Page 103 of Necessary Time

Wesley smiled up at me. “I love you for that.”

“Just common decency,” I said, taking his hand and pulling him toward Grayson’s play room. “By the way, have you been in here before?”

Wesley shook his head. “I assumed it was like a hook-up room or something.”

“That feels close, but not the whole truth.” I grabbed the knob. “I don’t want you to be caught off-guard is all.”

“I’m not a kid, old man. I can handle it.”

“Old man,” I grumbled, throwing open the door.

The purple light washed over his face and I closed the door behind us. It didn’t look like Hendrix had moved, still facing the window with his arms crossed protectively over his chest.

“Hey, Henny,” Wesley said, voice weak.

Hendrix turned, every crease and sharp line of his face softening at the sight of his brother. I chewed the inside of my cheek and hung back, wanting to stay without intruding on the conversation the two of them needed to have. I knew Wesley would want me to stay anyway, and I didn’t imagine Hendrix would object.

“So… you and Colin?”

“Yeah.” He glanced at me over his shoulder. “Me and Colin.”

“What happened with David?”

“Everything is fine with him now,” Wesley said with a shrug. “Water under the bridge, I guess.”

“Not a wasted plane ticket then?”

Wesley shook his head and laughed. “No. Not wasted.”

“And Colin?” Hendrix let his arms unfold, tucking his hands into his pockets and keeping his back to the window.

“Don’t worry, Henny. I’ll take good care of him.”

Hendrix laughed, shaking his head and huffing a breath that puffed his cheeks.

Wesley reached his hand behind him, clapping his fingers, and I went to him and took his hand. He raised mine to his mouth and brushed a kiss across the top of my knuckles. Hendrix’s stare flickered toward it, but quickly moved away.

I exhaled.

“I’m sorry, Wes.”

He squeezed my hand. “What for?”

“For…” Hendrix looked at me, his jaw working side to side. “I should have been a better brother to you.”

“What?” Wesley scoffed. “You’re the best brother I have.”

I chuckled and, even in the purple light of the room, I saw Hendrix roll his eyes.

“I could have been a better brother,” he said. “Less of a second father.”

“You know I love having a fun uncle.”

“I know,” Hendrix agreed.

“My fun uncle and my best guy.”

“Oh, my God.” I groaned, shaking my head and pulling my hand out of his sweaty grip. “Is this what you’re going to be like when you drink?”