i

table as he set his cup of coffee down, his smoky-d

nd gave his stepbrother a que

em preo

was already ten to eight. “Am I?” he asked,

bothering him. “If Haru is going to be l

I’m his eldest brother. I can

s mother, Aiden. Stop pampering him and start f

the door at that mom

ated?” He picked up his cup of coffee and took

or not isn’t any of your business, either one of you.” His tone was firm as he stared a

ever you say. If you want to be single for the rest of your life, then that has nothing

ng across his lips. “Is that sarcasm I he

cheeky smile in return. “Sar

, “Is Mason up yet?” He poured himself a glass

d, “Still

four this morning. I heard him making a

t that bar. I know he gets really good pay,

at the same time. I don

for signs of Haru again, said, “It’s

iden, but it doesn’t mean Mason has to be one, too. Besides, it’s not like we c

hours would be a good idea, considering he’s in his third year at t

ir eyes to Aiden, expecting

esponsibilities as the head of the family

age, appeared at the door. He was still in his sleepwear and his honey-blo

everyone,”

early for going to

for a piece of toast. “I got hungry in my s

ded. “Go

o turned their eyes to Aiden and signa

n and began. “Mason, we need to

as he nodded. “Sure. You want

ause he was one of the most easygoing and considerate gu

’t have to work so late anymore. But quitting that job is an option, t

ger about reducing my hours. But I won’t

oah and Reo grinned. Discussion closed, ea

idn’t you say yesterday you have a m

re no set work hours. Saturday, such as today,

inspect a few of the

York are they look

East

led in app

be quite a commis

f everything goe

e stood near the sink and took

own. “Why are you stil

e of toast, Noah said,

you. You should have gone in fi

aybe we should find another apartmen

d with raised brows. “That’s

be very expensive. Do we even need to move

than we used to be, but you’re the only one with a stable income. And besides, do you actually want to sell this

the first and only home their father, Michael Davis, and stepmother, Sana Ono,

en painting and decorating, which all had been done after their full-time jobs, from evening to the early hours of the morning and throughout the weekends. Once it had finally been compl

parents occupied, Aiden himself had shared a room with

bed and snuggle into his arms. Then when their parents passed away, Haru had refused to sleep in his own bed. Aiden had known the boy had been afraid to lose another member of his big

tives to speak of to rely on. Their dad, Michael Davis, and dead biological mother, Annie Davis, had both b

of twenty-one had been truly tiring. So Aiden had secretly leaned on Har

ned fifteen years old, he announced that he’d turn the walk-in clo

iving room into his own sanctuary while Noah, Reo, Mason, and Isaac picked their desired bedrooms. Haru had still stubbornly wanted the wa

u had said. “If you guys aren’t going to help me take do

-in closet into a decent-sized room, which had just enough space to fit in a

gh a lot while living in it, experiencing the good, the fun, and the sad, pai

ny memories.” He chuckled. “Although I do have enough sav

een leeching off you enough already. Besides, it w

nd said firmly, “Nobody i

rothers’ parting, but he couldn’t help himself. The thought of

duated here. About to start full-time work next week at one of the biggest gamin

hat mean we’ll be able t

aid, “

ed. “What’s for breakfast? And what are you all chattin’ about? I he

me old. Toast and scrambled

e good enough for me.” He took a seat beside Aiden and started gathe

creamy scrambled eggs into his

ray T-shirt, his dark hair wet from his

off now. See y

bout to leave again when Noah sa

nd him. “I’ll drop you off. Now have some breakfa