Page 27 of Hearts of Fairlake

"I've loved him very much for years and years. Even back when we were in school."

"Woah."

"Yeah, woah. That's how Papa Bennett felt toward your dad."

"Mom says that just because there's a lot of boys who like boys around me, that doesn't mean I will like boys when I'm older."

I could almost see the context that led to that statement, but he was quickly whipping through topics. Children's minds worked in strange ways but if Devin thought so, he hid it with a smile. “That's true. You’ll probably like girls, but you might like boys instead,orboth."

Colin's eyes widened at that news. “You can like both?"

"Yeah, dude, that's how me and Uncle Trevor feel," I said with a shrug.

"Neat," he said, and he actually sounded like he meant it, which...well, kids were weird.

"Alright, you," Devin said, swooping in to grab Colin. "You still have to finish your food."

"Etan," he said, eyeing me.

"Than," I said with a sigh. "E-than. Ethan."

"Etan."

"Your mother is the bane of my existence."

"Mommy's a...bane?" he asked as I forced him to stand.

"Yes, and you can tell her that too," I said with a smirk as Devin rolled his eyes.

"Do you remember how we said not to repeat the adult words Uncle Chase says a lot?" Devin asked him, taking him by the hand.

"Yeah."

"Well, it's the same with Uncle Ethan's ideas...don't listen to them."

I watched them go, smiling as Colin began to tell Devin about the time he watched Bennett get chased around the house by a squirrel that had got inside. Of course, it was colored by the sheer absurdity that seemed to follow Bennett everywhere. I seriously hoped Colin didn't end up like Bennett, even though they weren't remotely related. If anything, it was more likely that Amber or Brendon would end up following in Bennett's chaotic footsteps.

"You ever regret not having kids?" I asked Trevor as I watched Devin and Colin, smiling as Colin's voice rose and fell in excitement.

"Do you regret deciding not to have them?" Trevor asked, also smiling as he stood beside me.

I opened my mouth to respond and then grimaced when I heard Colin's voice turn to a shrieking outrage because his sister had dared to eat some of the saladclearlymeant for him. It was followed by the wail of Brendon, who was not afan of yelling, as Chase grumbled and Devin cooed at them. "Yeah...no, I'm good."

Trevor chuckled, pulling me close. "Agreed. We've got enough on our plate with the two of us."

"With just you, you mean."

"Sure, Ethan."

"Ass."

SYLAS

"And you're absolutely sure this will be the last role you take?" Gina asked, her hands clasped gently in her lap as she eased her shoulders against the back of the plush chair opposite my own.

I let out a little laugh, shaking my head. "If there's one thing I can be sure of, it’s that there's not a lot in this life you can be sure of."

Her eyes twinkled in amusement. “A little contradictory but full of wisdom. You always know how to keep a conversation interesting."

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