Not usual family game night

Finally a night off after a month. A month of crazy non-stop work. But what did I expect when I joined this Special Investigation Agency? Definitely not a failure. We, me and my three guy team members, followed a pile of bodies and leads through states, heard numerous people and what for? The villain managed to flee just under our noses. Moving us right to the beginning. Add pent up frustration and huge differences between guys and disaster were around the corner. I was glad we managed to survive this past month. We had huge talking problems, guys were in each other throats even for the smallest things. We needed a break from each other.

I was so happy to finally have a night off. But solving our differences came first. So here we were. In my apartment. Ready to have a family game night, the first one ever. It was strange to call the guys a family but we were just that, even when not blood related, our bonds were just as strong. So tonight's goal? Ease tension down and show them we can cooperate without fighting.

“Xander leave some food for others!” Said Hunter, who was sprawled on a sofa, his huge frame barely fitting in, sipping his beer with his legs propped on armrests and flipping through his phone. Xander looked up from the fridge his hand running through his blond mane while stuffing his mouth full of pizza. He frowned but obeyed. How come he listen to him? He never did listen to me, none of them did.

“You have to tell him in dead-serious tone. Only then he will obey.” Hunter said his light brown eyes meeting mine blue ones. Did I say it aloud?

“Do not order me around. I am not a child.” Xander plopped on the armchair, stuffing another piece of pizza into his mouth.

“But you act like one. Was that the last piece?” Xander chewed the piece as his life depended on it. It was Alar’s favorite one I especially ordered for him together with popcorn for Xander and nachos for Hunter, their most favorite snacks. While I stick to the sandwich and chips.

“Mhm. Alar does not deserve one. I am still pissed at him.” He swallowed nearly choking in the process.

“Real mature.”

“I do not care. I am pissed. The pizza was good. Thank you, Bree.” He rubbed his tummy wiping his hands onto his black shirt which hugged his perfect body showing lines of muscles of his defined pecks and abs. “Is there some Coke? Has to flush down the lump in my throat.” My eyes snapped to his face. He smirked, totally caught me checking him out. Blush formed on my cheeks as I nodded unable to speak up and pointed to the counter. I eyed his firm ass when he walked by, unable to stop ogling. He added a little sway totally knowing I was looking.

“Bree? What happened? Why ate you red? Are you hot?” Oh god. How come Hunter was so observant during work but in private was totally obvious?

“She is hot. FYI.” Xander chirped in from the kitchen grabbing the bottle of Coke. My cheeks flushed even more as I hid my face in my hands.

Hunter looked from me to him and then he looked me up more thoroughly. Then back to him again with a question on his face.

“Oh come on, even you are not that blind.” Xander chugged down half of the bottle.

“I do not know how to respond to that.”

“Say yes, she is hot,” Alar said from the opened doors making the situation even more awkward. I groaned. Okay, kill me now. I wanted to ease the tension not build it up.

“Look who finally came in.” Xander greeted mockingly.

“Behave,” Hunter whispered, his voice deep and hard.

I stood up, my back stiff, feeling their glances on my back as I pulled Monopoly game from the shelf.

“Who wants to prepare the game?” My voice small and quiet as my eyes moved from one to another. Xander took it from me, smirking at my distress. His cheeky smile lighting up his handsome face. That shit! All my discomfort vanished and I smacked his bicep. Curse him to hell.

I walked up to Alar. He took off his leather motorbike jacket. The scent of leather dazzled my senses but there was another scent present, scrunching my nose. He reeked of alcohol. "How many shots did you have?"

“Not enough.” My eyebrow rose. Not a direct answer again. We have to work on that.

“Twelve.” He answered finally his black hair soaking wet from the rain, water dripping to the floor. I just stared. His drinking has become worse in the past couple of weeks.

“I will get you a towel. Coffee and sandwiches are in the kitchen.” He just nodded as I disappeared to grab some clean towel. 

“What is the point of this game, again?” Hunter asked as he eyed the game board and a pile of game money on his side of the coffee table.

I was shocked. "It is the first time you play it?" How come he did not play it before? It was the most common game and I personally loved it. He nodded slightly embarrassed.

