Lock grinned. “You’re welcome.”
“We’ll talk about that soon, just let me finish up with Brooks first. Okay?”
With a dip of his chin, Lock went back to what he was playing with. Flynn looked over at Brooks. “I know it feels stifling sometimes, but it would be that way at a stable house with a stable set of parents. You’re meant to feel restless at your age, or you’d never be motivated to achieve anything great.”
“I hadn't thought of it that way.”
“Just don't let it get to you, okay? Barb and Mitch are trying their best with all of you, and they don't need your attitude.”
With a sullen nod, Brooks stood and crossed to the stove. Tuning them out, Flynn allowed Brooks to have a discussion with Barb without his interference.
“So.” He looked at Lock. “Eighteen soon.”
“Eight days.”
“Christ, I can’t believe it’s that soon. You know you’re gonna end up on my couch, right?”
“Can’t wait.” Lock grimaced. “Seriously, though, I’ll save what the state gives me and apartment hunt immediately.”
“No harm in looking now,” Flynn said casually. “Not that I don't want you there, but you have higher goals than couch surfing.”
“Yeah.” Namely, finding a place he could bring his brother to.
“Is Fischer hanging out upstairs?”
“No,” Barb answered Flynn. “He went shopping for school clothes with the Wilsons.”
“Shi—urely,” he corrected at the last second. “That’s too soon?”
She shook her head. “No, they’ve been approved to take him in. The adoption paperwork won’t be final yet, but they’ll take over his fostering until then.”
Well, fuck. His stomach twisted at the thought of his kid brother moving farther away. “They’re good people, aren’t they, Barb?”Please tell me they’re good people.
“Seem to be. They’re active in their church, for what that’s worth, and they’ve always wanted a child. Something about having tried for years to conceive, but it just wasn’t happening. They aren't against adopting an older child, which you and I know is pretty rare.”
It was true, most families overlooked elementary and middle school children as not needy or not being their own children if they couldn't raise them from birth.
“Will you keep me up to date? I’ll only worry about him.”
“Sure. I hear they’re buying him a phone, too.”
“Good.” It was a weird rule, in his mind, to not let a twelve-year-old have one. At least to keep at home or use in emergencies. Then again; not his kid, not his business. It was a hard line to follow sometimes.
“Anyway, are you staying for dinner?”
Was he? Thinking about his options, Flynn realized he wanted to spend time with Bristowe. “Uh, no, but thanks.”
“Got a hot date?” Lock teased.
“What if I do?”
Dropping the game on the table with a clatter, Lock sat back. “Wait, I was only joking. You have a girlfriend?”
Christ on a cracker, were they boyfriend/girlfriend? Hell, they’d only fucked once and eaten dinner at her house. That didn't make it official.
“Nosy jerk.” Flynn stood, eager to leave before he suffocated on the incoming questions.
Barb raised an eyebrow at him. “Have fun and be safe.”
