“Don’t you worry about my sex life. I do just fine. You worry about yourself,” I say.
“Please never say ‘sex life’ to me again.”
I laugh, tempted to point out that he started it. “I’m leaving here soon. I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
There’s a slight pause before Lincoln lets out a breath. “Can I sleep here tonight?”
The toy in my hand snaps in half. “Anytime. Always.”
“And if he calls?” Lincoln adds hesitantly.
“I haven’t spoken directly to him since the day I moved out.” Lincoln starts to talk, and I cut him off. “And if he does, I won’t tell him a fucking thing.”
The ever-looming tension with my father causes my jaw to clench tight. Until Lincoln is able to live with me legally, we will never be free of him.
“Thanks,” he mumbles.
I make a sound that says something along the lines of, “Don’t even worry about it. You mean more to me than that douchecanoe ever will.”
What I say is, “I’m just going to check on one last thing and then I’m heading out. If you’re still awake when I get home, I’ll tuck you in with your teddy and read you a story.”
I can practically hear him roll his eyes and it make me grin.
“Only if you do the voices,” he says.
“Deal.” I laugh. Lincoln can always give as good as he gets.
“There’s leftovers in the fridge if you’re hungry,” he says.
The words cause a fresh wave of guilt. I should be taking care of him. I should be the person cooking him meals, and yet here I am at work while he’s alone at my house.
“Thanks,” I say, my throat tight with emotion. “I’ll see you soon.”
We disconnect without another word.
After I go back to the lab and check that the initial tests are set to run for the night, I come back to my office and pack up my bag. I rub at eyes so dry I can hardly focus. One day at a time. This will all be worth it. I just need to deliver this contract to the customer and then I can slow down. My team can be with their families, and I can be a better brother to Lincoln.
I close and lock my office door, thinking how in just a few short hours I’ll be back here to start it all over again. I wonder again if I blew it with Julia. Hopefully the team made up for my awkwardness. When I realize I’m just standing outside my door in the dark hallway thinking of her like a weirdo, I shake my head and head out to my car.
“My laser,” I say out loud, and a smile spreads on my face.
