Page 41 of The Sound of Him
“I let them save him.”
“I know.”
“Let Travis keep him mostly to himself, even.”
“I know.”
He’s quiet for a moment before asking, “How is he?”
I try to hide my surprise that he’s asking. The brothers aren’t relevant to Keaton, not for this mission. He doesn’t tend to care about anything other than Keaton. “The little brother or the big one?”
“Both. The Becketts, right? Maison and Carter?”
“Right. They’re… struggling. I think they’ll be alright, though. The whole triangle is a mess, but-”
“Triangle?”
I wince. “Oh. Uh. Travis - Travis and Carter sort of… fell in love.”
There’s a long stretch of silence. “You’re fucking with me.”
“Trust me, I really wish I was.”
“And Maison knows?”
“Yes.”
“Has he tried killing Travis yet?”
That is definitely not what I expected, but I probably should have. Kellan wouldn’t have justtriedkilling Travis if it was Keaton. He would have succeeded.
“Not yet. Hoping never, but I’m keeping an eye on it.”
“Messy,” he grumbles. “This whole thing ismessy.”
“Very.”
“I hate messy.”
Don’t smirk, don’t smirk, don’t smirk.“I know.”
“You think Keaton will let it go? If he gets to do this with Travis?”
No.
I don’t know.
Even if he does, there’s still Bryce…
“I’m hoping.”
“Mm.”
“I think you should let him, for what it’s worth. It’s probably going to be pretty low-risk, all things considered, and it’ll make a big difference for him to get closure. It’s no secret this one fucked him up.”
“Trust me, I’m aware of that. I just don’t want him having any part of this mess. I don’t want you there either, but that’s too late. Why can’t Keaton just call you for updates? Why does he have to getinvolvedtoo?”
I try not to notice the way my chest goes a little warm at the mention of him not liking that I’m involved in something so messy. I’m not a kid who needs validation from his parental figure anymore.
