Page 10 of Silas's Sweetheart

It was hard to resist punching the fucker in the face when it reminded Silas of why he was late down. He’d slept for shit over a certain tattooed snake, resulting in him oversleeping. “Fuck off!”

He stomped out of the kitchen, past Booker, to the sounds of his brothers laughing and Rue calling out, “Some things never change. Silas was never a morning person.”

“How did I end up with this bunch of fucking idiots?” he muttered, dragging on the suit jacket he’d left on the side in the hallway, along with his laptop, when he’d come downstairs.

“Just lucky, I suppose.”

He didn’t jerk at the sound of Booker right behind him, who he’d not heard follow, but it was a close call.

“You taking your car?” Silas asked instead of giving a reply.

“Yep, wanna lift?”

Silas nodded and followed Booker out of the house moments later, after he’d grabbed his own laptop and car keys.

Out of the drive Silas waited a beat, then said, “Go through the drive through coffee place on Harden avenue.”

“Bossy fucking much?” The grumbled response and Booker complying with his request were both just as Silas had expected. “I suppose that’s why you wanted a fucking lift. How to make me feel used.” He glanced sideways, briefly giving Silas a ‘woe is me’ expression.

Silas shook his head, aiming a ‘are you fucking kidding me right now’ look right back at him.

Booker’s rumbly laughter drowned out the radio. “I missed this.”

“Me too,” Silas admitted, grinning at his brother.

Booker had been his best friend before they’d become brothers. His defender. His person.Should I mention about the coincidence?

He hesitated and debated with himself. Before he could decide, Booker pulled to a stop at the window of the empty drive through. “Want a large black?”

“Yeah, but make it the extra-large.”

Booker relayed the order, getting himself a hot chocolate, causing Silas to chuckle. “You and your damn sweet tooth. You never did grow out of it.”

“It’s Popi’s fault for feeding me hot chocolate late at night after…” Booker lost the jovial smile, his lips thinning.

“I’m gonna tell Popi you’re casting the blame on him,” Silas said, knowing exactly how to switch the topic to stop Booker from brooding. His nightmares had kept Silas up some nights, listening to his cries of pain and terror.

They had talked to death about what had occurred the night that Silas had gotten beaten badly and Booker had lost his family for protecting not only him, but Popi too.

“You do that and I’m gonna squeal about the time you brought back that stupid twat with the nose piercing who wanted to make out on Dad and Popi’s bed.”

Silas’s jaw dropped open as the lady in the window said, “here you go,” while not looking at Booker, but at him with wide eyes and red cheeks.

“You’re a fucking asshole,” he muttered, only loud enough for Booker to hear.

“You already said that,” Booker replied, giving him a big toothy grin while handing him the tray of drinks.

“Okay, how ‘bout I drink your hot chocolate while you’re driving,” he smirked, bringing the drink to his lips.

“You dare!”

Booker put his foot hard on the accelerator and they shot forward, meaning Silas had to take evasive action to avoid wearing Booker’s drink.

“Honestly, I would have thought you’d have grown out of acting like this?” he said in all seriousness, then caught Booker’s wide grin and burst out laughing. It was a good feeling. The continuity soothed his soul.

“Why would I grow out of it when it’s so much fun?”

He laughed all the way into the office, right up until he saw Ziggy sat in front of his desk, smelling sublime and looking good enough to eat.

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