And Spencer hadn’t come home for the night. Or the morning. Or the following two days.

Spencer was careful to avoid his brother’s gaze. “Where are you staying, by the way? Mom and Dad would be over the moon to have you.” The subject was a dangerous one, but he had to bring it up. “They’ve been taking your absence to heart, and it would mean a lot to them if—”

A knock at the door interrupted him. Which was probably for the best, because Caleb’s grin was starting to dim.

“That’s my new landlord right now.” Caleb clapped his hands and rushed to answer the door. “So you don’t need to worry about me. I’ve got everything handled.”

The sight of three very enthusiastic, very hyperactive Chihuahuas answered the question of who was next in line to take Caleb in. Two of the dogs sported polka-dotted bow ties, while the third wore a matching bow in her hair. Lawson’s pack had been over to visit many times before, so they sniffed, ran around in circles, and made a beeline for where Caesar lay in one corner. The bulldog, accustomed to their exuberance, sighed and allowed them to climb all over him. He was probably missing Wheezy, who made a much more restful companion.

“Well, well. You’ve finally decided you’ve had enough of living in a tomb, huh?” Lawson extended a hand toward Caleb. In any other man, it might have been taken as an offer of a handshake, but he reached for the overstuffed black garbage bag and hoisted it over his shoulder instead. Lawson had always been a good man to have around when moving. He could lift anything. “Not that your house isn’t nice, Spencer, but there’s not much…excitement around here, is there?”

Considering the frenzied dog pile in one corner, Caleb’s upheaval of belongings, and the way Lawson’s cheerful voice boomed, Spencer failed to see how anyone could make such a claim.

“You’re doing me a huge favor, Lawson. Thanks.” As Caleb turned toward him, Spencer could see that his happy, carefree facade was back. “Lawson’s giving me a bedroom and a guest bathroom. It’s the height of luxury. I’ll hardly know what to do with myself.”

He hoisted a second black garbage bag and headed out the door to where Lawson’s SUV sat parked and waiting.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier,” Lawson said as soon as Caleb was out of earshot. “I wasn’t sure if Sanit would be on board, but he’s looking forward to having your brother stay with us for a bit. Our own company tends to pall after a while. You don’t mind if we steal Caleb from you?”