“What the hell, Bryson? We are going after Rolland now?” Kaydon hissed in his ear as they walked down the hall.
“I didn’t think you of all people would have a problem with it,” Bryson said.
“Of course, I want to kill him. But we have more than ourselves to think about,” Kaydon said.
And Bryson rounded on him. “You don’t think I know that. I care about Dri too. But when her mom is calling me out like that, what do you expect me to do?”
Kaydon took in a breath.
Bryson glanced over his shoulder, ensuring they were alone, and continued, “I need to do something, Kay. The running is killing me. It’s not who I am. If there’s a problem, I fix it.”
Kaydon considered his words. “If we tell Adria, she is going to insist she come with us.”
Bryson continued walking. “That’s why we aren’t going to tell her.”
Kaydon fell into step behind him. “I don’t like it, but I don’t like her coming with us more.”
As they crossed the grounds to their faux home, Bryson said, “So you’re with me on this?”
Kaydon nodded. “Always.”
Bryson felt Kaydon’s arm wrap around him, pulling him into a hug.
“Seems like Seth and Adria are having some fun somewhere. Wanna have some of our own?” Kaydon said.
Kaydon nuzzled in close. Bryson could tell he wanted to kiss him, but as he leaned in, Bryson turned at the last second.
His skin crawled.
He didn’t want to be touched.
Twisting out of Kaydon’s grip, he joked, “Rolland’s a tricky fucker, we’re gonna need some rest before trying to turn him off.”
Kaydon tilted his head, and Bryson felt himself closing down.
Not wanting to lie to Kaydon, Bryson whispered, “I’m just having a hard time right now.”
Kaydon nodded. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
“Wanna go for a walk instead?” Bryson asked.
“Fuck yeah.” Kaydon grinned.
The sun dipped below the tree lines, transforming the jungle paths from welcoming corridors to shadowed tunnels, but Bryson enjoyed the darkness. The evening’s coolness washed away the day’s stifling heat, clearing his mind.
Kaydon matched his stride in comfortable silence, and Bryson absentmindedly twisted the ring on his finger.
“Sophia is a piece of work,” Kaydon said.
Bryson pivoted, walking backwards to face him. “Right? I thought I was the only one who saw through her bullshit.”
Kaydon shrugged. “Sometimes we aren’t ready to see our parents’ flaws.”
Bryson stumbled. “We aren’t talking about Sophia anymore, are we?”
“Nope.”
Turning forward again, Bryson sighed. “If Adria gets to put it on hold, so do I.”
