Page 22 of Hearts of Fairlake

"The man isn't stupid, Ethan. He realized he's been seeing you around the kids more than usual, and you haven't been seen in Trevor's truck, which you love to drive because you know it makes Trevor nervous about what you're doing in his baby."

"God," I groaned. "I think he loves that thing more than me. See if I ever buy him an old truck for his birthday again."

"An old truck in good condition that you fixed up, an old truck that he had as a teenager with a lot of good memories tied to it."

"I...okay?"

"You bought a sentimental gift for the man you love. Just own up to it."

"Absolutely not."

Devin laughed. “Years of being in love haven't changed you in the slightest."

"You're goddamn right, and it won't," I said, draining the last of my beer.

"I note that you're taking advantage and trying to steer the subject away from how you haven't been sleeping at home," Devin said.

I groaned, rubbing my face. "We had an argument."

"Which has been known to happen to the two of you."

"A bad one."

"Uh-huh."

"And he's being stubborn."

"And I'm sure you’re being the absolute picture of compromise and understanding."

"You know," I said, narrowing my eyes at him. "Too many people in this town think you're this sweet guy who just ended up being led down a bad path by nasty people and has finally returned to the light. But I know for a fact you're a conniving, evil little shit."

"You're not alone," a low rumble agreed, and I glanced up to see Chase standing behind our chairs. "Because he is, but he's my evil, conniving little shit."

"He's so sweet," Devin said, and the little weirdo sounded like he meant it too. "We were just discussing how it came to be that Ethan has been crashing on his sister's couch rather than in his shared bed with Trevor."

"They got into a fight because Ethan didn't tell Trevor about a new assignment he'd agreed to," Chase said. "Now, come get your food. The steaks have rested long enough."

I gaped at Chase's retreating back. “Now, how the hell did you…I did notaccepta new assignment."

"A new assignment where?" Devin asked, and his playful tone was replaced by a worried one.

"Oh God, not you too!"

"Ethan?"

I sighed, knowing my answer was going to start another problem. "Might or might not be in...Taiwan."

I wasn't surprised to see a shadow pass over Devin's face at the news. Tension between China and Taiwan had been off and on for years now, but it had really been ramping up in the past year or so. There were a lot of reports of things happening along the coast and in the cities as well. Somewere calling the terror attacks the product of Chinese sabotage, while others were claiming it was Taiwanese people trying to make it back to their homeland and sowing discord to do it. Whatever the case, a lot of investigations were being done in the country, and I was offered a chance to participate in one of them.

"Jesus, Ethan, no wonder he was so pissed," Devin said crossly. "There's been what, six or seven American journalists who’ve disappeared or died over there in the past couple of months?"

"Eight," I corrected with a sigh. "And again, I never agreed to anything!"

"Fine," Devin said dryly as he slid out of the lawn chair. "Then what is it that you actually did?"

I grimaced. “I...showed interest in the assignment and asked them to send over any relevant information, and I’d get back to them."

Devin stopped to adjust Brendon on his hip and gave me an incredulous look. “Seriously?"

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