“Yeah, I know.” Leo nodded as he studied what would now be considered a vintage gaming console. He’d probably get triple what my brother got for his when he sold it.
“Why the sudden nostalgia?” I studied Leo’s small smile when he stared down at the console. Leo could be handsome, he could be sexy. I never thought I’d describe him as cute before seeing him stare at an important piece of his past. But he was cute with the wrinkles around his smile and the glint in his eye.
“I don’t know. I just found it in the back of my closet and remembered how much fun Leo and I used to have.” He shrugged. “Before swimming and school and…everything else complicated our lives. So, I thought we’d play a few rounds. I kind of miss just hanging out without the pressure training and work. I hoped this will make life feel a little less daunting, you know?”
I nodded. “I get it.”
“Is this okay? Me being here after…?” His expression changed from someone who felt sentimental to someone who felt unsure. “I know we’re keeping our relationship separate for now and this could muddy things. I should have texted you before I came, now that I’m thinking about it.”
“It’s fine. You should feel free to visit your friend regardless of what’s going on between me and you,” I assured with a wave of my hand and started towards the side door to prove I didn’t care. “Come on. I think he’s binging a TV show or something. He’ll be thankful for the interruption.”
Leo followed me into the house. I was right. We found Nate stretched out in front of the TV watching aTwilight Zoneepisode.
I couldn’t help but be a little worried about him after he found out about Dad and the company’s unbalanced books. Yes, he wanted things to burn and even said he enjoyed watching it. In actuality, I knew a pit had grown in his stomach now that he wasn’t in the dark about the family finances. His unusual silence and mindless viewing of a black and white drama he supposedly hated, proved as such.
Nate’s glazed-over expression came to life when he spotted Leo over my shoulder.
“What’s up?” Nate paused the show and swung his legs to the ground, giving Leo space to join him on the couch.
I claimed the loveseat for myself, watching as Leo revealed his find to Nate. Like his friend, Nate wore a wide smile when he saw the console.
“Shit, this is old.” He chuckled when Leo offered him one of the controllers. “Old when we got it and ancient now. Does it still work?”
“Yeah, I tested it out earlier.” Leo got up to set the console up.
The screen lit up and a familiar tune played through the speakers. I even felt a little tug when I saw characters I remembered pop up on the screen when Leo pulled up an old save file. My playtime on the video game wasn’t as half as extensive as them but I still managed to rack up an impressive amount of hours.
“You saved all of that?” I marveled while watching Leo scroll through old data.
“I told him I’d kill him if he didn’t,” Nate admitted with a chuckle.
“He did,” Leo confirmed, grinning as he got to the oldest save in the game. “You ready to finally get your ass handed to you?”
Nate stretched his neck and arms out. I rolled my eyes at his exaggeration.
“Let’s do it,” Nate agreed.
They played for hours and let me switch out between them every other round. My brother’s mood lightened with every win. Leo didn’t seem to mind losing. Halfway through the evening, I noticed Leo seemed focused on telling more jokes to get a laugh out of Nate. My brother tended to be the sillier one between the two. Leo seemed focused on taking on the role for himself today.
Somehow, someway, I think he sensed Nate’s low mood. Nate never divulged family drama, especially to those closest to him — Claire’s main complaint when they were together. Yet Leo read through the lines, managing to be there for him without actually letting Nate know he was currently being supported.
Leo noticed me watching them as they entered their twelfth showdown. The sun was already setting, casting an orange glow throughout the living room.
“You okay?” he mouthed with a wrinkle in his brow.
I nodded, trying not to smile too much in case Nate glanced in my direction. The lightness I felt with Leo here made the space feel warm and safe. I curled my legs underneath myself and tugged a pillow into my lap.
My laundry list of things to do wasn’t anywhere close to being done yet I stayed watching the guys play. Their yelling wasn’t as annoying as it used to be because it’d been so long since I’d seen them this excited. Leo was right, the game did make life feel a little less daunting. Or, maybe it was just Leo himself who did that part?