Xander sat on the floor across for him leaving the armchair to his left to me. "To win of course," Xander smirked and gave me my share of game money. Alar sat down across from me. “We should figure out some kind of reward. Hm. What about the winner gets a free meal from each looser?” Free food? Only Xander would think about it. He was bottomless hole when it came to food and it newer shoved on his body.

“Oh come on.” Hunter groaned. “Try not to favor yourself?”

“Then figure something yourself.”

“It needs to be something worth playing for.” Hunter thinks aloud.

“Oh, I know.” He smiled cheekily at me. Oh no. Please tell me it won’t be anything related to me. ”Winner gets one favor from Bree.”

“What?” I knew it! That daredevil.

“That could be interesting,” Hunter said appreciating this idea.

“What? But what about if I win?” There was nothing for me if I win.

“Easy you will have one favor from each of us.” That shut me up. That I could use.

“Okay. I am in.” I looked up to Alar he was strangely silent. He seemed in pain, his face oddly green highlighting his green eyes, which was a disturbing combination. "Alar? Are you alright?" His eyes cleared as he focused on me.

"Yes. Peachy. I am in." Peachy? Bullshit. I could expect Xander to reply that not him…

"So whats the rules?" Hunter asked scratching his two days black stubble.

Xander opened up his mouth to answer but Alar was first to explain. I left it to him and went for some refreshments.

When I brought beverages and snacks from the kitchen they had it all set up and ready to play.

"Yes, another fee. Pay up pay up." Xander beamed at Hunter who stood at his field again and lost all his remaining money. “I won! I won!” Xander happily danced through the living room, his dance consisting mostly of shaking his ass. I just shook my head chucking, it was hilarious. It was a really great evening. Boys behaved, to my surprise. This evening was proof we can stand each other and behave without fights. And I was happy about it.

"How come you won with this crazy strategy?" Alaric asked. He was quiet through the game, lost in his thoughts. He bankrupted early in the game unable to focus. I followed not long after him even with my previous experiences. So I was in charge of snacks and made popcorn. Hunter, on the other hand, played well, too well for first-time players.

"If you paid more attention to the game you would know." He jabbed him. His strategy was something I did not see yet. He was nearly bankrupt but then he managed to buy nearly all properties. I am still amazed at how he could pull it off.

"I am now and still can not believe it." Alar's eyes narrowed. Did he imply Xander cheated?

"Really? And who has been distracted by secrets he does not want to share?" My eyes narrowed. So here goes a calm and nice evening. It seemed the time is up already.

"Stop it, Xander." Hunter interfered trying to calm the situation so I don’t have to while packing the game back to the box.

"I can not believe that you are protecting him. Not after how he treated Bree." Xander said his anger rising. No. No-no-no. Gone was the calm and peaceful mood. Why did we come back to that incident? I talked it off with Alar and yes I did not like his texts and him pushing me away but going back to it? Not good.

Alar stood up his face reddened. "I apologized already. And for your information she accepted.”

“Yeah? Do you think we are done? Just like that? By mere apology? Do you know what damage you have done?!” Xander stood up too. They faced off each other towering above us, their chest nearly touching. This was bad.

“You fucker.” Alar unable to hold it threw a punch to Xander’s face. He took a step back and caught it easily.

“You can not beat me with fists.” His confidence only sparkled Alar’s anger more.

“I can try.” Alar swiped again only to be stopped again.

And I had enough. “Would you stop already?” I stood up onto the coffee table and then between them but I was too slow to stop Alar’s already flying punch. His fist connected with my eyebrow making my head explode as I hit the ground. Hard. Both of them froze. Note to me: never stand between pissed guys.

“Now you have done it,” Xander exclaimed hands waving furiously, earning a growl from Alar.

“It was not on purpose!” My head throbbed more and more and my vision swayed. I palmed my throbbing forehead carefully. This will be bruised in the morning.

“Bree are you okay?” Hunter asked kneeling beside me and cradling my head so he could take a better look, his eyebrows scrunched into a solid line.

