I’ve actually noticed or feel jealous. Doesn’t a hoodie that tight bother his shoulder? How is it fair that he can pull off a freaking sling ?

“Stop what?” I ask, confused.

He tips his head down, indicating towards my arms, before speaking. “You’ve been rubbing your hands like a nasty little fly with a plan for the last two minutes. It’s weird.”

“Oh,” I mumble, setting my hands down before deciding to just stand up instead. “I’m just too excited for tonight. Where’s Theo?” The man in question uses that moment to walk into the kitchen, throwing up a peace sign as he does.

“Finally!” I tell him. “I’ve been waiting on both of you for what feels like forever. We’ve got to get a move on, we’ve got big plans tonight.” I don’t give either of them a chance to answer, immediately turning around to walk out the back door—though I do catch the look the two of them share.

The cool evening air is crisp against my skin as I step outside, the door clicking shut behind me. A sliver of the moon hangs in the sky, casting just enough light to illuminate the gravel path leading toward the Davis farm. My hands slide into my jacket pockets as I take a deep breath, the faint smell of wood smoke lingering from somewhere nearby.

It’s been weeks since we’ve had a chance to unwind, and while I’m looking forward to hanging out with the guys, there’s something more significant pulling me toward Todd’s place tonight.

A Nintendo Switch.

Todd got it as a gift from Holden back when it first got released, and for whatever reason he decided to keep that a secret until the other day, when I made a comment about Mario and Jay spilled the beans. And, after endless begging, cajoling, and outright bribery, he agreed to bring it out for a proper Mario Kart showdown.

As I approach the house, the muffled sound of laughter filters through the windows. Warm yellow light spills from the windows, cutting through the dark. I may have convinced Todd that this needed to be a proper guy’s night, a way for all of us to relax and get to know each other even better. For a moment, I pause on the porch, letting the sound of it wash over me. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt something this normal.

I push the door open without knocking—Todd told us to just come in—and step inside. Kenji and Theo walk in right after me, and immediately disperse in the living room. Todd is sprawled out on the couch like a king surveying his kingdom, a smug grin plastered across his face as he holds a beer in one hand and a controller in the other. Eric is standing next to the armrest, trying to juggle a bowl of chips and two bottles without spilling.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!” Todd calls out, lifting his beer in a mock toast as I step inside.

“You mean the guy who’s about to wipe the floor with all of you?” I shoot back, kicking the door shut behind me.

Todd snorts, nearly tipping the bowl of chips. “Big words for someone who hasn’t even picked a character yet.”

“Careful, Todd,” Jay says, smirking. “Last time, you were in dead last for, like, every race.”

“That’s because you cheated!” Todd fires back, pointing an accusatory finger.

“Using skill is not cheating,” Jay says, his grin widening.

Jasper, sitting in the large armchair with a book in his lap, glances up. “Skill? Is that what we’re calling playing video games now?” Peter is in the corner, crouched over a tangled mess of wires connected to the TV. He doesn’t say much, but the way his lips twitch tells me he’s listening and already judging us. Kenji brings two dining chairs into the living room, somehow carrying both in one hand, setting them next to the armchair before taking a seat and starting a hushed conversation with Jasper and Jay, who sits in the other wooden chair—looks like those three have no interest in playing.

I plop down onto the couch, grabbing the controller Todd tosses my way. The game boots up, the cheerful Mario Kart music cutting through the chatter, and I swear it’s like stepping back in time. Todd immediately selects Donkey Kong, claiming once again that it’s his lucky charm. Theo picks Toad, Eric goes for Yoshi, and Peter quietly picks Bowser, his focus razor-sharp. I hover for a second before settling on Waluigi, the icon that he is.

As the first race begins, the room erupts into chaos.

“Move it, Yoshi!” I shout as Eric cuts me off around the first turn.

“Sorry, what was that?” Eric says, grinning as he drops a banana peel in my path. I swerve to avoid it, only to get hit by a red shell.

“Damn it, Todd!” I groan.

Todd laughs, leaning forward as his Donkey Kong zooms past me. “What can I say? It’s survival of the fittest out here.”

“Or survival of the luckiest,” Peter mutters, his Bowser bulldozing through the pack with ease. My momentary shock at seeing this new, extraverted side of Peter is quickly wiped away as the game continues.

As the races continue, the teasing gets louder, and the insults become more creative. Theo ends up winning with Toad every single time, and he gives a smug grin to the room before signing, “One of the pros about being Deaf? I can’t get distracted by whatever nonsense you idiots are spewing at each other while we play.” Kenji translates and the room explodes with laughter. Peter even cracks a rare smile.

