"Can't a guy visit his big brother without an interrogation?" He drops his portfolio on the counter and helps himself to a mug from the cabinet. "Morning, Micah. Didn't realize you'd be here."
"Friday movie night," Micah says, his cheeks slightly pink. "We fell asleep on the couch."
"Ah, the famous Friday night ritual," Jason says, filling his mug with coffee. "The highlight of Nick's social calendar."
"Did you need something specific, or are you just here to be annoying?" I ask, flipping the omelet I'm making.
Jason leans against the counter, clearly settling in for a longer visit than I'd hoped. "Mom wanted me to drop off those drawings for your classroom. The sports figure illustrations you asked for?"
"Right, thanks," I say, sliding the omelet onto a plate and handing it to Micah. "You want breakfast?"
"Nah, I already ate." Jason takes a sip of his coffee, watching us with that amused expression I've learned to distrust. "Don't let me interrupt your morning routine."
The way he says "routine" makes it sound like something else entirely.
Micah clears his throat. "I'm going to grab a quick shower, if that's okay?"
"Course," I nod. "Clean towels in the hall closet."
"I know," he says with a small smile, then disappears down the hallway.
As soon as we hear the bathroom door close, Jason turns to me with that infuriating smirk.
"So," he says, drawing out the word. "You and Micah, huh?"
"Me and Micah what?" I keep my voice neutral, cracking more eggs for my own breakfast.
"Come on, Nick. You can't seriously still be playing the 'just friends' card."
I put the whisk down harder than necessary. "Wearejust friends."
Jason raises an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Because nothing says 'just friends' like the way you two finish each other's sentences. Or how he automatically makes your coffee exactly how you like it."
"That's called knowing someone since college."
"Sure," Jason agrees easily. "But it doesn't explain the way you look at him when you think no one's watching."
Unease twists in my chest. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jason studies me for a long moment, like he's trying to decide how much to say. "You really don't see it, do you?"
"See what?"
"The way Micah looks at you like you hung the moon. The way you automatically reach for him when he's upset. The factthat you've been essentially dating each other for years without calling it that."
The sound of the shower turning off saves me from having to respond to that particular bombshell. Jason sighs, picking up his coffee again.
"Look, I'm not trying to give you shit," he says, his voice gentler. "I just think maybe it's time you asked yourself why none of these dates work out. Why you keep coming back to Friday nights on the couch with Micah instead of trying to build something with someone else."
Before I can process that fully, Micah returns, hair damp and wearing one of my t-shirts that's too big for him, something so normal I've never questioned until this exact moment.
Jason notices my stare and grins.
"Gotta run," he says, gathering his portfolio. "Got a client meeting at eleven." He pulls me into a quick hug, then does the same to Micah. "Always good to see you, Micah. Try to keep this one in line, yeah?"
"Fighting a losing battle there," Micah replies with a grin.
As Jason heads for the door, he turns back with that knowing smile. "Oh, Mom says to bring Micah to Sunday dinner next week. She's making that apple crumble he likes."