The Replay (Boys of Richland #3)

16. Gabriel

gabriel

. . .

The Wolf Den is buzzing with the usual Tuesday crowd—low-key but lively. College students fill the tables, pitchers of cheap beer sloshing around as they laugh too loud over the music. The air smells like fried food, beer, and a little bit of sweat. Feels like home.

I lean back, my arm draped across the back of Cecilia’s chair. Her fingers trace idle patterns on my thigh, and it’s doing a good job of keeping me grounded. This is what I needed. The casual vibe, the shitty beer, Cecilia close enough to touch—it’s the kind of night I can sink into.

Across the table, Adriana’s laughing at something Kenji just said. He’s leaning back, all cocky smiles and easy charm. Typical hockey player. But, surprisingly, not a total asshole. He’s got Adriana’s attention, and from the way she’s leaning in, I’d say she’s interested.

Not my business, though. Julio’s been blowing up my phone ever since I left the house, freaking out about Adriana being on this date with another guy even if he won’t admit it. I shove my phone in my pocket and decide to deal with him later, but right now? Right now, I’m chilling.

“This place has changed a bit since I was here last,” Kenji says, taking a pull from his beer. His eyes flick around the bar, scanning the updates. “Still has the best wings, though.”

Adriana rolls her eyes, nudging him with her elbow. “You’re such a guy.”

He smirks. “What? A guy can appreciate good wings.”

Cecilia laughs softly beside me, her eyes glancing at the menu in front of us. “Are the wings really that good?”

I chuckle. “They’re decent. The burgers are better.”

The conversation flows easily—light banter, quick laughs—and for the first time in a while, I feel myself relax. Cecilia’s leaning into me, her shoulder brushing mine, and there’s this comfortable rhythm between us tonight. After everything we’ve been through, this feels like a break. Like a moment to just be us, no expectations, no drama. I needed that.

Adriana catches my eye from across the table, raising an eyebrow as if she’s reading my mind. She knows. She knows I’m enjoying this rare bit of peace. She flashes a smile, almost like she’s telling me it’s okay to let go for a bit. I forgot that about her. How well she could always read all of us.

Kenji keeps the jokes coming, pulling laughter from all of us. Turns out the guy’s got more than just puck skills; he’s got a great sense of humor too. Even I’m starting to warm up to the guy. I mean, he’s not one of my boys, but he’s not terrible to be around.

“Alright, wing challenge,” Kenji announces, leaning forward with a grin. “Let’s see who can handle the heat.”

I snort. “Man, don’t even. You’ll be the first to tap out.” He does realize I’m Mexican, right? There’s no way some Japanese kid is going to handle heat better than I do. No offense.

Kenji raises his hands in mock defense. “Hey, if you’re afraid, it’s all good. I don’t wanna embarrass you in front of your girl.”

Challenge accepted. “You’re on.”

The lightheartedness is contagious. The energy at the table is good, and I catch Cecilia’s smile, her eyes glowing as she leans into me. This is what it should feel like. Easy. No heaviness pressing down on my chest, no drama hanging over my head.

But then, my phone buzzes again. This time, the vibration cuts through the haze of beer and laughter. Julio. Again. The guy just won’t let it go.

Cecilia glances at me, her eyes straying to my phone. “Everything okay?”

I nod, reluctantly pulling my phone from my pocket. “Yeah, all good.” I discreetly skim my messages.

Julio: So, what’s up with this Kenji dude?

Julio: Is Adriana into him? Like, for real?

He’s not even trying to pretend at this point. My boy’s got it bad.

Julio: You’d tell me if she was, right?

Julio: I mean, I’m not saying I care, but ... don’t you think it’s weird she said yes to going out with some random guy? Doesn’t she realize how dangerous that is?

Julio: You should tell her how dangerous it is. She can’t just agree to meet up with complete strangers.

Julio: Hey! Cabrón. Answer me.

He needs to take a serious chill pill. I’m betting he’s pacing the house right now, probably trying to decide whether or not to crash our date. Fucking hell.

Me: Chill the fuck out. It’s not dangerous. I’m here. Now go do something because I’m turning my phone off.

I drop the phone face down on the table, out of sight, out of mind.

“All good?” Cecilia’s eyes are soft, concerned, but I wave it off.

“Yeah, just Julio being ... Julio.” I shrug. “He’ll get over it.”

Cecilia’s fingers tighten on my leg, her smile reassuring. I lean in and capture her lips in a quick kiss. “I like this,” I tell her.

“Double dates?” she teases.

I shrug. “Just … being with you.”

She opens her mouth to reply but before she does, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. A guy stands at the edge of our table, his presence casting a shadow over our group.

“Gabriel?”

Hearing my name drags my attention from Cecilia, and when I glance up, the easy vibe of the night shatters. I recognize who he is right away. Adam. As in, my brand-new stepbrother, Adam.

“Hey man,” Kenji greets the newcomer with a smile. “What are you doing here?”

Adam hesitates, his eyes flicking back over to me. “Uhh?—”

“You two know each other?” I ask.

“Of course,” Kenji says. “Mouse is our goalie. He plays for PacNorth, too.”

“Mouse?”

Kenji’s smile widens, and Adam’s face turns beet red.

