“I know.” He sounded defensive, and she hadn’t meant to ruin his good mood. “But he’s a nice guy, and he’s helping me learn how to help more around the house. He’s my friend too.”
“Oh. Okay.” She was glad and scared, because she didn’t want Daniel to get attached only to be hurt again. So hurt and lonely. “Well, good night.” She kissed him on the forehead, as she’d been doing since he was a baby, then she went upstairs to bed.
And made a decision. One that would give her a little buffer and time to think about where things might be going with Evan. If they even had room to go anywhere at all.
* * *
Evan had no idea what he’d done wrong, but by Wednesday, as he and Will stood around the high school parking lot, trying to find the soccer field, he knew he needed to figure it out.
Kenzie had been nice but distant since Saturday. He’d had a blast and wanted to hang out again. Being with her, Daniel, and her friends had been what he’d always wanted. A tight group, people who teased and had fun and cared for one another.
Yet since that day, she’d shut him out with excuses of being too busy at work to spend time together.
And he’d been dying to make love to her, having hinted more than once about having her come over on Sunday.
Nada. Nothing happening.
“There it is.” Will pointed to the north end of the school. “I tell you, Evan. You must have really impressed Daniel. I’ve been dating Rachel for over a year, and the kid has never asked me for help on anything.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You guys seemed to get along pretty well the other night. Don’t get me wrong. Daniel’s a great kid. But he’s been standoffish. Not that I blame him after what I heard about Bryce Tillman. Rachel isnota fan.”
“Tell me about him.”
Will shrugged, his broad shoulders impressive. “All I know is that the guy lived with Kenzie and Daniel. I guess he dated Kenzie for a while. Then they got engaged. She was always up front about Daniel being a huge part of her life. I mean, dude, she’s raised the kid since he was a baby.
“Bryce seemed fine with it. Lila said she always sensed something off about the guy, but Rachel said she’s full of shit. Neither of them, nor Kenzie, had any idea he’d just up and take off one day.”
“Damn.” Evan had known he’d have an uphill battle getting through Kenzie’s shields, but abandonment was a tough road. “So he just took off? No warning?”
“They were engaged. The wedding was planned. Would have happened back in February, I think. Anyhow, he packed up his stuff and told her he just couldn’t do it anymore. He was out, not ready to be a dad to someone else’s kid. Dumped Kenzie and Daniel and never looked back.”
“That’s terrible.” And sad.
“Yeah. As bad on Daniel as it was on Kenzie. The kid thought Bryce could do no wrong.” Will scowled. “I’ve been working my ass off to make friends. Rachel’s like Kenzie’s sister. Lila too, and they think of Daniel as theirs. You’re lucky. You’re coming into this a year after it all went down. I started dating Rachel right when it happened, and I took the brunt of hurt emotions for a long time because Bryce was a dick. But I know how it works. If I take on Rachel, I take on her people, which includes her sisters and parents, who think I’m barely good enough for their daughter, in addition to Lila, Kenzie, and Daniel. But I’m good with all that.”
“You’re a brave guy.”
Will grinned. “That woman is perfect for me. Besides, she tolerates my wacky family, so it’s all good. And I’m learning Korean. Now I know when I’m being insulted at least.”
“Ouch.”
“I meant by Rachel, not her family.”
“Double ouch.”
Will laughed.
He’d given Evan a lot to think about.
The soccer team reminded Evan of his youth, the passion for the sport and the will to soak up any and all expertise a familiar draw. He gave Daniel special attention, using the boy to demonstrate warm-ups and a few defensive moves. Seeing Daniel around a bunch of other teenage boys proved what Evan had thought, that the kid stood out.
Good-looking in a young, needs-a-haircut kind of way, he had a lanky grace and a surprising quickness for someone his size. But he lacked the bulk that was part of the game. At this level, he’d need to get stronger to hold his ground when the opposition tried pushing him around.
Will proved a good sport, allowing Evan to dribble around him while also showing how tenacity and strength helped wear a guy down.
Will pulled him to his feet after a particularly rough defense, and Evan dusted off his shorts. “Yo, Evan, I hate to tell you, but we have to go. Game starts in half an hour, and we need to move to get there in time.”
