Page 42 of Unknowingly Being his Brat

He… he wanted that? Tears formed and the diner suddenly became a blurred mess. Hearing Jeremy say that had healed something inside of me, something I had no idea could be mended back together. I hadn’t realized just how much I wanted my big brother in my life, as a brother and not my rival.

“I want that, too,” I whispered, accepting the napkin Darius so kindly offered me. “I don’t even care about what we do with Dad. I’m so tired of trying to please him. Of trying to be who he wants me to be. I’m finally happy to just be me.”

Chapter Twenty

Darius

Milo was so vulnerable and open as we sat there with Jeremy and Cass. It seemed like time stood still around us as the brothers finally opened up and began talking. Even Cass started crying, so I’d handed him a napkin as well.

Loren chose that moment to come over with our drinks, the smoothies having two swirly straws and umbrellas in them.

“Here you go, lads. I’ll be out in a jiffy with your meals, yeah?”

“Thank you,” I said, knowing the others were trying to get themselves back together.

As soon as Loren had left, Jeremy hugged Cass to his side. “You were right,” he whispered into his mate’s ear. “I truly did need this.”

“I told you so!” Cass replied, slapping his chest playfully. “And with my muffins everything will be okay.”

I had no idea if he meant literal muffins or if this was some sort of dirty talk, but considering I saw no muffins anywhere near us, I pretended I didn’t hear anything as I hugged my mate closer to my side.

“You were perfect,” I whispered into his ear, then pecked a kiss on his cheek. “My wonderful Milo.”

He blushed, hiding his face between my neck and shoulder. “You’re too good for me.”

“Nah, I’m perfect for you, baby. Like you’re perfect for me.” I’d never meant anything more.

“Holy fuck that’s good!” Cass exclaimed, sucking away on the pink smoothie he’d had to have after we’d ordered ours.

“Yeah?” Milo grinned, pulling the blue one closer to us.

“Hmm,” Cass hummed. “This one is sweet yet fresh. I’m gonna need this every time we come here, Jeremy, likeeverytime.”

That was enough of a selling point for us, so we each grabbed a straw and tried the blue one together. Sour freshness exploded on my senses before a creamy sweetness took over.

“Damn,” I muttered, eyeing the menu for the ingredients. “There’s a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it,” I laughed.

“For real?” Milo laughed too, his face moving closer to mine to sneak a peek at the menu as well. “Each smoothie is basically a slightly healthier milkshake, but not truly a smoothie.”

“I don’t give a shit,” Cass declared, slurping loudly. “I’m getting my weekly fruit intake and besides, life is too short to not enjoy this perfect concoction of creamy goodness.”

“Creamy goodness, huh?” Jeremy teased, making Cass blush again.

Loren came over to our table with his hands full, so many different plates with yummy stuff on them.

“More to come, don’t worry, Jeremy,” Loren deadpanned, causing Cass to snort out some smoothie next to him.

“Hey!” Jeremy argued. “I’m not that bad!”

“Of course you aren’t,” I cooed, making the table and Loren laugh.

“You four can start with this,” Loren said, wiping his hands on his apron. “I’ll bring more your way in ten minutes.”

“Perfect, thank you,” Milo said, smiling at Loren.

“What should we start with?” I asked, eyeing the soups and small plates with appetizers.

And so, we dug in, letting our bellies be filled to the brim. It only took us an hour to finish all the food, Jeremy being a big help with getting everything eaten.