“Yeah, it’s his name on the ice. Adam here is quiet like a mouse. You never know where he’s at until he’s all but on top of you.” Kenji chuckles, clearly not sensing the new tension in the room. “How do you two know each other?”

I give Adam a pointed look, and when it’s obvious he’s not going to answer his teammate, I do it for him. “We don’t,” I tell him.

Adam shifts his weight, glancing at Cecilia before meeting my eyes again. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your evening. We haven’t really talked since … well, the wedding.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I was sort of hoping we could clear the air.”

Right. The wedding. The shitshow where I realized my Mom found replacements for the entire lot of us.

This guy wants to clear the air? Tough. There’s nothing to say.

I feel Cecilia shift beside me, her hand tensing on my knee. She’s waiting to see how I’ll react, so for her sake, I grit my teeth and force myself to lean back in my seat. “Nothing to clear,” I tell him.

Adam’s mouth tightens, his voice a little softer now, like he’s walking on glass. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. About all of it. I didn’t mean to cause any problems for you.”

I grind my teeth together. I can’t deal with this. He’s standing there looking like a kicked puppy, and all I can think about is how my mom’s got this shiny new family. I don’t need another brother. I had one. He’s dead. And Adam? He’s just a reminder of everything I don’t have. A reminder I definitely do not need.

“It’s fine,” I say, even though it’s not. My voice comes out colder than I mean it to, but I don’t care. “Don’t worry about it.”

Adam doesn’t move. His eyes flick to Kenji like he’s waiting for a lifeline.

Kenji notices. He leans back, tossing his arm over the back of his chair like he owns the place. “Terrific! So everyone is good now.” He gives Adam a smile, then looks at me. “Adam and I know each other from middle school. We’ve played hockey together for what?” He pretends to count in his head. “Seven years now. The kid’s solid.” I catch what he’s not saying out loud. He and Adam are friends. Close enough that he’s got his back should I decide to start anything. Not that I planned to. But I hear his message loud and clear and dip my chin to acknowledge it.

“I’m sure he is,” I tell him. “But like I said, we don’t really know one another.” Nothing to see here. Can we please move this shit along?

Adam clears his throat again, looking back at me. “I just wanted to clear the air. I heard what you said at the wedding and … I’m not trying to replace anyone. I just … I wanted to apologize and let you know that uh, I’m here. If you ever want to hang out or … you know. Whatever. I’m around.”

And there it is. That offer. It’s almost laughable. I tighten my grip around the beer in my hand and force my features into an expressionless mask.

“My brother died,” I tell him, raising the bottle to my lips. “Unlike my mother, I’m not looking for any replacements.”

The words hang between us, cold and final. Adam’s face falls a little. He doesn’t push it, though. Doesn’t try to argue or make excuses. He just nods, taking the hit, like he was expecting this all along.

“Alright. Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be around.”

Kenji’s eyes flick between us, but he’s smart enough not to say anything. He gives Adam a quick nod. “We’ll catch up later, yeah?”

Adam manages a weak smile and walks away. I watch him go, his shoulders tight, like he’s carrying around a weight I didn’t ask him to. The bar feels ten degrees hotter now, the noise from the crowd turning into a low hum of irritation in my skull. I can feel Cecilia watching me, but I can’t look at her right now. I can’t look at anything but the door and Adam’s back as he slowly walks away.

“You okay?” Cecilia’s hand is still on my knee, but her grip is different now—tighter, worried.

I take a long sip of my drink, letting the burn settle in my chest. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

Lie.

The rest of the night goes by in a blur. Adriana and Kenji hit it off and Cecilia joins in their conversation. We order a round of burgers and wings, and Kenji and I both have a few more beers. I keep waiting for the tight feeling in my chest to lessen, but despite the hour that passes, it never really does.

“You okay?” Cecilia asks after Kenji gets up to use the bathroom.

“All good,” I tell her with a grin.

“Don’t do that,” Adriana interjects. “She doesn’t deserve your lies.”

My mouth tightens. “Now isn’t really the?—”

“Yes, it is,” she interrupts me again. “Whatever it is about him, that kid got in your head. You’ve given tonight a solid effort. Kudos. I’m proud of you. But get your head out of your ass. Go home and talk about your feelings with your girl. I’ll tell Kenji you guys decided to call it a night while you go get your head on straight.”

My knee-jerk reaction is to snap at her, but as her words settle over me, it dawns on me that she’s actually doing me a favor. Pulling my wallet out, I toss a few bills on the table to cover mine and Cecilia’s tab and then I tug my girl to her feet.

“Thank you,” I say to Adriana.

She gives me a two-fingered salute. “It’s what I’m here for,” she says. To Cecilia she adds, “Make him talk to you. Don’t let him bury all this shit down. Okay?”

“I won’t.”

With that, we make our way outside. Cecilia slides her arm around my waist, leaning into me as we walk toward her Jeep. “I’m sorry about tonight.”

I press a quick kiss to her temple, trying to push the guilt down. “You don’t have anything to be sorry about,” I tell her. “I had a good time.” But as the cold air bites at my skin, I know I’m lying. Because tonight stirred up shit I’ve been trying to avoid, and now I have no idea how to deal with it.