“Yeah.” Brendan’s shoulders relaxed, and he flashed a smile. “It seemed important.”
Something warm slipped down his cheek. Blinking, Aiden held tightly to his brother’s photograph and used his other hand to wipe the warmth away. His skin met water, and he blinked more, staring at the moisture glistening on his finger.
Tears? I’m crying?
“Brendan, can you explain this to them?” someone else called.
Aiden looked up to see someone at the table. “Sorry,” Brendan said and swiftly moved to the front.
Brendan encouraged the person to ask more with hands held open in invitation and body leaning forward in attention. Aiden watched the potential club member grow more eager with every question answered, and before long, signed a name and email onto a list.
“He’s a bit of a klutz sometimes, but he’s a good president.”
Aiden whirled around at the girl’s voice. She smiled. “Christina. Are you interested in joining?”
“What’s this club?”
“It’s a photography club. Not a professional one. We’re all just taking pictures as a hobby, so no worries if you have no experience. We’re always looking for new members.”
“Photographs…” He looked down at his brother’s picture.
“If you’re not sure, you can attend our first meeting and see how you feel about it. You’re not obligated to join after one meeting.” Christina offered him a piece of paper with information. “Brendan and Javier will also be there with me.”
Aiden unconsciously glanced back. The newcomer wrote down their contact information, and Brendan triumphantly took the paper from the newcomer’s hands. A genuine smile reached his face, and he patted his brother’s photo again. “Can you tell him thank you?” he asked Christina. “This means so much to me.”
“If you wait just a few more seconds, he’ll probably make his way back here.”
He looked back over to Brendan, who smiled and waved goodbye. “He seems busy. I don’t want to interrupt.”
“Too late—his mission is you now.” Christina stepped to the side.
Brendan marched back with such determination that Aiden needed to take a few steps back. His hair blew back from the speed of the incoming boy. “Would you be interested in joining? This is a photography club.”
“I already gave him the rundown,” Christina called, taking a seat by the table.
“Oh—are you interested?” Brendan eagerly turned his head back around.
“I…dunno.”
“Then come to the first meeting at least. A trial run.”
Aiden had never met someone so unabashed about what they wanted that their thoughts practically screamed through a megaphone.Recruit more people. Now that he’s at the table, get him interested. Get more people into photography. It’s fun.
Unable to hold back any longer, Aiden turned his head to the side and chuckled. “Is your club dying or something?” he joked, only to stare in surprise as Brendan’s head flopped up and down in agreement.
“Basically it was just me, my friends, and the last president who decided to quit the second he recruited us, so now it’s just us three. Please check it out! I promise it will be fun. I’ll make it fun.” Any more resistance, Aiden swore Brendan was close to getting on his knees to beg.
He held up his hands. “I’ll come.”
Brendan’s eyes sparkled, and a small jaunt entered his steps. “Good! I’ll see you then.”
“Ah, wait.” Aiden stepped forward and grabbed Brendan’s arm.
“Hmm?” Brendan turned around.
Awkwardly, Aiden let go of the sleeve. His brother’s photo rested comfortably, hugged around his palm. “Thank you.” He met Brendan’s eyes. “That photo truly means a lot to me. I really can’t thank you enough.”
Brendan blinked in surprise. A mischievous light entered his large blue eyes, and a smirk crawled on his face. “Then thank me by joining the club.”
