Brothers Best Friend (Vinnie Hacker)

Chapter 34

I can't believe it.

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As my brother prepares to depart from the home he helped build, I find it difficult to meet his gaze. Surveying the room, I notice Vinnie wearing the same expression as everyone else, but there's something more in his eyes—an unmistakable sense of disappointment.

Turning away, Vinnie strides hastily to our room. I hurry after him, only to be met with the abrupt slam of the door in my face. Ignoring my repeated knocks, Vinnie's voice echoes from within, granting me entry to our shared space.

"Sorry," I murmur, feeling awkward in the silence.

"No need to apologize. I just need a moment alone," Vinnie responds softly.

"Alright. Please text me if you need anything," I offer before planting a kiss on his cheek and exiting the room.

"You're so dense," I mutter, tossing my beanie at Ryland's direction.

"How could you do this? This house can't function without you," I exclaim, frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Riley..." Ryland begins, but I cut him off.

"Don't even try. Are you seriously giving up all of this? Sometimes I wonder if your brain still functions. Is there even anything in there anymore?" I question, my tone calmer but no less firm.

"You don't get it," Ryland insists, fiddling with the chains around his wrist.

"What part of it don't I get, huh? Try to consider someone other than yourself for once," I urge, my patience waning.

"Alright, that's it! I'm not doing this to hurt anybody or destroy anything. It's just that after three years, I need to try something new," Ryland explains, his voice tinged with resignation.

"Who are you moving in with?" I inquire.

"Chase, Boof, and Baron," Ryland responds.

"When are you leaving?" I press.

"In three days," he whispers.

"What? What am I going to do without you? Is anyone else moving out?" I ask, feeling overwhelmed.

"Kio is moving into Sway, and Vinnie and Nick are moving into Hype House," Ryland reveals.

"I can't believe it. I can't deal with this right now," I say, the weight of the news settling heavily on my shoulders as I exit the room.

Walking all the way to Sway, I find the house eerily quiet. Entering Jaden's room, I see him sleeping soundly, while Payton sits against the headboard.

"Literally just left like 30 minutes ago," Jaden remarks upon my return.

"Ryland, Kio, Nick, and Vinnie are moving out," I disclose, the gravity of the situation hanging heavy in the air.

"Why didn't you tell me about Kio moving in?" I ask, feeling a lump form in my throat, emotions teetering on the edge.

"I didn't know," Jaden admits.

"Can you grab me a shirt?" he requests, breaking the tension. I oblige, selecting a shirt from his closet.

"What are you going to do?" Payton inquires, taking a bite of his noodles.

"I don't know. I was kind of thinking about moving back home, but I don't want to leave everybody," I confess.

"You can move in with me," Payton offers.

"Really?" I ask, a smile breaking across my face.

"Sure," Payton confirms, mirroring my smile.

"Can I have some time to think about it?" I ask.

"Of course. Just let me know whenever you decide," Payton responds.

"Thanks, guys. I think I'm going to get back to talking to Vinnie to figure all of this out," I say. Suddenly, a realization dawns on me.

"Don't you live in NC?" I inquire.

"Yeah, but I'm getting the keys to a house in LA tomorrow," Payton reveals, a smirk playing on his lips.

"OMG, Payton!" I exclaim, enveloping him in a hug.

"When do you want to move in?" he asks.

"In three days, when everyone else moves out," I decide.

"Alright. I'll see you in three days," Payton says, waving as I leave.

"I'm back!" I announce upon returning to the house.

"Finally. Have you figured something out?" Kio asks.

"Yeah, I'm moving in with Payton to his house," I reveal.

"That's amazing," Nick exclaims.

Entering my and Vinnie's room, I find him streaming.

"Hey, V," I greet him, settling onto our bed. Hera jumps onto the bed and curls up in my lap.

"Alright, guys, I'm going to head off now. So, see you whenever I stream again," Vinnie says, turning off his livestream.

He joins me on the bed, wrapping his arms around me and resting his head on my shoulder.

"What's on your mind?" I ask.

"I'm just feeling confused, stressed, and kinda tired," Vinnie admits.

"I understand that, and I'm moving in with Payton," I say, gently massaging his head.

"Alright, I think I trust you enough to let you live with him," Vinnie says.

"Thank you," I reply, planting a kiss on his forehead.

"Are you still mad at Ryland?" he inquires.

"Never been more mad," I confess.

"I've been thinking about something," I begin.

"What's that?" Vinnie prompts.

"I love you, but I think we've both been a little immature in this relationship," I say.

"Keep going," he encourages.

"And I'm not suggesting we break up, but maybe we should both try to be a little more mature and adult-like," I suggest.

"Is 'adulty' even a word?" he teases, and we both dissolve into laughter

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