Chapter 259
Adrian
Boys’ night is a lie.
It’s never about the games, never about the drinks, and definitely never about “just catching up.” It’s about sitting in a room with other men who know too much about you and waiting to see who cracks first.
Tonight, it’s at Noah’s place.
“Uncle Adrian p>
Nova’s small body collides with mine the second I step into Noah’s house, nearly knocking the air out of my lungs.
I laugh as I steady us both. “Hey, whirlwind p>
She barely gives me a second before spinning around.
“Uncle Gun!” she shrieks, launching herself at Gunner with the same enthusiasm.
Nolan trails behind her at a much slower pace, hands clasped neatly behind his back, sharp eyes assessing the scene like he’s walked into a boardroom instead of his own living room.
I love Nolan—but the kid honestly freaks me out sometimes. It’s like there’s an old soul trapped in that small body, quietly judging the rest of us for being inefficient. He reminds me of Number Five from The Umbrella Academy
Noah’s tried everything to get him to just be a kid, but none of it sticks. While most five-year-olds are obsessed with toys and games, Nolan would rather sit beside his dad and listen to conversations about acquisitions and financial reports.
“Hello, Uncle Adrian. Uncle Gunner,” he says solemnly, extending his hand.
I take it, shaking once, but before I can say anything, Gunner scoops him up by the armpits and gives him a quick swing.
When Nolan is placed back on the ground, his expression is thunderous. That frown says everything. He did not approve.
“Where’s your dad?” I ask, glancing around.
I shrug out of my jacket and hang it neatly over the chair closest to the corner while Gunner tosses his onto the couch without looking.
“In his office,” Nova answers, bouncing on the balls of her feet like she’s running on pure electricity.
My gaze flicks between the twins. No matter how often I’m around them, it still amazes me how wildly different they are despite sharing the same face.
Thanks to my nephews, I’ve watched every episode of Teen Titans. Nova and Nolan remind me of Starfire and Raven; only this version feels even more extreme.
Nolan drifts off, likely heading back to Noah, while Nova grabs both Gunner and me by the hands and drags us toward the living room. She forces us onto the couch before launching into an animated retelling of everything that’s happened to her since we last saw her.
My phone buzzes, and I glance down to see Sierra’s name light up my screen.
We went on another date a few days ago, and honestly… she has me hooked in ways no woman ever has.
I don’t know what it is about her. Maybe it’s her kindness, or the way she’s so fiercely passionate about her work and the people she loves. Maybe it’s her intelligence, or those blue eyes that see far more than she ever says out loud. Whatever it is, I want her more than I know how to explain.
“Did you know I’ll have a baby brother soon p>
My thumbs freeze mid-text. I look up slowly, my attention snapping back to Nova.
Gunner straightens beside me, our eyes meeting briefly before we both turn back to her.
“A brother?” Gunner asks, brows lifting. “That so p>
Nova nods enthusiastically. “Yes. But we aren’t supposed to say anything p>
Something shifts in my chest. Not pain. Not fear. Just unease.
“Then why tell us, sweetheart?” Gunner asks, amused.
She shrugs, utterly unconcerned. “Because you’re Daddy’s best friends and I’m sure you already know p>
A chuckle leaves both of us, but mine sounds thinner to my own ears.
With her bubbly personality, people often assume Nova isn’t as sharp as her brother. I don’t believe that for a second. She’s sharp, she just chooses joy where Nolan chooses logic.