Page 54 of The Evening Wolves

“Colt.”

“Please, it’s going to be epic. And everybody from GLAM is going, and Ash’s parents said he can go if I can go, and it would be so fucking fire if you said yes.”

“Language.”

“Please?”

Emery hesitated.

“Please, please, please?”

“Maybe it would be a good idea for you to get away for a few days.”

“Oh my God, yes. Thank you.”

“I didn’t say you could go; I have to talk to John about it.”

“Pops, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Colt scrambled upright and launched a hug at Emery. Laughing, Emery patted his back. “I didn’t say yes, Colt. Slow your roll.”

Pulling back, Colt made a face.

“Auggie taught me that.”

“Don’t ever say that again.”

“Honestly, Colt.”

“I’m serious. That was the grossest thing of my entire life. Um, Pops?”

“This sounds like you’re about to ask for something that you know I’ll say no to.”

“No, like—I know I shouldn’t have, uh, whatever today.”

“That’s an extremely vague account of what you shouldn’t have done.”

“Gotten into trouble.”

“Much better.”

Colt flashed that crooked grin. “But, like, can I still go to GLAM this afternoon?”

“I don’t know—”

“Pops, please. I promised I would, and they’re counting on me. They’ve got this huge truck to load with all the donations for the service project, and Koby says Ash and I do twice as much work as anybody else, and if they don’t get it all loaded tonight, they’re not going to be able to leave on time, and you always say you can’t let other people affect your decisions—”

“Jesus Christ, are you quoting me to myself?”

Head lolling, smile broadening, Colt said, “Language.”

Emery gave him a pat on the cheek and said, “If Dr. Leon says your hand is ok.”

“He will. It’s fine; it doesn’t even hurt anymore.”

“I want you to ice it. I want you to take ibuprofen.”

“I will.”

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