I lean against the car, arms folded, waiting for the tank to fill up. It's a quiet night. Too quiet. Normally, Sully and I would fill in the quiet moments with banter and light conversation. Well, mostly banter. I almost let myself feel lonely, but I remind myself that Sully doesn't matter anymore. I'm going to see Sam. I smile, thinking back to when he came to visit me a few years ago...

A year earlier...

I trudge up the steps, mentally exhausted from a long day at school. Stupid frickin' physics... Who the hell cares how much potential energy rollercoasters have? I unlock the front door and call, "Sully, I'm home!"

I'm slipping my shoes off when Sully rounds the corner and says, "Hey, kid. I've got a surprise for you."

"Okay..." I say wearily. I not usually one for surprises.

Someone else steps out from behind the wall. "Hey, little brother."

I drop my bag and run over to hug him. "Sam!" I laugh happily. "What are you doing here?"

"To see you, of course. And I thought you were the smart one," he teases.

"Shut up." I playfully punch him in the shoulder. "How'd you even find me?"

"I know people, I've heard things..." he says, some what vague. But I don't care.

"Sam, Sam, look." I tug on the leather cord around my neck and draw the ring out from under my shirt. "I found it!" I whisper excitedly.

"Whoa, lemmie see that." I obediently hand it over and Sam inspects it. "That's incredible. When'd you find it? Where'd you find it?"

"Last year in Columbia."

He gives me an incredulous look. "Columbia? What the hell were you doing in Columbia?"

"Looking for the ring."

"Columbia is dangerous, Nathan. You could have gotten yourself killed."

"But I didn't."

Sam smiles and hands the ring back. "Cocky bastard."

I then drag Sam to my room to show him the research I've been doing on Drake's journey in the East Indies. During all my ramblings, he keeps a smile on his face even though I know he's bored to tears. He's such an awesome brother.

We both look up at the sound of knocking at my door. "You two ready for dinner?" Sully asks.

"Yeah, I'm starved," I say, closing my notebook.

"What do you want?"

"I don't know. Pizza? Chinese?" I turn to Sam. "What do you want?"

"Pizza sounds good to me," he shrugs.

Sully takes the three of us to the pizza place around the corner. Sully and I share a large meat-lovers and Sam has a medium cheese all to himself. "I've got to watch those calories," he winks, making me laugh.

Later that night, Sam and I lounge on the couch, stuffed to the brim. Some stupid cop show plays in the background. "Are you staying over?" I ask.

"I guess. Depends on if the old man'll let me stay," Sam says.

"I'm sure he will." I twist around and call into the kitchen, "Sully, can Sam stay tonight?"

"As long as he doesn't cause any problems," he responds. He stands up and starts to walk towards us.

"He'll be fine," I assure him. "Right Sam?'

Sam gives him a thumbs up. "Right."

"He's good."

Sully rustles my hair. "Alright. He can take the couch."

"Thanks," Sam nods.

"No problem." Sully turns his attention back to me. "Ready for bed, kid?"

"What?" I push myself up to a seated position. "It's only 9:30."

"It's a school night. You'll be cranky if you don't get enough sleep."

"What, is he a toddler?" Sam scoffs. "Let him stay up. What's the worst that'll happen?"

"Yeah, let me stay up! Sully, please?" I beg.

"Nate..."

"Please, please, please?"

"Alright, alright, I'll let you stay up, whiney. Just try to be in bed before midnight, okay? I'm going to bed. See you in the morning, kid."

"'Night, Sully."

Sam waits until Sully's door closes to ask, "Why do you listen him?"

I shrug. "He kind of saved my life."

"So? That doesn't mean you have to live with him."

"Well, he's also teaching me the ins and outs of the field."

"Let me get this straight," Sam says, gesticulating with his hands. "He's teaching you?"

"Yeah."

"He's... teaching you?"

"Yes. I don't get what's so hard to understand."

"It's because he's not teaching you. He's using you for his own personal gain. Can't you see that?"

"Well..."

"You're his little lackey."

"No, I'm his partner."

"Nathan, trust me. I know these things because I've experienced them."

I shift in my seat. Sully wouldn't... "You really think so?"

"I know so."

I scratch the back of my head. "I-I don't know, Sam. He doesn't really seem like that kind of person."

Sam throws his arms in the air. "Alright, think what you will. It's your life." The air is heavy between us. "I think you should come home with me. I'm a lot younger than him. I can protect you."

"I, uh, think I'll decline. I've got it good with Sully."

"Okay, I understand. But if 'Sully' doesn't work out for you, come find me. I'll take care of you, alright?"

I smile and peer out of the corner of my eye at Sam. "Thanks."

"No problem, bro."

The pump suddenly clicks, telling me the gas tank is filled. It's time to move on from this rest stop and the memories. But before I leave...

Ten minutes later...

I almost barrel through the guardrail on the entrance ramp. It's kind of hard to turn with one hand on the wheel and the other one holding a donut.