Wei started pulling out pans with suspicious efficiency. “Ah yes, the morning-after awkwardness. Fascinating.”
Jaxson choked on his water. “What?”
“The morning after whatever made Lan bolt like he’d seen a ghost wearing your face,” Wei clarified, his innocent tone fooling exactly no one. “What did you think I meant?”
Colt’s eyes narrowed fractionally, something dark and suspicious flickering in their depths. A muscle jumped in his jaw, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “I’m going for my run.” He pushed off the wall, tension radiating from every movement.
Once Colt was gone, Wei turned to Jaxson with a look that said he knew exactly what happened last night. “So…”
“Don’t.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were thinking it loudly.”
“By the way, want to help shop for the party? Unless you’re too busy making our baby brother practice his door-slamming technique.”
Jaxson groaned, desperate to change the subject. “That would be great, actually. A distraction would?—”
“Help you stop thinking about whatever happened last night that has Lan hiding in his room like it’s a nuclear bunker?”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re insufferable?”
“Frequently. Oh, and Sofia’s coming tonight, isn’t she?”
Jaxson’s head snapped up. “How did you?—”
“Please. She’s been texting me about Lan all week. Something about making sure he’s eating properly and not being ‘corrupted.’” Wei’s air quotes spoke volumes, his knowing gaze making Jaxson shift uncomfortably. There was something about the way Wei said ‘corrupted’ that suggested he knew more than he was letting on—as if he was privy to some knowledge that Jaxson wasn’t.
“Great. Just great.”
Xander and Nico chose that moment to stumble in, both looking like they’d lost a fight with their pillows. Xander’s usual perfect hair was sticking up in ways that defied physics, while Nico had somehow managed to put his shirt on backward.
“Morning!” Nico yawned, collapsing into a chair. “Why does Lan’s door have a ‘Do Not Disturb Or Die’ sign on it? And why does Jaxson look like he went twelve rounds with guilt and lost?”
“Because our dear eldest brother has mastered the art of making Lan run away,” Wei supplied helpfully, sliding plates of eggs across the table.
Xander’s eyes flickered between Jaxson and the empty doorway, something knowing in his gaze that made Jaxson’s hackles rise. “What’s new about that?”
There was something in Xander’s tone, a subtle edge that made Jaxson study him more closely. The way his eyes lingeredon Lan’s empty chair, the slight tension in his shoulders… it was almost like he was… jealous? The thought triggered another low growl in Jaxson’s chest, one he had to consciously suppress.
“So,” Wei said, “shopping for tonight. Who’s helping?”
“Can’t,” Xander said, suddenly very interested in his toast. “Study group with Tyler and Justin.”
“You mean those two idiots who thought a potato was a fruit?” Nico snorted.
“Better than someone who tried to microwave metal.”
“That was an experiment!”
“In how to burn down the apartment?”
“Children.” Wei’s voice cut through their bickering. “Focus. Nico?”
“Also busy.” Nico attempted puppy eyes that hadn’t worked since he was twelve. “Meeting friends.”
“You have friends?” Xander gasped in mock surprise.