Chapter 26

Ryan made it downstairs just before the pizza arrived. They decided to eat in the living room so they could watch TV. Ryan made it through two shows before his eyelids began to droop.

“Up to bed with you,” Merrick said.

“I’m going home,” Ryan protested sleepily.

“No, you’re not. You’d probably fall asleep at the wheel.”

“How come you’re still wide awake?”

Merrick chuckled. “I’m not. I just hide it better than you. With age comes experience.”

“You make it sound like you’re fifty, not thirty.”

“Thirty-three, but at the moment I feel fifty. Come on. Let’s go upstairs.” Merrick shut off the TV, then pulled Ryan to his feet. “Try walking,” Merrick suggested when Ryan just stood there. “One foot in front of the other.”

Flipping him off, Ryan started for the stairs. He waited for Merrick to shut off the lights, then they went up together. When they got to the guestroom, Merrick hugged him, saying, “Sleep well.”