“Well, you and Dad had a thing and he, like, has photos of you. He showed us one. And, you know, it was kind of meant to be, you know?” Tripp said.

“I think so,” Rocky responded hesitantly.

“What I’m sayin’ is, like, see, Dad got shot which tweaked you, so, that happened for a reason. I mean, it isn’t good, you know, Dad having to get shot and you gettin’ tweaked and all but, since you guys were meant to be, something had to happen for you guys to get back together and I reckon it had to be big,” Tripp explained.

Layne felt his chest start burning and he noted his mother’s head had fallen to Devin’s shoulder but this didn’t penetrate as he listened to his son and his woman.

“Yes, honey, now I understand so I guess you’re right,” Rocky replied.

“So, what I don’t get… and, what really sucks… is your Mom died for no reason,” Tripp went on, Vera’s head shot up, Layne’s body shot up and so did Devin’s.

Devin turned and shook his head at Layne and Layne scowled at him but held himself in check.

“Sometimes,” Rocky said softly, “sometimes, I guess, stuff happens for no reason.”

“Our Mom can be harsh,” Tripp declared.

“Uh… okay,” Rocky replied.

“But, it’d suck, losin’ her,” Tripp finished.

“She’s a good Mom and she loves you like crazy,” Rocky told him.

“Yeah, that’s why it’d suck,” Tripp stated.

“You won’t lose her,” Rocky assured him. “So, you shouldn’t think about that.”

“I’m not thinkin’ about that. I’m just thinkin’, I’m sorry you lost yours,” Tripp returned.

Layne closed his eyes again.

“I’m sorry too, Tripp,” Rocky said.

“I am too, Roc,” Jas put in. “You’re the shit so I reckon your Mom taught you to be the shit so I bet she was cool.”

Layne opened his eyes.

“Yep, Jas, she was super-cool,” Rocky replied.

“Will you show us pictures of her?” Tripp asked.

“Sure, honey,” Rocky answered.

“Cool,” Tripp muttered.

There was silence and Layne started to move but something happened, something he couldn’t see but it was something big and Layne stopped when Tripp spoke again.

“I gotta say somethin’,” he announced.

“What, honey?” Rocky asked.

“You’re gonna think I’m a dork,” Tripp told her.

“It’s impossible for you to be a dork, you’re Tanner Layne’s son and just like him, so there is no way you could be a dork,” Rocky assured him.

“You think I’m just like Dad?” Tripp asked, his voice intense.

“Sure, a younger version of him, maybe, but yes.”

“I don’t look like him,” Tripp noted.

“So?” Rocky prompted.

“Jas does,” Tripp remarked.

“Yes, he does but that doesn’t mean Layne didn’t give you both the best parts of him and those have nothing to do with how hot he is,” Rocky stated.

There was silence and then Tripp said quietly, “That right there is why I gotta say somethin’ dorky.”

“So say it, Tripp, jeez,” Jasper prompted.

“Okay, Jas, but it’s gonna sound stupid.” Tripp was hesitant.

“Just say it, dude,” Jasper pushed.

“Okay, well… yesterday sucked and I didn’t like watchin’ you go through that, Rocky, and I was thinkin’ last night about it and thinkin’ I didn’t like watchin’ that but why wasn’t because it sucked, you havin’ to go through that but because you were hurting and I didn’t like watchin’ you hurt so I reckon that means I love you,” Tripp announced, that burn in Layne’s chest deepened significantly and Tripp went on. “So, I know that’s dorky but your Mom died and my Dad got shot so I guess you should tell people how you feel so they know.” He paused. “So see, stupid.”

There was again silence before Layne heard Rocky reply. “Not stupid, baby, and thank you. That feeling is mutual… for both you guys.”

“Cool,” Tripp whispered.

“Yeah, cool,” Jasper repeated, also on a whisper.

Layne was done so he moved down the stairs, his head turned to the right and he caught sight of them the minute the stairwell opened up. He was right; they were all on the big sectional. Rocky against the back, near the corner, legs curled up, facing Tripp who was sitting with his back to a cushion, his legs stretched out in front of him, feet crossed at the ankles. Jasper was lying full out on his back close to the foot of the couch with Blondie stretched out beside him, on her back, with all four of her legs hanging in the air.

Eyes came to him, including Blondie’s, excluding Jasper’s.

“Hey Dad,” Tripp called.

“Pal,” Layne replied.

“Yo Dad,” Jasper said, he had a video game in his hands over his face and he didn’t even look at his old man.

“Yo,” Layne repeated, his eyes moving to Rocky who was watching him move, her lips smiling, giving him the dimple.

Layne stopped at the side of the sectional, put his hands on his h*ps and Blondie jerked, rolled to her belly and her neck twisted so she could stare at Layne, her dog eyes showing she was trying to understand his intent. Did his presence mean he was going to pet her, let her outside and go with her to throw her ball or was he there to give her dog treats?

“Good call, sweetcheeks, this couch,” he tipped his head to the couch.

“It’s comfy,” Rocky replied.

“It is, Dad, totally comfy,” Tripp agreed. “It’s the shit. Giselle and I are gonna study here.”

“No you’re not, me and Keirry are,” Jasper returned and Layne knew he was serious about staking this claim because he moved the video game from his face to pierce his brother with a stare.

“I called it!” Tripp shouted.

“So? I’m older than you,” Jasper shot back.

“So?” Tripp returned, “That doesn’t mean anything.”

Layne moved to the other end, over Jasper’s head, and he shifted his body into the couch, claiming Rocky, he settled into the corner and she curled into his body and his arms as Blondie got up, walked over Jasper, got close and snuffled Layne’s hand. The minute he started scratching her head, she dropped to her belly and rested her jaws on his abs just over Rocky’s forearm.