Page 26 of Back to You

“I guess when you get to that age you’re all out of fucks to give.”

“They sure are. Let’s see, Samuel had his taekwondo demonstration the other day, he did really well. He said to tell you hi and he loves you.”

Ethan’s smile faded slightly. “Tell him I love him too, and I promise I’ll see him soon.”

Brandon hummed, knowing he wouldn’t tell Samuel that second part. It wasn’t a promise Ethan could keep. “Oh, Riley drew you a picture, it’s on the fridge.”

“I saw that! She’s getting really good.”

“Yeah, her teacher recommended Michelle get her private lessons. Said she could go pretty far if she wants to.”

“I love how much you’re there for Michelle and the kids.”

“Well, I promised Steven I’d take care of them when he’s gone. Not that they need taking care of. Don’t tell Michelle that, or she’ll skin me.”

“She would absolutely skin you. But she’d feel bad about it later, I think.”

Brandon smiled. “What do you want to do tonight? I’ve just been reading, but we could watch something or play a game, if you’d rather?” He was so thrilled to have free time with Ethan that he’d happily do whatever he wanted.

“You know what I’ve been fantasizing about lately? Curling up in bed with you and checking out the latest book in that sci-fi series I’ve been reading. It came out two weeks ago and I haven’t had time to get to it.”

“Well let’s make that happen,” Brandon said. And the two headed off to their bedroom hand in hand, happy to have a lazy evening together.

***

Michelle and Brandon’s parents lived in a lovely ranch-style home just outside the city. They hosted a regular dinner every weekend for their kids and grandkids, and it was always a highlight of Brandon’s week.

“Mom? Dad?”

“In the kitchen!”

Brandon headed to the back of the house and snuck up behind his mom, grabbing her in a hug. “Hi Mom.”

“Hey my son,” said Adelaide Michener, turning to give her son a proper hug. Everyone knew that his parents — and Ethan, of course — were the only ones Brandon would hug without being his usual prickly self.

“There’s my boy,” said Anthony Michener, coming around the island for his hug. “How’s work?”

“Good. How’s yours?” Anthony was a nurse practitioner at a local doctor’s office.

“Busy, flu season and all that. Did you bring my cookies?”

Brandon laughed. “I see what’s what, I’m just your cookie dealer.” He passed the bag of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies over to his dad, who immediately snuck one out of the bag.

“Anthony, you’ll ruin your dinner,” Adelaide said mildly.

“How’s your work going, Mom?”

“Well enough, well enough. School’s starting back up soon, so just getting my syllabus ready and all that.” Adelaide was a history professor at the local college.

“Where is Ethan? Don’t tell me he’s at work again,” Anthony said, stashing his cookie bag in a cabinet where grandchildren couldn’t reach it.

“Oh yeah, of course he’s at work. Where else would he be these days?” Brandon smiled to bely his harsh words.

“That boy,” Adelaide muttered. “He’s going to kill himself at this rate. It’s not healthy to work so much.”

“I know. Hell, he knows, he’s just doing it anyway. He promises he’ll cut back once he gets promoted.”

“Do you think he will?”

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