Page 42 of Waiting Game

It really is too—he doesn’t hang around, climbs the few steps on the front stoop, and walks into the house.

A smile dances on Mum’s lips. “He’s still the same as ever.”

I nod but holler, “Geek!”

Colt slaps the back of my head. “Leave him alone.”

“He loves me for it. I’m the only one who doesn’t baby him.”

Mum tuts. “Tough love. Is that what you call it?”

“He needs it,” I insist.

And I’m not lying.

Callan’s so beyond an introvert that he might as well be inside out.

I used to be the buffer between him and Pops, who doesn’t understand why Callan isn’t born from his image like Colt, Cody, and I were. If anything, he truly does take after Mum appearance-wise, and that’s what Pops can’t stand.

Mum’s the one who got away.

At least, she’s the one who divorced Pops despite him being the big-I-am. And that’s something he’s never gotten over.

Mum sighs at me. “Callan isn’t going to be like any of you, Cole. You need to accept him for who he is.”

“I do accept him. All of him. But if I don’t get him to toughen up, then no one will, and I’ve been protecting him from Pops since the day he was born.”

Having argued about this with me in the past, Colt grunts. “Until you left.”

“I didn’tleave.” I had an opportunity.

Colt hoots. “Remind me to buy a dictionary for you this Christmas. Anyway, you ready to see His Majesty?”

“Ah, jeez. I thought he’d be in the hospital.”

“We brought him home.”

“Why? Is he dying?”

Mum clicks her tongue. “Don’t sound so hopeful, son.”

“I’m not hopeful. He’s…” I don’t even bother finishing that sentence, not with two of the five people who know him best in the world. Both of them nod at me in silent understanding. “Anyway, might as well drag the Band-Aid off.” A thought occurs to me. “Did you go see him?”

“I’m not here for him. I’m here for my boys.”

I smile at her. “Speaking on behalf of your boys, we appreciate it.”

She squeezes my waist. “Go and do your duty, then come and sit with me. I’ll order tea.”

Because she’s five-feet-nothing, I lean down and press a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s great to see you, Mum.”

Another squeeze. “Go on. Get.”

Colt dips his chin at her like some kind of robot as he falls into step beside me.

I wasn’t lying when I told Mia he’s stoic.

“You okay?” I ask as he leads me into the house and takes me down what has always been my parents’ wing.

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