I gave him a playful glare, "Why not?"

"Sure."

Derek pinched my cheek again - I don't know why he always did that.

Then he stood up casually. "Well, keep that backup plan ready. If things go south, I'll come running to you."

"Uncle!" Mikey, drinking milk from his cup nearby, looked at him reproachfully, "Don't you have work today?"

Derek's gentle expression turned stern, shooting him a look. "You little rascal, trying to get rid of me?"

Mikey huffed, ...