His Brother Was Back

His Brother Was Back

Damien pulled into the private arrival lane at the Salt Lake City airport. The evening breeze drifted in through the open window of his car, cool enough to settle his nerves.

But the moment he saw Adrian walk out of the VIP exit, dragging his black suitcase with that familiar cocky stride, Damien’s chest warmed.

It had been years, too many years since they’d seen each other in the same city. Phone calls were never the same. Texts felt too short. And life, career, responsibilities, and Adrian’s new marriage had swallowed their friendship whole.

But now, his brother is back.

Damien stepped out of the car, and Adrian’s face lit up with the same reckless grin he used to wear in college before he talked people into doing stupid things.

“Cole,” Damien said.

“Holstein,” Adrian fired back, smirking as he dropped his suitcase and pulled Damien into a tight, back-slapping hug. “Damn, you got old.”

Damien barked a laugh. “You’ve grown fat.”

“Excuse you, this is marriage weight. It’s healthy.”

“You mean dangerous.”

They both laughed, loud enough that an elderly couple turned to stare at them. It felt good.

He grabbed Adrian’s suitcase, tossed it into the trunk, and got into the car. Adrian whistled as he looked around the interior.

“You’re doing well for yourself,” he said.

Damien snorted. “Trust me, I wish I was.” Typical Damien, he was a modest guy.

“Yeah, I don't believe that. You corporate bastards can’t help yourselves.”

They laughed again as Damien pulled out of the airport.

The ride home was filled with teasing, catching up, and the kind of conversations that only existed between two people who had seen each other at their lowest and highest.

Adrian talked about his wife, about how he still couldn’t believe he had settled down.
Damien reminded him of the number of hearts he broke in college.

Adrian countered, “We both know you were worse. You just did it quietly.”

Damien rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.

He had been reckless. Women, money, nightlife, he had done everything he wasn’t proud of. But life had knocked the nonsense out of him, slowly, painfully, until he became the man he was now.

And then…There was Tessa.

The woman who had turned him inside out without even trying.

He didn’t say it yet, not until they were home with a drink in hand. At least that was the plan.

………..

The moment they stepped into Damien’s home, Adrian stepped in, looking around the living area. This was a very nice and serene place to live.

The chef had already set the table with roasted lamb, seasoned potatoes, and a bottle of aged wine Damien had been saving for the occasion.

His staff disappeared quietly, leaving the two men alone.

They sat. They ate. They drank. And when the wine warmed their chests and loosened their tongues, the conversation turned personal.

Adrian tapped his wedding ring against the table. “Crazy, right? Me, married.”

Damien smirked. “I’m still waiting for the day your wife returns you for a refund.”

Adrian shot him a glare. “Shut up. You’re one to talk. When are you settling down? Or do you still change women like shirts?”

Damien’s laughter faded.

It was almost embarrassing how quickly his mind jumped to her.

Tessa.

He reached for his glass before answering. “It’s… complicated.”

Adrian leaned back. “Complicated is usually code for, I like her, but I’m scared as hell. Who's she?”

Damien rubbed his jaw, weighing how much to say. But this was the one person he never lied to. So he told him everything.
He didn’t spare details. He didn’t sugarcoat anything, from the very first day he met Tessa.

When he was done, Adrian stared at him like he’d just confessed to murder.

“Damien,” he finally said, “this is fucked.”

“I know.”

“No, this is seriously fucked.”

Damien leaned back in the chair and exhaled. “You think I don’t know that? I’ve never felt this way for anyone.”

Adrian blinked. “You love her?”

Damien’s throat tightened. “I don’t know if it’s love, but it feels like something.”

“Something?” Adrian echoed. “Damien, that ‘something’ is eating you alive.”

Silence settled between them.

Adrian finally sighed. “Listen to me carefully. If you plan to take this somewhere, talk to her. Let her know where your mind is. Don’t pretend to be okay being her friend today and then surprise her with a relationship proposal next month. That’ll mess things up.”

Damien nodded slowly.Adrian wasn’t wrong.

“And Damien,” Adrian added, “if she doesn’t want you back, don’t force it. Let it go. You’ve both been through too much already.”

Damien swallowed hard. “Yeah.”

Adrian studied him for a long moment. “You’re scared, aren’t you?”

Damien laughed humorlessly. “Terrified.”

Adrian leaned back in his seat. “Good. Means it matters.”