Page 7 of Ancient Obsession

“You’re really a piece of work.”

Cody smirked. “Thanks.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.”

“No? It sure sounded like one.”

“God, why did I ask you to be my best man?”

“Because our other brothers are jerks.”

“Good point.”

Their conversation shifted easily to other topics as they ate: Dave’s ineffective new team member at work, Cody’s recent dust-up with a family of skunks, and a 4th of July barbecue Demetrius’s Aunt Amelia was planning with her boyfriend Otis.

Once they’d finished eating, Cody left a generous tip on the table. But before they could leave, Margie stopped them and gave them each a strong hug, standing on her tip toes to reach them as they bent at the waist.

“You boys take care now.” Margie took Cody’s hand and leaned in close. “Anything hinky going on around town I should know about?”

“Nothing we’re aware of,” Cody replied. “If that changes, I’ll keep you posted.”

Margie gave a decisive nod before releasing Cody’s hand and turning to greet some new arrivals.

Once outside, they walked along the sidewalk to where Cody had parked his truck beside Dave’s Accord. To Dave’s surprise, Cody pulled him in for a strong hug. It was awkward at first because Cody was a couple of inches taller, but Dave relaxed into it and held him tight.

“I love you, little brother,” Cody said. “I didn’t mean to piss you off.”

“You didn’t.” Dave gave him a final squeeze before stepping back. “At least not yet.”

“Nice.” Cody stared off down the street a moment before meeting Dave’s eyes again. “I was thinking it would be nice to have one last party night with my little brother, that’s all.”

“Have we ever had a party night together?”

“I don’t know…probably not. Stop calling me out on shit, who are you, Roman?”

“Ouch, that one stung.” But Dave couldn’t help grinning.

Cody shoved his hands in his pockets and made a face. “Yeah, okay, sorry. That was low.” He scuffed the toe of a work boot against the sidewalk, so much like the boy he’d grown up admiring, it made Dave’s heart ache a bit. Silver now threaded Cody’s shaggy dark hair, and a few of the whiskers in his scruffy beard had turned as well. So much time had flown past them.

“Hey, big brother.” Dave put a hand on Cody’s shoulder. “I understand what you were trying to do, really. And I appreciate it. But I’d like for Oliver to be part of my celebration, okay? I’ve had my fun as a single man. I want to have fun with everyone I love, and that includes Oliver.” He gave Cody a gentle punch to the shoulder. “And you and I will just need to make more of an effort to get together, just us, going forward. Sound good?”

Cody grinned. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

With another brief hug, they got into their separate vehicles and left the downtown business area.

Dave drove through the neighborhood where he and Cody had grown up. He slowed when he passed their old family home, smiling at the flood of memories. Five boys and two adults in that house with one bathroom. How had their parents done it? How had any of them survived?

Once back in the apartment he shared with Oliver, Dave logged into his work computer. He lost himself in the minutiae of data tracking and algorithms. Questions from team members popped up in chats, and he responded quickly. He’d gotten so caught up in all of it, he started slightly when Oliver called his name down the hall.

“Hey, you’re home,” Dave replied. “Give me two minutes.”

After finishing up what he’d been working on and making sure a couple of files had been saved, Dave headed down the short hallway to the living room. Oliver lay on the couch, head propped on a pillow as he scrolled on his phone. He’d kicked off his shoes at the door and one sock had pulled slightly off his foot. His comfortably faded jeans fit him well, and his t-shirt had rucked up a bit, exposing the red-gold hair across his belly. The late afternoon sunlight streaming in the window shone off the lenses of his glasses.

“How was it?” Dave lifted Oliver’s legs so he could sit on the couch, then brought his feet across his lap.

Oliver dropped the phone to his chest. “It was all right.”

“Not a ringing endorsement.”