Birthday Flowers | The Kissing Booth

18. Brothers

Previously: Lee showed up. Because of course he did.

(Noah)

Lee is still dead to the world when I head out Monday morning, so I don't speak to him again until that evening after practice. He's made himself at home on my couch, his laptop open in front of him and papers surrounding him. I recall that his master's thesis is due soon and I'd feel guilty about disrupting his work if I'd had any input on his decision to fly out here.

"If you'd told me you were coming out here, I could have told you not to bother showing up before tonight, and spared you that nap outside my door."

"And where would the fun in that have been? Plus, apparently people appearing out of the blue is the only way you and Elle ever make progress."

I roll my eyes at Lee. "So. You're here. Why?"

"You really need to ask? You, Elle, a surprise bundle of joy to finally merge the Evans and Flynn clans?

"I'm aware. No thanks to you. But given your long-standing policy of claiming you want to stay out of it while also guarding Elle's secrets, I have to wonder why you're here."

"You two have never actually let me stay out of it." I hike my eyebrows at this. "Fine. Elle has never really let me stay out of it. Plus, circumstances have changed. I have a new policy."

"Which is?"

"Someone's got to look out for that kid's best interests while you guys figure your shit out. I'm not getting in between the two of you when it comes to your relationship, but I'm going to be Team Dino. Because that's my niece or nephew and you guys can be idiots sometimes."

Great. Because we definitely need a third person involved. Especially this third person. "You know Dino is off the table for the real name, right?"

"We'll see about that. I'd also settle for Lee. Which I should note would work either way, boy or girl."

"Never happening. And have you shared this new policy with Elle?"

"Not yet. But I don't need her permission, or yours. Uncle Lee is a free agent."

"You've got to stop calling yourself 'Uncle Lee.' It might be the most disturbing part of all this."

"Yes, well, you've only got yourself to blame for giving me that title. By the way, the next time you're searching my room for condoms? The camera case on my desk."

Information that would have been useful five months ago, Lee. And of course he's heard that detail of the story, because Elle has no filter. Except apparently when it came to telling me about this turn of events. But I keep all that to myself and merely glare at Lee.

"Oh, come on. It's a little funny, right? Or are we not yet at the laughing about it phase?"

"So you flew out here just to harass me?"

"Nah. I flew out here because we need to talk and you're really good at dodging me. I figured I'd be harder to ignore in person."

I have to smile at that one. I toss Lee the stack of delivery menus. "Make yourself useful and order us dinner while I go shower."

"Oh, I don't get the home-cooked meal treatment? Elle told me you cook now. Or is that only when you're trying to get into girls' pants?"

I flip Lee the bird on my way to my room.

~~~~

I manage to keep Lee on other topics while we eat, but soon enough he leans back in his chair and stares intently at me.