The front door suddenly bangs open, the chill from outside rushing in and silencing the room. Trevor stomps in a second later, his heavy boots echoing through the hall. He stops in the doorway when his gaze lands on us, and something unreadable flashes in his eyes. He wipes a hand down his face, tension rolling off him in waves, before his focus settles squarely on Todd.

“What the hell’s going on in here?”

“Guy’s night,” Todd answers, though his usual laid-back tone now feels strained. His fingers tighten around the controller in his lap. “We’re playing Mario Kart. Did you…want to join?”

Trevor doesn’t answer right away. Instead, his eyes flick between Kenji, Theo, and me, and his expression hardens. The room falls awkwardly silent, the lightheartedness from moments ago evaporating. Finally, he lets out a scoff, shaking his head and forcing a tight smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“I’m good,” he tells Todd. “Long day. I’m just gonna head to bed. Night.”

Without another word, he turns from the doorway, stomping down the hall. We all call out half-hearted goodnights, but there’s a collective feeling of relief when the sound of his bedroom door slamming echoes from down the hall. I glance at Todd and find his smile replaced by a frown, guilt all over his face.

“Toddy, you good?” I ask softly, bumping his shoulder with mine.

“Yeah.” His response is automatic, but the way his eyes linger on the doorway tells me how he really feels. He drags a hand through his short, red hair, exhaling hard. “No… I guess I just feel bad for not inviting him.”

“Did you forget?” Eric asks.

Todd shakes his head. “No, I didn’t forget. He’s just been so…off, you know? Irritable, erratic. He’s been like this for months now. I figured he probably wouldn’t want to hang out, but…” He hesitates, his voice dipping lower. “Honestly, I just wanted it to be a chill night.”

His words hang in the air, especially when nobody jumps in to defend Trevor. Still, the guilt rolling off of Todd is palpable. Sliding an arm around his shoulders, I pull him closer, letting him lean into the support. “You’re a good guy, Todd. Don’t let this eat at you.”

Todd nods, but the frown doesn’t leave his face. After a beat, Jasper clears his throat, turning to Kenji. His casual tone is clearly an intentional attempt to help distract Todd, but his eyes are sharp while he looks at my brother. “So, Kenji, how are things with Farron?”

I watch as Kenji’s fingers, which have been interpreting for Theo, falter and his cheeks immediately turn pink, his eyes resolutely staying on the TV. “They’re fine,” he responds with a curt tone.

“Fine?” Jay echoes, raising an eyebrow. “That’s the answer you’re going with?”

“Incredible,” I supply, giving them the answer they’re really hoping for. “Farron is incredible, and we’re still trying to work through all the moving pieces, but she makes me— us —so happy.”

“You’d just better make sure you treat her well,” Peter says, a serious look on his face. His gaze shifts between all three of us, his voice gruff. “A beautiful and genuine woman like Farron, or Daisy,” he adds, glancing at Eric, “is hard to come by, especially in times like this. Hold her close, make sure she always knows what she means to you, and don’t let her go.”

The room grows quiet as Peter’s words sink in. Even Todd seems momentarily subdued, his usual grin replaced by something softer. After a beat, Jay claps Todd on the shoulder. “You’re up next, champ. Better not disappoint.”

The laughter picks back up, but I can’t help but notice the looks that Jay and Todd exchange. It’s subtle, just a flicker of something unspoken, but it’s there. I wonder if the two will ever stop dancing around each other, if they’ll ever address the elephant in the room. The tension between the two of them sometimes feels palpable, and only a blind man could miss the heated looks they sometimes exchange. I wonder if they’ve held off for so long because of Holden and fear of ruining their dynamic, and if maybe they will ever feel safe to explore what’s between them.

As the night wears on, I realize something: moments like this, with laughter and teasing and shared glances, are what keep us grounded. They remind us of who we were before everything fell apart and who we can still be. I didn’t think there would ever be a time when Kenji, Theo, and I could find friendship like this in others—could feel so safe somewhere again.

By the time the final race ends and Theo’s declared the undisputed champion, the moon is high in the sky. One by one, the group begins to disperse, and everyone heads back home. As I step outside, the cold night air hits me again, and I take a deep breath.

“Hey,” Kenji says, coming up beside me. “Thanks for tonight. I think we all needed it.”

“Yeah,” I reply, glancing at him. “Me too.”