Instead of arguing, Wyler headed out. He was going to go camp in the woods and have himself a little adventure.
He had some beers he’d tucked away in the trees for when he needed a drink, so that his babysitters couldn’t be all over his ass.
As the door closed, Callen sighed.
“Rock, paper, scissors?” he asked. “To go check on the fire-breathing half-Native?”
Timothy slapped him on the arm.
“Knock that shit off. Don’t refer to him as half-Native. He’s your brother, and had the cards been dealt differently, it could be you in his situation.”
Callen said nothing.
Why?
The last thing he wanted was his brother having to live through what he’d experienced.
So, he’d stop being a dick about it.
“I’ll check on him after work,” Callen said. “By check, I mean peek into the window, make sure he’s breathing, and hightail it back here. I’m sleeping over, Granddad. Congrats, you have a new roommate.”
That was probably for the best, and Timothy knew it. There was no point risking the outcome.
“That’s fine, Son. You know you’re always welcome here.”
“And I’m bringing a babe home. So when the room is a-rocking, don’t come a-knocking.”
He stared at him.
Why?
He knew Callen, and he wasn’t one hundred percent sure he was joking.
“You’re ridiculous.”
That made Callen laugh.
How could it not?
The look on Timothy’s face was priceless.
Oh, and he’d never do that because of one thing. The mad meddler would pop up from behind the headboard to scare any woman away who wasn’t Native.
Been there.
Done that.
“I try,” he admitted.
Oh, Timothy was aware.
As Callen stood, he was worried about Ethan and couldn’t help it.
“And he’ll be okay, right?” he asked. “I’m really worried about him. Ethan…he’s not one to give up. He looks like he has, Dad. He’s easily angered, but when it comes to not giving up, he’s the strongest person I know.”
Timothy nodded.
“He will be. His lover has to decide what to do now. If he shows up, Ethan will go home, and everything will be okay. If he doesn’t…”