“Really? All you did today was on purpose.” They continued to fight as nothing happened. Dismissing me completely.

“Fuck you, Xander! I would not hurt her!”

“You already did!”

“Enough!” I shouted pain erupting in my forehead dizziness emerging. I have reached my limit. “Stop already!” This game night was a bad idea. How could I think they can cope? That we could function as a team? I sobbed quietly my body in pain. Despair hogging my thoughts. “Please.” I pleaded again between sobs. That got their attention. They froze and stared at me by their feet.

“What is your problem, Xander?” Hunter asked his voice deadly. As he handled me pack of frozen berries I kept in the fridge for an emergency. I put them on my face cold helping with pain immediately. “And your Alar?” They both were quiet, not responding making my anger rose with each second.

“I am sorry.” Squeaked Xander his face full of regret. A shadow moved through Alar’s face. His expression changed to sobered and I could see sadness and guilt for a second before he hid it beneath his hard expression.

“I have to go.” It was the only thing he said and moved to the door. No, he was going to the bar again to drink.

“No. We will talk.” I stood through pain in my head, grabbed his hand and led him into my bedroom.

“How come he gets to talk in the bedroom?” Xander asked before I closed the door, moping.

“Sit.” I motioned to my bed. He obeyed and sat down, his face unreadable. Hunter was true I just needed a serious tone to make them obey. “Now spill.”

“I am not ready.” It felt like a punch into a gut. My nose drills flared.

“Can you hint me at least? I would like to know what is running through your head the whole evening.” He watched me his face hard and eyes running over my face like he was considering if he can trust me. His distrust hurt me. Especially when he pushed me away just a few hours before. I was new in their team and even though I felt like I belong, he tried to prove me wrong. Texting me words that would push me away and leave him alone. I knew that they were not true but they hurt and brought up my confidence issues. It was cruel.

“Today is my mother’s death anniversary.” He said quietly looking at his hands in his lap. That I did not expect. My anger vanished. That is why he was distant, distracted and easy to lash out.

“Oh god, I am sorry.” I have managed to squeak out through my tight throat. “Is there a way I can help?”

“I do not know. I usually drink myself to sleep in this day.” Oh god, he needed help. Really fast. I moved between his tights and hugged him. Hard. He hugged me back gently. I could not hold much longer as sadness overtook me, tears streaming down my face, weeping for his loss.

“Baby are you crying?” his voice was coarse like he was barely holding on himself. “I am sorry I hurt you.” His voice quiet and small.

“Shh. You are ruing the moment.” I expected him to pull away but he hugged me tighter, not legging go, shaking in my arms giving up his facade. We cried silently for a while. It was the only way I could comfort him right now. Be there for him when he needed me.

“Thank you, baby.” He signed and let go, giving me the clue to doing the same, that he was okay, at least as much okay as he can get. He cradled my face looking at my swollen eye. “I am really sorry about it.” He said and he meant it. He does not like me hurting.

“It was my fault. I should have not come between you two.” I wiped up my wet cheeks and I pulled him onto his feet. He was a head taller than me and swiped me in hug one more time.

“No, I should have not leashed out even on Xander.” I just nodded.

“Let's go then.” He opened up the door for me. The shooting game echoed through the living room as boys played sitting on the floor in front of my television.

“I can not believe you hid this from us,” Xander exclaimed waving my copy of the Halo 4 a huge smile playing on his face. “Forcing us to play monopoly.” He pouted visibly hurt.

“I have never guessed you as a gamer,” Alar asked amused, took spare controller Hunter handled him and moved to sit on the floor.

I just shrugged. “I play with my brother all the time.”

“Brother huh?” Xander teased. Hunter smacked his head. And just like that tension disappeared. If I would know shooter game could ease this situation I would toss the whole Monopoly idea away. Stupid me. Of course, boys liked Xbox games better, anything with huge body count and violence. I chucked and plopped on the sofa still holding a pack of berries to my face. My smile spread as I watch them play. This was peaceful, normal, well as normal as it can get. Finally. I fall asleep somewhere in the middle of their game, vaguely realizing someone covered me with a soft blanket.