Page 81 of Ancient Obsession

“I’m sorry to hear that. How old is he?”

“Well, he just turned seventy-seven but refuses to see a doctor. No idea what it might be, and it’s pretty upsetting for her.”

“Show me pictures of Erin.”

Like any proud father, Brady had an album dedicated to his daughter. As he swiped through, Dave marveled over every photo. Cody returned and took the chair on Brady’s other side, leaning in to see as well.

“Damn, good thing she got Hilari’s looks.” Cody rubbed a hand across the top of Brady’s head.

Brady smacked his hand away. “Cut it out, doofus.”

Grant and Roman joined them, and the trash talk soon turned to family updates. Grant’s kids were almost done with school for the year, and his cannabis business was growing. Roman’s smile was bright and proud as he told them his daughter, Summer, had a full ride to Sarah Lawrence in the fall, and that his son had already hit a home run for his summer Little League.

Memories of summer days spent terrorizing each other in the backyard and all across Parson’s Hollow came next. Cody waxed poetic about the go cart he’d built from scrap wood and old skateboards.

“Too bad you forgot to include brakes,” Brady said.

Roman and Grant recalled the day their parents had brought Cody home from the hospital, and after a few hours of listening to him cry, Roman had asked if they could take him back.

At a lull in the conversation, as Dave’s chest still felt warm from shared family history and connection, Roman tipped his bottle toward him. “You’re really sure you want to do this?”

“Yes, Roman, I’m sure.” Dave downed the shot Cody had set before him. Completely unrelated to Roman’s questioning, of course.

“I mean, you’ve been pretty serious about, you know, people in the past. Like that girl down in Atlanta a few years ago.”

“I love Oliver. End of subject.”

“Jesus, dude,” Cody snapped. “Lay off him.”

“What? I’m checking to make sure my little brother isn’t rushing into something.”

“I’m not. I love him, and we’re getting married Saturday.”

“I know, and I’m happy for you⁠—”

The bitterness in his own laugh surprised him.

Roman continued. “I am happy for you.”

“But?” Dave prompted.

Roman nodded. “But, it’s a huge lifestyle change.”

“Oh, really?” Cody’s expression was tight, cheeks coloring slightly. “Tell us all something we don’t know.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “Just because you did it doesn’t mean he should.”

Dave clenched his jaw and tightened his grip on his beer. A number of responses flashed through his mind, all of them guaranteed to incinerate the flimsy strands of connection between him and Roman. He settled for asking, “Why did you come?”

Before Roman could respond to that, Grant, the oldest, stepped in. “Romes, Dave’s embracing his feminine side, and we all should be celebrating with him.”

“Nope, that’s not really what it’s about.” Dave tried to explain, but it was drowned out by Roman telling Grant to stop calling him that.

“Come on, Romes, Ols is, like, a really great addition to the family.”

“Thank you, Grant,” Dave said, then wrinkled his nose. “Ols?”

Grant smiled. “Yeah, man, you’re welcome.”