Page 9 of Only Temporary

Thank. Fuck.

“Where did you stash our little brothers?” Cason asks as soon as Phillip and I are back in the van.

Phillip doesn’t let us see how much my brother’s attitude has to bug him, his smile is bright as he looks back. “It’s not far from here. Don’t worry. Soon, you’ll all be together.”

“Can’t fucking wait,” Cason says in a huff, and again, I want to tell him to cool it. Doesn’t he know this guy has a say in our future? He may not want me in charge of him, but this is the only way the four of them can stay together.

He knows the system. He has to know that.

When we reach another house ten minutes later, this one looks a little more rundown and cluttered. There are rusty bicycles thrown across the lawn and other toys. This seems a little more typical.

I can hear kids shouting inside before the door even opens for Phillip and me. Phillip remains totally calm and professional though. I wonder if this guy ever lets loose. I tuck that errant thought away though when Kieran and Braylen run to the door.

“Kellan?” Kieran looks utterly shocked when he sees me, and Braylen just looks up at me with confusion in his dark-blue eyes.

“Who are you?”

It hurts that my youngest brother doesn’t know who the hell I am, but it makes sense. He was only four when I left. He’s eight now. I’ve been gone for half his life. “I’m Kellan,” I say, my throat raw with emotion and anger at myself. “I’m your brother.”

Braylen turns his wide eyes to Kieran, who gives a solemn nod. “The one who left, remember?”

Knife. Right in the gut. Kieran is clearly angry with me. His eyes, which are actually the closest shade to my own, are glaring at me now that the shock has worn off. “I’m here now.”

He just shrugs and nudges Braylen. “Let’s go get our stuff.”

Braylen takes off after him, and I try like hell to get some air into my lungs and make my throat and chest stop hurting so bad. “You’re doing really well.” I jolt when I feel Phillip’s hand on my shoulder, and he quickly pulls away. “I’m sorry.”

“No. It’s okay,” I barely grunt at the poor guy.

We all climb in the van, where my four siblings greet each other and softly try to console each other, and all I feel is numb. I need a meeting.

But right now, this is more important.

“So where the hell are we going?” Cason pipes up.

I turn to Phillip because I honestly have no clue what the plan is. Phillip puts the car in drive and starts on his way to wherever. “Your new home.”

“And where is that?” Cason asks.

“It’s not too far from here,” I supply. “My house.”

“You have a fucking house?” he asks, and it’s laced with anger.

“Can you watch your mouth?” I ask, turning around to look at him and then nodding to Kieran and Braylen.

It only makes my brother laugh bitterly. “Like they haven’t heard worse all their lives.”

“Stop,” I direct, sick of his shit already, and that does not bode well. “Yes. I have a house. I bought it with my friend, Tatum.”

I look back toward the front, staring out the windshield. “Your friend?” I can hear the smartass remark coming from Cason before he says it. “You’re fucking gay?”

I swear the van swerves a little, but when I look over at Phillip, he seems to have it under control. “No. I said friend. Not boyfriend.”

“Who the hell buys a house with theirfriend?”

Addicts who’ll never be able to afford anything by themselves. I want to say it, but I don’t. I refrain. Phillip is here and no doubt taking notes inside that head of his to add to our file later.

“It’s a house. It’s a roof over all your heads,” I bite out, and thankfully, Cason shuts up. For now.

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