Austen smiles, and it’s the most genuine look of happiness I’ve ever seen. Almost like he didn’t expect us to be here, but he’s happy we are.
“Did you tell him we were coming, Alex?” I ask, nudging him with my shoulder. Alex smirks.
“No.”
I let out a laugh, shaking my head.
Fucking asshole.
Still, I can’t help but smile, because the fact Alex put this together—purely to surprise his brother—maybe change isn’t so bad, after all.
Austen comes up to us, Cameron lingering behind him with a grin of his own. Paul is the first to give him a heavy bro hug, then he moves to Andre, then to me.
“Congratulations, man,” I tell him as he beams with excitement.
“Thanks,” he says as he leans in to hug Hudson next, who doesn’t let go right away. He says something to Austen I can’t decipher due to the low tone of his voice, but whatever it is, Austen looks pleased to hear it.
Austen gives Mack a genuine smile before Alex tells him how fucking cool this whole place is, and I don’t miss the pride in his voice.
He definitely seems different. More open, I guess?
I remember Alex being a dick most of the time, especially to Austen.
And he’s still a dick, don’t get me wrong. But…
I’m starting to think maybe beneath the asshole, he’s not as much of an asshole as he makes himself out to be.
“Cameron,” Mack greets.
I freeze as I watch him extend his hand. Hudson shifts beside me, brushing his arm against me. He shifts into my space. I don’t move, transfixed by the flush of warmth running through me by the sight of Mack’s extended hand.
He and Cameron never got along that well, and you can feel the tension in the air. This could go either way, honestly.
“Mack.” Cameron carefully speaks, taking his hand. He shakes it, and I see the smile form on Austen’s face. He grins with pride.
And dare I say,love?
Yeah, he never looked at Savannah like that.
The sight makes my cheeks burn as I realize no one has ever looked atmelike that.
We all chat for a bit, Austen telling us about the property and the proposed launch of his game. Cameron wraps his arm around him, and I don’t miss the way Austen grins when he does so, or the smitten look in Cameron’s eyes when hestaresat Austen like he’s the thing worth celebrating.
And maybe he is.
I can’t imagine it was easy to get divorced, move to New York, come out with aboyfriend, and open a fucking business in the span of a year.
All I’ve done in the last year is work.
When Alex spots their parents, he gets antsy and takes off, leaving Austen and Cameron to entertain them. Paul and Andre excuse themselves, leaving Hudson and I at the table, with our drinks.
He looks a little frazzled.
When did that happen?
“You good?” I ask, realizing even though everyone’s vacated the table, he’s still in my space.
It’s kind of nice, actually.
