Step Brother 2://:Tyler Scheid

30_Hermit Purple

Tyler's ecstatic when we reach the small farm. He's bouncing his feet and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. His head bobs to the music and his smile is ear to ear. The picture of the boys pops in my head and they're all three identical.

Tyler's been talking to Karley ever since the box showed up. I guess she's told the boys all about him. And they want to meet him. W

They live somewhere not too far from us in California but in a rural part. This little white paneled house with a red shingle roof. There's a red and white barn that looks older but very well taken care of.

There's an electric fence and some horses out farther in the pasture. The wide yard is full of a variety of cars and Tyler parks next to a little mint green Ford Fiesta. We get out of the car at the same time and Tyler walks around to kiss me for the millionth time today.

"Andrew, I love you." He says.

"Tyler, I love you too." I kiss his nose.

He smiles and I can feel his hands shaking. "I've never been so happy slash nervous slash excited slash ecstatic!" He jumps a little. I laugh and shake my head as I grab his hand.

"Are you ready?" I look over my shoulder at him. He nods, so we walk up to the door.

"Is my collar crooked?" He stops me before I knock for him. I look over and fix his shirt. A dark blue short-sleeve button-up with little white birds all over it. He takes a deep breath and nods. I knock on the door.

After a second a girl a little shorter than me opens the door. She has long, sleek black hair and caramel skin. "Tyler?" She looks up at Tyler, almost surprised.

"Karley!" He smiles a wide and toothy smile.

"I didn't think you'd actually come." She opens the door far enough for us to squeeze in. "Come on, everyone's out back." She leads us through the Natively dressed living room and the white picket fence kitchen. Something feels off but I feel Tyler's hand relax as soon as we reach the open door. "Danny! Spencer!" She calls out.

The boys run up holding super soakers. "Stick 'em up!" One yells and they both start spraying us. Tyler laughs and holds his hands out, I duck behind him.

"That's not how we treat our special guest now, is it, boys?" Karley bends down and gets eye level with the boys.

"No, mom." They say at the same time.

I lean over to Tyler, "I'm getting Camron/Carson flashbacks."

"Me too." We both laugh into our hands.

Karley rolls her eyes dubiously. "Boys, this is Tyler."

"Our dad?" They ask. They're quick.

"Yes, your dad." She looks at them. They study Tyler.

The one on the right makes a 'come here' motion with his finger and Tyler leans down. The boy whispers something in his ear and Tyler laughs and nods before he holds out a fist. The boy fist bumps him and they blow it up. "Here's the deal..." the other boy says as he slings his giant super soaker up on his shoulder. "Are you down for water gun battles?"

"Always!" Tyler quickly kicks off his shoes and pulls off his socks and shirt. He lets his cargo shorts remain and he looks at the boys. "Where do I get one?"

"Over there." One smiles slyly and points to a bin next to the pool. Looking over, I realize there aren't any other kids here. Tyler waltzes over. "So..." the boy looks back at me. "Who are you?"

I do a two fingered salute and stand at attention. "Private Andrew, sir!" I release. The boys erupt in giggles.

"What's your first name?" Karley asks as she crosses her arms.