Dad stood and pulled me into a hug that lasted a long time. “We’ll visit again when you get settled in.”
We.Hmm.
I nodded, fighting back rogue tears. “I, uh. I look forward to it.”
CHAPTER 6
sawyer
“So… how are things going with Hen?” DB asked as we wrapped up our weekly video check-in.
Hen was in the living room, swathed in black loungewear, bopping to something on his headphones, while I sat in a suit and tie at the compact dining table. I ran my hands over my face, cursing under my breath.
“That good, huh?” DB asked, letting out a deep chuckle.
“Yeah,” I admitted, knowing better than to try and lie to a guy who discovered the truth for a living. “I swear that man is gonna drive me to drink. It’s like he forgets that he collapsed just a few weeks ago.”
“Have you been stuck in that cabin with him the whole time?”
“Basically.”
DB widened his eyes at me.
“What?”
Lifting a hand, he answered, “I’m just wondering if he’s not the only one who needs to be reminded of his limits.”
I adjusted my earbuds, not liking where this was going. “What do you mean?”
“You haven’t left his side in three weeks, Sawyer. No one would blame you for needing some time away from him. Maybe go visit a friend. Doesn’t what’s-his-name—Major—live in Seguin? Have you gone to see him?”
“He’s swung by to see Hen a couple of times. All of our friends have.”
DB tapped the camera as if he’d like to do the same to my forehead. “And how is that anything like getting out and giving yourself a reprieve? I already said you could take off from work or shift your deadlines, yet you’ve made not one single adjustment to your calendar.”
“I don’t want to get behind.”
DB’sget realglare packed a punch.
I checked to see that Hen still had his headphones on, then let out a long breath. “Fine. I guess I could give Major a call.”
“Excellent. And how are things with your mom?”
“Good. The doctor realized she’d been having palpitations during her cardio classes and asked her to take it down a notch.”
DB laughed. “In a shocking turn of events, the entire Finch family is too intense for their own good.”
“Pot, the kettle is calling.”
“I’d lie and say that wasn’t true, but Odd just walked in.”
His husband dipped into view and waved. “Hey, Sawyer. Don’t let this one give you any shit about anything. He put up witha fucked-up artificial knee for years because he didn’t consider pain a good enough excuse to get it fixed.”
DB snarled. “That’s not true.”
Oof. Odd’sget reallook was even worse than DB’s. Before I could come up with a good retort, my lap was filled with tiny punk god. Hendrix pushed his headphones down to his neck and pilfered one of my earbuds. Inserting it, he leaned in toward the camera. “Is this the legendary DeShaun Blaylock, man in charge of all of my digital safety?”
Hen had taken to draping himself over me at inconvenient times, and DB’s amused look only further irritated me. “Hen, get off.” I pushed at him.
