Page 34 of Even Beneath the Stars

"I never chicken out," Xavier mutters, but there's less edge to his voice now. "Let's roll." He pulls out his phone, waving it. "We can blast 'Lil Boo Thang' in the car."

"The whole way?" Finn's entireface lights up.

"On repeat."

"Yes!" Finn bounces toward the staircase, already humming the opening notes. Xavier follows, pausing at the threshold. For a moment, I think he might say something. His mouth opens slightly, closes again. Then he's gone, leaving me alone with the echo of their footsteps and the phantom sound of breaking glass. And then, three minutes later, a text:

Xavier

leave the glass. I'll deal w it when i get back. seriously. not your mess to deal with

And I don't know if I should be touched or offended. I wish you could read tone from a stupid text. Because I can't decide if he's being nice and genuinely means he's the one who smashed the glass and he doesn't expect me to clean it up, or if he's being snarky and is trying to get me to butt out. Which is the scenario I finally settle on, since, let's be honest, it's the most likely.

I still end up cleaning up the glass. Maybe because I can't stand the idea of leaving glass all over the floor, or maybe because I want to make a point.

Maybe both.

Xavier doesn't bring Finn back until way past ten o'clock. I have no idea where he took him, because you don't sit and eat sundaes for two full hours in January. And there isn't exactly a whole lot else to do with a five-year-old this late on a Thursday.

When I go to put Finn to bed shortly after I hear them come upstairs, he isn't in his room. So I knock on Xavier's closed door, but there's no answer.

I knock again.

"What?" Xavier's voice sounds tired.

I push the door open a few inches, prepared to ask Xavier where his brother is, but then I get my answer. He's lying next to him on Xavier's bed. Already fast asleep. They're both on their sides, Xave with one arm wrapped around his little brother.

"Shit." Xavier lifts up onto his elbow. "You stayed up?"

"Yes, I stayed up," I whisper. "It's way past his bedtime… I was waiting to put him to bed."

He looks genuinely confused. "You think I can't put him to bed without your help?"

I sigh. "No Xavier… Believe it or not, it wasn't about you." I fight to keep my voice down. "I was worried about Finn… I wanted to make sure he was okay."

He nods once, still looking a little baffled. A little defensive. Very tired.

"But thank you," I finish, the bite in my voice coming through despite how softly I'm speaking, "for assuming my one goal in life is to put a wedge between you and Finn."

He shifts, rolling his eyes. "Never said that."

"Oh, believe me," I tell him. "It's implied. About fifty times a day."

All I get in response is a shrug. Pretty much confirming that is exactly what he feels. At least partly.

I sigh again. Shift my gaze to Finn, his pale body tucked under his brother's protective arm, pink lips slightly parted in sleep. "How is he?" I ask. "Is he okay?"

"He's fine."

I nod. "Okay. Well… Good night."

"You didn't need to clean up the glass." His eyes meet mine, partially hooded as he looks up at me beneath his long lashes. "I told you not to do that."

"I know. I didn't mind."

He fixes his stare on my bare feet. "I was going to clean it up."

"Well, you were out, so…"

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