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Chapter 33
Derek sank onto the couch next to a whimpering Dylan. His sister and her husband had just gotten home. Amy had ordered them to wait while the two young parents kissed their insomniac spawn good night.
“I’m never going to be able to lift anything again.” He frowned at his arms. “They’re done.”
“On the bright side, think of all the money you saved by not needing to go to the climbing gym this week.”
Dylan grimaced. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to climb again. Agony.”
“Quit whining.” Derek put his thumb and forefinger around Dylan’s bicep. “Come lift with me. I’ll fix your spaghetti problem.”
“Too mean,” Dylan said through laughter. Dylan was actually really good with teasing unless that teasing made his brain, more specifically his ADHD or anxiety, the butt of the joke. “Even the littlest monster probably weighed, what—thirty pounds? I’m supposed to help with the barbeque setup tomorrow. Can you write me a nurse’s note to get out of it? Just put that I was forced to zoom compact superheroes for two hours, so I have an urgent medical need to stay home, watch TV, and eat medicinal ice cream. If I can even hold an ice cream spoon ever again. Please?”
“Not a chance.”
“I could pretend that my trip to California got moved up.”
“I’m dragging you to that party tomorrow, Dylan Gallagher.”
“So cruel.”
Derek leaned his head on Dylan’s shoulder. “I told you to tell the kids you needed a break. The ‘just one more time’ thing is a complete lie.”
“They are relentless and cute. Well, Lucas is not exactly cute so much as—”
“Precocious.”
“Sure.”
“He’s funny. He was a really intense baby too.”
Dylan leaned on his shoulder. “Did you babysit a lot?”
“Yeah. My sister had him in college, so my mom and I helped out so she could finish her degree. She and Seo-Joon got married in their freshman year. Fell madly in love like my parents did. Didn’t want to wait.”
“That’s sweet.” Dylan linked his hand with Derek’s. “So… your sister’s really religious, right?” Dylan said, scanning the room, seeing a few pieces of mass-produced décor featuring that mix of words he associated with Bible verses.
“She goes to church. Thus why Lucas’s mouth is a pretty big problem.”
“She’s always been cool with you? Like, should I leave?”
Derek shrugged. “She knew you were going to be here. Thanks again for coming. New people are always a hit with the boys in a crisis.”
“All right. Just wanted to make sure.”
They sat in silence for a while, Dylan groaning whenever he moved his arms.
Derek listened up the stairs, hearing that his sister and her husband were still in the rooms with the kids. “It is a little weird with Amy and Mom.”
“Oh?”
“Like they go to a church that wouldn’t be cool with me being in it. They say they don’t agree with everything the church says… but I’ve always thought it’s weird. Michelle agreed with me.”
“I would think it was weird if I were you too.” Fidgeting more than usual, Dylan stood. He crossed the room and looked closer at a photo on the gas fireplace hearth. “Your family?”
“A million years ago.” Derek joined Dylan.
“Amy’s a carbon copy of your mom in this photo. Uncanny.” Dylan studied the picture of Derek hamming it up with the cheesy smile that annoyed his mom and made his dad laugh. “The bow tie and suspenders are pretty cute. I think you look just like your dad.”