Chapter 106
‘So there I was, Brandon leaned forward, voice dropping for dramat effect, “dead last after that nightmare pit stop. My team screaming in my ear about dropping tire pressure, two laps behind with only fifteen to go.”
Lucas’s mouth fell open. “What did you do?”
Brandon’s heart melted at the rapt attention from these kids–Irene’s kids. Their wide eyes fixed on him like he was unveiling the secrets of the universe.
‘I did what any good racer does when the rulebook fails,” he grinned. “I threw it out the window.”
The hospital room felt warmer than it had since Brandon’s accident. Not the rush of adrenaline from racing at breakneck speeds, but something cozier–like that first perfect sip of coffee in the morning hat just hits right.
Henry snorted from his spot by the window. “Threw it out? You practically set it on fire. I thought the team director was going to pass out when you radioed in about ‘Plan X.“”
“What’s Plan X?” Alex scooted closer, nearly vibrating with excitement.
“It wasn’t even real,” Henry laughed. “The entire team was frantically flipping through strategy books while Brandon just… winged
it.”
As Brandon wrapped up his against–all–odds victory tale, the triplets stared at him with pure awe. Lily’s gaze drifted to his bandaged legs, her bottom lip tucking between her teeth.
“Does it hurt?” she asked, her voice tiny. “Can you still drive fast cars after?”
Brandon felt a tug in his chest. It wasn’t just her question – it was the real concern in those big eyes of hers.
“Your mom’s helping me heal,” he replied, surprised by how natural uncle mode” was starting to feel. “So I’m betting on a
comeback.”
He glanced at the clock, suddenly reluctant to let them go. “Hey, it’s almost dinner time. You guys promised to eat with me tonight,
remember?”
“Yes!” Alex and Lucas shouted, pumping their fists.
Lily tugged Joseph’s sleeve. “Can we stay with Second Uncle? Pleeeease?”
Joseph’s face crinkled with delight. “Of course! That’s what family does–spends time together.”
The triplets exchanged their secret spy–movie glances and tiny smiles. Mission accomplished–Mom and Uncle Adam would be all alone at home!
I’ll sort out the food, Henry offered. “What are we thinking?”
“Cheeseburgers!” Lucas yelled, jumping up.
“And ice cream!” Lily added, twirling in excitement.
“Pizza with extra cheese!” Alex chimed in, not about to be outdone.
Brandon’s eyebrows shot up. His racing reflexes kicked in faster than his brain–he was already shaking his head before he’d fully processed why. “Whoa, timeout, guys.”
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The thought of Irene’s face if the found out he’d fed her kids junk food made him break into a cold sweat. She’d probably wheel him straight out the window, hospital bed and all.
The triplets deflated like punctured balloons.
“But I haven’t had a burger in like… a bazillion days, Lucas whined, flopping dramatically onto the chair.
Lily’s shoulders slumped. “Mommy says dinners need to be healthy healthy. She sighed with all the weight of someone who’d never tasted freedom.
Brandon caught himself almost caving at those puppy–dog eyes. Weird–he’d faced down sponsors and team owners without flinching, but these mini–humans had him wrapped around their fingers in under an hour.
“There’s this place with healthy food that actually tastes good,” he offered, feeling strangely parental. “Not kidding–Henry and I have been eating it without complaining once.”
Like someone had flipped a switch, all three perked right up.
“As good as chicken nuggets?” Lucas asked skeptically.
“Trust me, Henry nodded. “Plus, your mom would kill us all if we went off–diet.”
The triplets huddled together for their silent–communication thing. Fine, healthy stuff,” they agreed with matching sighs. For Great–grandfather’s tummy.”
Brandon couldn’t help but stare. Three kids denied their dream menu, and not one tantrum.
“My sister runs a tight ship,” he murmured to Henry. “These kids have better manners than most adults I know.”
Henry nodded. “Dr. Sterling doesn’t mess around when it comes to them.”
“We should tell Mom,” Alex said, always the practical one.
Joseph pulled out his phone. “I’ll call her. You three keep your uncle company.”
He dialed Irene, explaining their dinner plans in quick sentences.
“Got it,” came Irene’s reply. “Need James later?”
“We’ll figure that out as we go,” Joseph told her. “The kids are having a blast.”
Back at Irene’s villa, dinner was just being served when her phone rang. She answered it quickly, exchanged a few words, then set it
down.
“The kids and Grandfather are staying at the hospital for dinner,” she explained, spooning food onto plates. “Brandon’s racing stories
have them hooked.”
“Should I go get them?” Thomas asked.
“No need. James will handle it.” She continued serving without missing a beat.
Thomas froze, fork suspended midair. His brain caught up with what this meant–just the three of them for dinner. Somehow the air felt… different.
His imagination betrayed him with a montage of romantic movie scenes. Adam and Dr. Sterling sitting opposite each other with
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perfect lighting, meaningful glances over wine glasses…
Oh god. He was a third wheel.
This revelation somehow connected directly to his bonus in a way he couldn’t explain but absolutely knew was true. Exit now or kiss
that extra cash goodbye.
His eyes darted between the food (which smelled amazing) and the door (which promised safety). Survival instinct won.
“Just remembered!” Thomas blurted, voice jumping an octave. “Timothy sent urgent stuff about that project! Gotta handle it now!” He backed toward the door like it might vanish. “Start without me- grab something later!”
Adam raised an eyebrow. “Company issue? Need me involved?”
“All handled! Thomas called, practically running. “Tiny problem! You focus on dinner!”
The door clicked shut behind him.
For the first time ever, Thomas had willingly ditched a meal–his favorite part of any day–because every instinct told him this dinner table wasn’t meant for three.
With Thomas gone, the room fell suddenly quiet. Irene and Adam sat facing each other, the air between them shifting into something neither had prepared for.
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