Brothers Best Friend [Vinnie Hacker]

Chapter 15

We've been splashing in the water for what feels like hours. The sun has started to dip, casting everything in a warm, golden haze. Now, we're lying on a blanket near the shore, my head resting against Vinnie's chest. His steady heartbeat and the softness of his hoodie make it hard to keep my eyes open.

He brought the hoodie just for me, knowing I'd get cold later. Typical Vinnie.

I shift slightly, my arms still wrapped around his torso, and giggle when I feel his muscles flex beneath the fabric.

"What?" he asks, glancing down at me.

"Nothing," I mumble, snuggling closer.

"We should head out. Starbucks closes soon," he reminds me.

That snaps me back to life.

"Let's go!" I shout, darting toward the car, already craving my favorite pink drink.

After a few failed rounds of rock-paper-scissors, I finally win and choose a pink drink for myself, and a violet one for Vinnie.

"Damn, this one's amazing," he says after the first sip, and I laugh at the surprised look on his face.

Skipping ahead to when we get home...

As I walk through the door, I'm immediately hit with a tense atmosphere. Kio, Ryland, and Nick are standing in the hallway, looking uneasy.

"What's going on?" I ask, slowing to a stop.

Kio doesn't say anything. He just nods toward the hallway.

"You should check Vinnie's room."

And then I hear it—the scream. It's raw and guttural, filled with pain. My stomach drops.

I rush to the room and find Jaden pacing like he's trying to outrun something. His hoodie is soaked in tears, and his hands won't stop shaking.

"Jaden?" I say, gently.

The moment our eyes meet, he stumbles forward and collapses into my arms.

I catch him, sinking to the floor with him, and hold him close. His whole body trembles.

"Talk to me. What happened?"

He can barely get the words out. "My phone..."

I glance down and see it beside us, the screen shattered but still glowing faintly. The image staring back at me sends a sharp pang through my chest—his ex, wrapped around another guy.

"Oh, Jaden..."

I pull him tighter, trying to hold in my own emotions. "She doesn't deserve your pain."

"But I loved her," he chokes out.

"I know," I whisper, my hand rubbing small circles on his back. "I know you did."

We've been on the floor for a while now. Jaden's breathing has slowed, and his body is heavier against mine. I glance up when I hear a light knock.

Ryland pushes the door open and steps inside quietly.

"I've been trying to get in for hours," he says softly. "He wouldn't open up."

He takes in the scene—Jaden limp in my arms, the phone nearby—and his face falls. Without another word, he walks over and gently lifts Jaden off me, laying him down in the bed and tucking a blanket over him.

He sits beside the bed, leaning back against the wall, his head falling to the side. Within minutes, he's asleep too.

I climb into bed on the other side and sit with my legs crossed, brushing Jaden's hair back with my fingers. The room is quiet, dim, and still aching with everything he's holding in.

Vinnie walks in a few minutes later. He sees me sitting there, fingers still tangled in Jaden's hair, and quietly asks, "Can I join you?"

I nod.

Vinnie sits beside me on the bed, pressing his shoulder against mine, and rests his head on me gently. I feel the tension ease a little with him there.

We don't speak at first. The quiet says enough.

Then Jaden stirs. His breathing changes, and his face twists like he's stuck in a bad dream.

"She lied... she lied to me," he mumbles, barely audible.

I glance at Vinnie, concern flashing in my eyes.

"He's dreaming," Vinnie says quietly. "I used to have nightmares like that after my breakup. It'll pass."

Still, I can't ignore the way Jaden's fingers twitch at his side.

I lean closer and whisper, "Hey, you're okay. It's just a dream."

His eyes crack open just a little. "You saved me," he whispers. It breaks my heart all over again.

"Try to sleep, Jaden. I'm right here."

I keep running my fingers through his hair until his breathing evens out again.

"Can you hold my hand?" he mumbles, still half-asleep.

I glance at Vinnie, who just gives a small nod.

"Of course," I say, taking Jaden's hand in mine. His grip is weak at first, but then it tightens briefly—like he just needs to know he's not alone.

Soon, both Vinnie and Jaden are asleep. I can hear their quiet breathing, feel the weight of the moment, the grief, the healing beginning.

I'm exhausted but not ready to move. So I stay there, holding Jaden's hand, Vinnie resting against me, and the room finally calm.

Later, a soft knock wakes me from my thoughts.

Ryland steps back in. He looks at Jaden, then at me.

"Think he's out cold?" he asks quietly.

"Yeah. Can you carry him to the car and drive him back to Sway? He won't notice," I whisper.

Ryland walks over and carefully lifts Jaden from the bed. I gently pull my hand away from his, and Jaden doesn't stir. Ryland cradles him with surprising ease, nods once at me, and disappears out the door.

I nudge Vinnie awake, and we stumble off to bed together.

The next morning...

I wake up alone. Vinnie's not in bed.

I get dressed and head downstairs, where I find both Vinnie and Ryland waiting in the kitchen.

"Morning," Ryland says, sipping his coffee. "He made it home safe. Slept the whole way."

"Good. Thank you." I give him a grateful smile.

"Actually," Vinnie adds, "we have something to tell you."

I raise an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"Stormi, Kio, Nick, and I are leaving for a business trip this weekend. You'll have the house to yourself for a few days, if that's okay?"

"Oh, totally fine," I reply, hiding my excitement behind a calm smile.

In my head, though? I'm already planning the party of the year.

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hey guyssssss, yay new chapter

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<Laura>