"Yeah, I know." His mother gave him the same speech all those years ago. He only half believed it then. Worse things have come along and cracked through him. Damn near killed him a few times, torn the ground out from under his feet- it can always be worse.

If there's one thing he can take away from Brandon it's that. It can always be worse and he can put up with more than he'd think possible before bailing.

Taylor loops his arms around Sam's waist, tipping his cheek into his hand. "Seeing them at work though is- it's kind of a shock is all. I'm not glad but I'm not pissed."