Page 79 of Necessary Time

“Not now, no,” he agreed.

I grabbed the doorknob and pulled, face angled away so I could tell Grayson good night, but Wesley shaking out of my grip with a new level of urgency caused the words to come up short in my throat.

“Miles,” Wesley sputtered, moving both of his hands behind his back.

Grayson turned quickly, eyes wide, but he shuttered his expression, stare flickering from me and Wesley before landing on Miles, standing on the door mat.

“Hey, Wes. Is Gray home?” Miles asked, before he said, “Colin.”

“Miles.” I cleared my throat. “Good to see you again.”

“What are you doing here?”

I swallowed, and Grayson came between us, looping one arm over Wesley’s shoulders and the other over mine.

“Didn’t you hear? Our little Wes is growing up. He’s gotten himself a job, all before the ripe age of twenty-one.”

Wesley let out a strained laugh.

“No, I hadn’t heard.”

“I haven’t told Henny yet,” Wesley managed. “I wanted it to be a surprise and I don’t start until Monday.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.” Miles smiled at him, the shape of his mouth holding steady as he turned back toward me.

“What brings you over?” Grayson asked, leaning forward toward Miles, hanging off our shoulders.

I knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to make it look like the three of us had been hanging out together, or were about to, and again I sent up a prayer of thanks that Grayson was so skilled at keeping secrets without telling lies.

“I feel like it’s just been awhile since we’ve hung out,” Miles offered. “Hendrix brought home some work that’s going to keep him busy, so I figured I’d swing by and see if you wanted to go out tonight.”

“Go out?”

“Hendrix will meet us at Rapture later if you want,” Miles said.

“What’s Rapture?” Wesley asked. “Can I go there?”

“No,” Grayson and Miles both answered at the same time.

“Can I go there after my birthday?” he asked.

Miles said yes, but Grayson shook his head. “Not until you get better with your googling.”

Wesley sighed.

“You should go out.” I bumped Grayson in the ribs with my elbow. “I’ll take Wesley to eat. Don’t worry.”

“You sure?”

“Dinner was the plan all along,” I said.

Not a lie.

“Make sure you get him at least two celebratory Shirley Temples,” Grayson said, taking his arms away and trying to shove us out the door past Miles.

“Only two?” Wesley pouted.

“As many as you want,” Grayson said, giving us both a mock salute. “Take care of him tonight. Nothing too crazy.”