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Just like that, the conversation’s over?

I try to stay chill and fuck around on my phone I don’t know exactly what music he likes, beyond classic rock, and I don’t want to just play so to do Looking at it in the car makes me tired

“You falling asleep?” he murmurs “Put your seat back”

I force a smile “Okay, Dad”

He reaches over and runs his hand up into the back of o slow” A o with you If you want”

I shut my eyes so I can feel his hand around mine “You don’t have to”

His hand tightens on mine “I will”

So uess And allover ot here—even during the tinetic His hand around ; he just supercharges me

I keeplanes, and then I open theetting close

“Whatcha thinking?” he asks softly

“Nothing”

His hand co briefly before he needs it to drive We’re turning left into the parking lot now…driving by the big, red and blue hospital sign

He parks in the deck and walks around to et out, he takes ot this, dude”

“Thanks”

He lets o, but alk mostly in step with each other on the sidewalk toward the entrance As we step into the revolving door, his hand goes to my lower back Then we’re in the lobby Colorful and tall and open I’ here with on—they have these wooden wagons kids can ride in—and my throat cinches

Ezra’s hand is at , brother?”

Oh yeah “Second floor”

In the elevator, he steps close to ainst him so , firm circle on my back as his lips brush over the top of o, I want a milkshake”

“Me too”

We sit in the waiting rooether He shows me some memes on his phone When they call o, too