章 96: Chapter 96

Pad watched Liam walk briskly toward the Honda. Pad followed. He waved at Jack, Belinda, and Tristan and motioned that they were getting something to eat by holding an imaginary fork in his hands.

Maybe it was Wayne asking for forgiveness. Maybe he was happy not being arrested for an improbable DUI. Or maybe he was just having the early wedding happy buzz but he wanted to go to IHOP with them even though it was way past his bedtime.

Friends are the family you pick.

* * * *

Pad walked in with pancakes. After he set the to-go bag on the counter in the kitchen and took off his shoes, he tiptoed to the bedroom, and undressed as silently as he could.

“I’m awake, you know,” said RJ, his voice hoarse.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you.”

“What time is it?”

“It’s close to five-thirty.”

Pad walked up to the bed and sat on the edge.

RJ moved to allow him room. “You must have had a good night at the bars.”

“I didn’t even stay more than an hour at the Indigo.”