After the grocery shopping, I grab a few smoothies from Boost Juice, and we head home.
Avery’s car is already in the driveway when we arrive. I extended the invite because I wanted a piece of Lake in the house even if only by extension. His parents are… a lot, so I went to the one person I have at least something in common with in the McKenna family.
He’s in the living room, flicking through channels, with Hades next to him. As soon as he sees us, he stands. “Hey, thought you’d never get home.”
“Had to do some shopping.” He follows us into the kitchen, and I put down my bags before letting Hades outside. Riley puts his own bags next to mine and then awkwardly shuffles his feet. “Riley, this is Avery, Lake’s younger brother. Avery, Riley.” I hate introductions.
Avery eyes the kid suspiciously. Hilariously, Riley is already taller than him. And he’s still got growing to go, whereas Avery has reached his peak. “Lake’s taken a huge chance bringing you here, you better not fuck it up.”
“I’m not going to.”
Avery nods. “We’ll see.” He turns his focus on me. “Have you heard from him?”
“I spoke to him yesterday.” If one sentence and a heart from him counts as speaking to him. He’s explained that his regular deployments aren’t like this, that he’d usually be in contact way more often. This one is an aberration in a lot of ways.
“I haven’t heard from Felix. Zach says it’s normal, but…” He trails off with a shrug.
I get it. It’s his first deployment since getting into a relationship with Lake’s two best friends. I’d be twitchy and vibrating out of my skin if I hadn’t heard from Lake at all. However brief, any communication keeps me calm.
“Can I go put this stuff in my room?” Riley asks, standing uncomfortably.
“You don’t have to ask permission to go to your room, unless we’re eating dinner.”
He hesitates and then nods, taking off like he’s being chased.
“Skittish kid.”
“He’s dealt with a lot.” More than I think any of us have. There’s a difference between seeing hard lives through my work andlivingone.
“I bet.” Avery slides onto a stool, watching me as I put away the groceries. “I thought Lake was pulling my leg when he told me about Riley.” He leans forward, elbows on the counter. “He’s always been impulsive, but this is something else. Was this your idea?”
“Not quite.” Riley needs better adult influences in his life, and I was willing and prepared to be that for him, as an anchor when he needs it. Lake is the one who took it the next step, jumping in with both feet and his heart on his sleeve. “I think it was less impulse and more instinct, for Lake.” Something about Riley tugged at Lake’s heartstrings, and I know it isn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing that he’ll regret later. He says he’s all in, and I trust him. We’re in this life together, for all of it.
“He’s always had a bleeding heart.”
I turn from the open fridge door. “I thought that was a weakness not that long ago. That showing too much of oneself is just asking for trouble. But it’s not. It’s a strength. He sees something in Riley, so I’m following his lead.”
Avery smirks, but there’s no hostility in it. “You’re not a terrible brother-in-law.”
I let out a surprised, sharp laugh. “Should I say thanks?”
“Fuck yeah, you should.”
Riley comes back with an armful of clothes—the new ones that we got. “I don’t know where the laundry is.”
“Right next door,” I answer. “On the left before your bedroom. There’s a basket of clothes in the bathroom; can you move them to the laundry? There are labelled baskets for colours, whites, and bedding.”
Riley glances at Avery and then leaves.
“He’ll fit right in,” Avery says with a snort. “What are you cooking for dinner?”
“Weare cooking chicken stir-fry.” I don’t let Lake get away with that; Avery sure as shit won’t either.
“I take back every nice thing I’ve said about you.”
Doubt there are many of those anyway. “I’m heartbroken.”
“Good.”
