“I’m an hour down the road. I can keep up with anything that pops up, and if I need to come back, it’s an easy drive.”
“So stay in Hamiltown and commute the days you teach. You could keep your office hours here instead of breaking up the team.”
“I’m a faculty member. I don’t want to half-ass it. I want to be active in the department. This is the right choice for me, Hutch. I’ve spent too many nights chasing bad guys. It’s time for me to develop human habits, before I wake up at sixty and realize I’m alone.”
“Ah, fuck that. You’re nowhere near sixty.”
“Maybe not, but the last four years went by faster than I like.”
My brother runs a hand over his dark scruff. He’s quiet, which means he’s thinking. Hutch is stubborn, but he’s not inflexible.
Finally, he relents. “Just don’t get too comfortable around all those kids running around in wool blazers with their scarves flying over their shoulders.”
“It’s not Hogwarts,” I chuckle, gesturing to the warehouse looming behind us. “Anyway, I’ve still got to finish this dump. You think I’d let all my hard work go to waste?”
I bought the abandoned garment factory on the edge of town when I graduated from Columbia, and I’ve been slowly renovating it, turning it into an open-floor-plan loft ever since. So far, I’ve got the upper level completely livable. That just leaves the rest.
Hutch squints up at the massive structure. “You should hire a contractor to finish it while you’re gone. We have the money.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” It’s slow going, but I enjoy working with my hands. It’s a nice balance to being in front of a screen.
“How long is this teaching thing going to last?”
I slide my backpack off my shoulder as we climb into my Jeep. I’ll drive him back to our office in town before I hit the road. “I’m an adjunct professor, so for now it’s only a semester-to-semester gig. If they don’t like me, it could be a one and done.”
“They’ll like you.”
We drive for a few minutes in silence, and it bothers me that he could be angry at my decision. “I need to do this, Hutch.”
He blinks over at me, and the tension in his jaw relaxes. “I know.”
A few more minutes of silence, and we’re entering town. I parallel park on Main Street in front of our glass door, which readsWinston and Lourdein gold lettering. “You take care of yourself and Blake. Let me know when you’ve got a baby on the way.”
“Not sure Blake’s ready for motherhood.” A sly grin curls his lips, and my eyes narrow.
“I’m not sure if that look means you’re wanting to change her mind or you’re still enjoying being on your honeymoon.”
“Nothing wrong with an extended honeymoon.” He holds the door open for me. “And if we have any accidents, that’s okay, too.”
A pang of something like jealousy twists in my stomach. It’s ridiculous, and I dismiss it. I’m happy for my brother, and I’m equally happy returning to campus life, hitting the books, learning what’s new and breaking in the world of academia.
“Hey, handsome.” A sweet voice greets me as I enter our office building.
“Hana.” I catch her in a side hug, her hand resting on the baby belly lifting the front of her black, knee-length dress.
It’s short with spaghetti straps, and her pale-blonde spiral curls are gathered up on her head in a messy way, leaving tendrils falling around her cheeks. She’s really cute pregnant, and Scar is beaming like I’ve never seen—he almost looks approachable.
“Professor Winston.” Her small nose wrinkles. “I thought you were already on the road. I’m glad I get to tell you goodbye.”
“I’m heading out now. Hutch needed a ride to town, and I’m on my way.”
Scar walks up to where we’re standing. His long hair is pulled back in the usual samurai bun, and his inked arms extend from his short-sleeved black tee. He slips one around his wife, covering her rounded belly with a large hand.
His torso and arms were severely burned in a fire when he and Hutch were serving together overseas. Elaborate tattoos now cover those scars, and combined with his piercings and wolf eyes, he’s an intimidating presence. Hana isn’t fazed.
She covers his large hand with her small one, exhaling a light laugh. “Can you believe how fat I am? Just look at me!”
Joy beams in her eyes, but I push back. “You’re not fat, you’re pregnant.”