End Game

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Nate

The house buzzed with the familiar chaos of a family gathering. Laughter echoed off the walls, and the smell of cinnamon and vanilla drifted in from the kitchen, where Aurora was helping Kelly and Hannah decorate sugar cookies. Kelly had flour dusted through her hair like snow, and Hannah had a streak of green frosting across her cheek, but neither cared—they were grinning ear to ear, chattering away as Aurora leaned in, laughing with them.

I couldn't stop watching her. She looked like she belonged here, like she'd been doing this for years instead of just slipping into our world. My world. It hit me hard, how easily she fit, and how badly I wanted her to stay.

Across the room, Lucas sat perched on the couch, his sketchbook balanced carefully on his knees. He'd been doing better lately—better than I'd dared hope for after his last seizure a couple months back. Watching him fight through the recovery had felt like being trapped in a nightmare I couldn't fix. He's my little brother in every way that matters, and seeing him so fragile gutted me.

But today was different. His smile when we walked in was genuine, his eyes brighter. It felt like a small victory, like we were finally turning a corner.

Aurora had tried talking to him earlier, asking about his art. He hadn't said much, but there'd been warmth in the way he answered her, cautious but curious. That meant more than she realized. Bringing her here mattered to me. I wanted Lucas to see the girl who had me twisted up inside, and I wanted her to see him too.

"Stop staring," Momsie said as she breezed past, balancing a tray of cookies.

"I'm not staring," I muttered.

"You are," she shot back, grinning. "And it's cute."

Mom's laugh chimed in from the kitchen doorway. "We're just glad that this time Aurora's here because there's... more than friendship involved."

"Don't get too excited," I warned, though I couldn't hide my smile. "You'll jinx it."

They just laughed, and Momsie patted my shoulder. "Oh, Nate. We're just happy to see you happy, that's all."

Later, when the sugar-cookie chaos wound down, Aurora slipped onto the couch beside me. Her knee brushed mine, and the simple contact sent heat up my leg.

"You're really good with Kelly and Hannah," I said, nodding toward the kitchen where my foster sisters were now shrieking with laughter over some TikTok attempt.

Aurora smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "They're so sweet. I love how carefree they are. It's... refreshing."

"They've been like that since they came into our family," I said. "No filters. No hesitations. Just pure Hannah and Kelly."

Her gaze shifted toward Lucas, who was still bent over his sketchbook. "And Lucas?"

I hesitated. "He's quieter. Took him a while to open up, even with us."

She frowned slightly, thoughtful. "He seems... deep. Like there's a lot going on in his head."

"There is," I admitted. "But he's a good kid. He just keeps to himself. Still—he's been dying to meet you."

Her lips curved nervously. "Yeah, and you're sure he won't hate me?"

"Hate you?" I snorted. "He's heard all about you, Ginger. If anything, you should be worried he likes you more than he likes me."

That earned me a soft, genuine laugh. I caught her hand and gave it a squeeze, but her curiosity got the better of her. Before I could stop her, she was already crossing the room.