Sunlight steadily brightened through the dusty windows, reminding us we should have gotten up an hour ago when the alarm went off. I snuggled closer to Ryan and kissed his cheek.

“You were so mean to Kevin and Jason last night,” I said as I traced figure eights on his chest. “They really look up to you.”

He laughed as he stroked my arm. “Belittling them is one of my only pleasures!”

I pulled on a tuft of hair and he tapped my backside in retaliation. “Seriously, though. You know they only brag because they want to hear you’re proud of them. It’s been hard on them since your dad died.”

He sighed and I could feel him start to pull away. I wrapped my arm around his waist and held him tight. He never liked talking about this.

“I know it’s been hard on them. It’s been hard on me, too.” His hand absently resumed its caresses. “And I know you don’t get this, but growing up was different for us. My dad wasn’t really big on saying ‘I love you’. My brothers know I love them.”