As he strolled along the sidewalk, he pulled up the text thread with his brothers. He rolled his eyes, seeing one of them—most likely Noah—had, once again, renamed the thread. Wes had labeled it “Brothers” when they’d started it eons ago. It went back so long, he couldn’t even remember when they started it. In that time, Chris and Noah took turns calling it something else. Today’s was “Two Men & a Wesley.”
Wes
Hey asshats. Don’t forget we’re meeting at Hailey’s tomorrow.
Chris
Why would we forget?
Noah
Because we have a life and he doesn’t.
Wes chuckled.
Wes
What have you done with your life today? Let Gracie make you something to eat, show you some designs, and nod along so you don’t piss her off?
Wes adored both women and was thrilled his brothers had found happiness in all areas of their lives. There was a small piece of him, burrowed deep, that could acknowledge his envy. Some people might think that with them as examples, he’d believe more wholeheartedly in the love thing. But he knew better. From their mom leaving and the women his father fell for taking up residence in their home. From their sister acting out and their dad becoming more remote with every passing day. From his father never recovering when the one woman he’d loved had finally had enough.
He’d protected his younger siblings as well as he could. It hadn’t helped any in terms of saving their relationships with their father but that was his old man’s doing. Wes had given them the supportive words and shoulder they needed growing up because he knew their father wouldn’t. Eventually, both his brothers had left him anyway. Sure, they’d left because of work, not Wes, but it didn’t make him feel any less … alone. They were thrilled when he decided to move across the country and join them. But they wouldn’t have returned to New York for him. Wouldn’t have stayed for him. It sometimes made him question anyone’s staying power.
Noah
Grace wants you guys to come for a BBQ next weekend.
Chris
I’ll check with Everly but I’m sure we’re in.
Noah
Invite Stacey and Rob
Wes thought of Hailey and how she was working to build a life here, how Everly and Grace had accepted her with ease.
Wes
Should I invite Hailey?
Chris
Absolutely! Way to go, bro. She’s awesome.
Wes
As a friend. That’s all we are. You know what friend means right?
Noah
Sadly, for you, it probably means exactly what the dictionary says
Wes
Don’t be an ass
Chris
You’re asking the impossible. For sure, invite her.
Wes
I will.
Chris
Cool.
Noah
Tell me you don’t think she’s hot.
Wes
Give me a second, I’m looking for a GIF of someone strangling their brother.
Wes reached his apartment with twenty minutes to get ready for his meeting. Between missing his brothers and his increasingly strained relationship with his dad, it hadn’t taken much convincing for Wes to follow them to the West Coast. He loved New York but it changed when the two people he was closest to left.
Now he was here and he was happy but he was also restless, and that wasn’t something he was used to. His brothers had really found their groove. Wes didn’t have to work. He could dive into actually creating a video game if he wanted. He’d been thinking more and more about it but still felt this nagging sense of guilt that it would be a “waste” of his time and talent.
Hell, he could spend every day on the beach with someone bringing him ice-cold beers if he wanted. His father would probably respect that more. Why the hell do you still care what he thinks? Glancing at his sketchbook, it was like he could hear his father’s words. They were like a tattoo he wanted removed. That took time.
Grabbing an iced tea from his fridge, he sat down at his small kitchen table, next to the window, listening to the sound of low, soft music drifting out of someone’s apartment.
Chris and Noah seemed so centered, sure of what they were doing. Opening his tablet, Wes reviewed his emails. He took care of all the paperwork, the tech support for each company, vetted possible acquisitions, dug into companies, and managed the investment portfolio. Professionally, he was doing everything he wanted and now, he was doing it with his favorite people.
They were going to create an empire that matched their father’s. His focus was best served doing exactly what he was already doing.
He thought of how happy Hailey seemed every single time she made a sale or took an order. He hadn’t felt like that about a deal or acquisition in so long it felt like a ghost of a memory.