Stronger Together (bxb) ✔

Chapter 68 - Bryan

Bryan's POV

"You can take that to the kitchen," Aerial instructs, ushering Jesse and Chase in the opposite direction of the kitchen, while waving Diego and I towards it. "Mason and Justin are just preparing dinner."

Chase blows Diego a kiss, who blows him one back and Jesse tries and fails to wink at me before giving up and making a heart with his hands. I chuckle and make a heart back.

On the drive here, Jesse told Chase about his day with Shawn after Chase finished recounting his interview for Jesse. Chase then spent the rest of the drive cuddling with Diego, who kept whispering things to Chase that made him smile, while Jesse wanted to play some games to pass the time. So of course I obliged, and it actually turned out to be a really fun drive.

Once we arrived at Mason's house, we were introduced to Chloe and I met Aerial and Amy before we were sent to the kitchen to drop off the wine which Diego and I brought.

"I really thought we'd have until after dinner to be left alone with Mason and Justin," he whispers, as both of us stand outside the kitchen door.

"Me too," I admit. "But you've met Mason before and he was nice?"

Diego nods. "He was, but isn't Justin the harder one to win over?"

"Jesse said he'll probably give us a hard time initially but he knows that he'll like us."

He pouts. "But I've already had my fair share of difficult siblings," Diego whines and I release a soft chuckle, remembering how over protective Jesse was in the beginning. "Oh," he murmurs, turning towards me and I raise an eyebrow in response. "Chase said that he still wants to go to the benefit, but if he changes his mind-"

I interrupt him, already knowing what he is going to ask. Diego's team is heavily involved in the planning of the event, so Diego should be attending. "You don't have to go. It's close to the date of Chase's trial, so of course helping and supporting him however he needs should come first."

He pats my back, and flashes me an appreciative smile. "Rock, paper scissors to see who has to enter first?"

"What are you, a child?" I ask, rolling my eyes. Nonetheless, I comply and as luck would have it, I end up losing. I roll my eyes again and turn the door knob.

The two tall blonde guys, one with the same blueish grey eyes as the twin and the other with dark brown eyes, both halt what they're doing to stare at me. The one with the dark brown eyes flashes me a warm smile. "You must be Bryan! I'm Mason, nice to meet you." He walks over and shakes my hand before embracing Diego in a quick hug. "Nice to see you again, Diego!"

Diego grins and greets him and I can't help the pang of jealousy that overcomes me when he gets a hug and I don't. It's not that I wanted a hug, I just think that I should get a hug if Diego got one. Not to mention, the clear excitement in Mason's voice when he greeted Diego. Sure he sounded excited to meet me, but not as excited.

"And this is Justin." Mason beckons to Justin, pulling me from my petty thoughts.

Justin saunters over to us, his gaze scrutinising, like an appraiser trying to decide how much a painting is worth. "Nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about both of you."

"Good things I hope," I reply with a chuckle.

Mason releases a light laugh and agrees, while Justin barely cracks a smile. I suppress a sigh, well this is going great. "We brought you this," I say, holding up the gift bag containing the two bottles of wine from Diego and I.

"Thank you!" Mason takes the gift bag before returning to the stove.

"Jesse and Chase tell me you are the CEO of a company and you're head of Public Relations," Justin comments, leaning against the wall. He gives off the vibe like he would have been one of those cool kids that everyone hated but secretly wanted to be in school. "Has it been difficult dating with your demanding jobs?"