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I know. Me 2. But it’s for the best. Aunt and Uncle want me 2 lay low.

Probably a good idea. I’ll still see u tomorrow, right?

Bright & early.

Kk. Gotta go. Dinner. Text you after?

Yes please.

Nick smiled quietly, feeling his face grow hot.

He sent back:

Mashed potatoes. Gravy. Hot, buttery rolls. Pot roast. Not a green vegetable in sight.

Nick was immediately suspicious. “All right. What did you do?”

Dad rolled his eyes, motioning for Nick to sit at the table. “I made dinner.”

“Yeah, except you made all my favorite things. The only time you do that is when you feel guilty about something, or are getting ready to get all up in my business.”

“Can’t I do something nice for my son on the night before he goes back to school?”

Nick narrowed his eyes as he sat. “I’m on to you, old man. I seeeverything.You should—oh mygod.” He shoved more mashed potatoes in his mouth. “Dis us sogooood.”

Dad sighed. “I can see that, even though I don’t want to. Close your mouth while you chew, kid.” He pulled out his own chair across from Nick, grimacing slightly as he sat. His ribs were still hurting him, though he’d stopped taking the pain medication days before. He hadn’t let Nick take his after getting released from the hospital, reminding Nick that the opioid crisis was a very real problem and he’d be damned if he was going to let Nick sink into addiction.

Nick hadn’t argued in the face of that logic, even if it was a bit overblown. And besides, he hadn’t liked being high in the hospital, even though it’d numbed the pain. According to Nurse Becky, he’d spent a good three hours describing to anyone who would listen the shape of Seth’s butt, and why it should be considered a national treasure. It wasn’t one of his finest moments, even if it was the truth.

Dad sliced up a piece of pot roast before sliding it onto Nick’s plate. Nick grinned at him through a mouthful of bread and gravy.

Dad didn’t seem very impressed.

Nick swallowed before asking, “You have to go in tonight?”

Dad shook his head. “No. Tomorrow morning.”

Nick blinked. “What? But you work nights.”

Dad set down his fork, fixing his gaze on Nick. “There’s been a change. I’ll be working days from now on.”

Huh. That was unexpected. “Why?”

“Maybe because I’m tired of spending so much time away from my son. Before long, you’re going to be going off to college, and I want as much time with you as I can get. Cap allowed me to switch to days.”

Nick was absurdly touched. But since his dad wasn’t a fan of too much emotion, he only said, “Oh. That’s good.”

“Yeah,” Dad said gruffly.

Screw it. They’d earned this. “I would like that. A lot.”

Dad smiled quietly. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I mean, it’d be nice, you know? Having you around.”

“I thought so too. And as a bonus, it means that you and your boyfriend won’t have a lot of time to rub against each other before I get home.”

Nick choked on pot roast.