Stuck Up Meets Crazy. [COMPLETED]

FOURTEEN

"I can't believe you're hitting this," Xander's look-alike says with a smirk, dropping onto the couch like he owns the place, completely unfazed by what he's just walked in on.

Cara's jaw drops slightly. Not that this is the most awkward situation she's ever been in—getting caught having sex in the janitor's closet back in high school still holds that title—but at least the teacher who caught them had the decency to look away. Unlike this guy, who's just... staring.

Xander snaps out of his shock, setting Cara down carefully as he smooths his rumpled shirt. Cara quickly grabs her own shirt, pulling it over her chest. "Can you maybe turn around?" she says, her voice tight with annoyance.

Xander heads out of the room without a word, and his clone takes the hint, trailing after him.

"I'll be right back, darling," the twin says with a wink before disappearing.

Cara rolls her eyes. At least the twin didn't inherit Xander's snobby genes.

---

Xander stands by his desk in the study, waiting for his brother to walk in. It only takes a second. Xavier steps inside, shutting the door behind him and glancing around the room like it's his first time here, which only irritates Xander more.

"I leave for a few months, and you've gotten rid of Liza—thank God for that," Xavier says, clasping his hands together and looking up at the ceiling in mock prayer. "Then you, Mr. Player, get yourself a new chick—who's hot, by the way—and now she's pregnant."

Xander watches his brother closely, focusing on his hands. The last time he noticed the shaky left hand, the constant sniffing, the nail-biting... but it all went unnoticed until things got worse. Now, though, he looks... okay. No shaking, no sniffing, no biting.

"What do you want, Xavier?" Xander asks, crossing to his desk. He opens a drawer and pulls out a checkbook.

"W-what?" Xavier lets out a low laugh, which quickly fades when he realizes Xander is serious.

"Let me rephrase that. How much do you want?" Xander asks, picking up a pen.

"Fuck you. Fuck your money. I don't want your money."

"Are you sure about that?" Xander raises an eyebrow, tapping the checkbook with his pen. At this point, his brother usually caves and says what he came for.

"I'm fine, okay? I've been clean for three months now, I'm in a good place. I don't need your money. The show I was on last year just got renewed, and I'm a series regular. I'm also starring in an upcoming movie, so you can shove your money up your ass," Xavier snaps, though deep down he knows he has no right to be angry at his brother.

"So, what are you doing here?" Xander asks, hiding the fact that he's proud Xavier is doing better.

"Lots of things have changed, but you're still an ass," Xavier mutters. "After three months of social media cleanse—thanks to my therapist—I come online and see my brother splashed all over the tabloids. I thought I was the controversial one, but you proved me wrong." Xavier smirks. "So, I came to confirm the news myself."

Xander's study door opens, and Jonathan steps in, a big smile on his face. "A little birdie told me you were around," he says, greeting Xavier with open arms.

Xavier's frown melts into a smile as he turns to hug Jonathan. "I missed you, man," he says, sinking into the embrace. Jonathan has always been like a second dad to him—the only dad he has now.

"I'm glad to see you doing well," Jonathan says, patting his back.

Xander doesn't want to kill the warm mood, but he's not going to pretend everything's fine either. He slides the checkbook back into the drawer and walks out of the study.