“You’re the coolest kid I know, Toby. And I’m not just saying that. I’ll tell you something else. I know Mike Booth’s father, and that guy is the biggest loser I’ve ever known.” I was sure that wasn’t the right thing to say to a young, impressionable kid, but I never claimed to be a pro at this, and there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do or say to make Toby feel better.
“Really?”
“Yep. Got kicked off the football team because he was a lazy jerk who was failing all his classes. Barely graduated from high school. But none of that matters, bud. What matters is that you know those other kids are only taking their own issues out on you. People who bully do it because they feel like they don’t have any power in their own lives, so they have to make other people feel even lower so they can deal.
“I’d love to tell you to pop that Mike kid right in the mouth next time he says anything, but we both know that’s not the right way to go. So remember, next time they start on you, remind yourself they’re only doing it becausetheyare lacking something. Not you.”
The sadness that had been in his eyes washed away as he nodded. “Yeah. Okay. I can do that.”
I nodded back at him. “Good. Now pick up your rod, and let’s catch us some fish.” I waggled my eyebrows and added, “And while we’re at it, you can tell me all about the girl, yeah?”
We got back to business, even made into a competition to see who could catch the most fish, and by the time I dropped off Toby at Hope House, the light that had been missing from his eyes earlier was back.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lennix
“That little piece of shit,” I said, looking up at the ceiling, fisting the bedsheet in my hands. “I’m gonna kill him.”
Raylan laughed and tightened the arm he had wrapped around my back, pulling me harder against his side. The warm, bare skin of his naked body pressed against mine was typically enough to put me in a pleasant mood. But he’d just told me all about his conversation with the boy he mentored, Toby, and I wanted blood for that poor, sweet boy.
“Should have expected that a jack-faced butthole like Jason Booth would raise a little monster.”
Raylan’s chest rattled on a snort. “Jack-faced butthole?”
I twisted in the sheets we’d spent most of the evening rolling around in, resting my chin on the backs of my hands that were stacked on Raylan’s left pec so I could see his face. I squished my own up in a teasing glare. “Don’t make fun. It’s a thing.”
He wrapped both arms around me and hauled me farther up his body so my face was hovering over his and my legs werestraddling his waist. “Not making fun, I promise. But I gotta admit, there’s something really hot seein’ you get all fierce and violent on Toby’s behalf.”
I’d only met the kid once, and barely said more than two words to him, but he’d made me laugh, the little flirt, and Raylan talked about him all the time. It was clear how much he cared about Toby, so that made him important to me as well.
Given how my brother had grown up before Mom and Dad found him and brought him into our family, I was particularly sensitive when it came to kids in the foster system. And Iabhorredbullies.
“Yeah, well, that stupid family just guaranteed themselves a lifetime ban from the bar and brewery. I’ll make sure my kids ban their kids and so and so on for generations.”
Raylan’s entire face lit up with a beautiful smile. “Should I be concerned that your vengeful streak seriously turns me on?”
I pulled my teeth between my lips to stifle a grin. Raylan and I had been together two weeks now, and I was still blushing like a virginal school girl where he was concerned. “I think a therapist might have a field day with it, but you won’t get any complaints from me.”
I was sure this whole thing we were doing would be considered incredibly unhealthy by professionals, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. I finally had what I’d wanted for half my life. It might not have been exactly how I’d always imagined, but it wasn’t bad. I kept telling myself that one day we wouldn’t have to hide anymore. That Raylan would see that what we had was worth it, and we were made to go the distance. All I could do was hope I hadn’t relegated myself to a relationship that was doomed to be a secret, to only being able to show what he meant to me behind the safety of closed doors.
He hooked me by the back of my neck and pulled my face down to kiss me deeply, caressing my tongue with his. Just likethat, I found my body heating up, ready to go all over again. That was what he did to me. Every touch, every caress and gentle look, turned me on like a light turned on in a dark room. But before I could go in for another kiss, my stomach let out a growl so loud I thought it would vibrate the glass in my windows.
Raylan threw his head back into the pillows and burst into laughter. When I tried to roll away in humiliation, he tightened his hold, squishing me against him. “Where are you going?” he asked on a chuckle.
I squirmed against him to get away, but it was no use. The damn man was just toostrong. “To die of embarrassment in privacy, thank you very much.”
He raised his head for a quick, hard peck on my lips before giving my ass a spank. “No need to be embarrassed about anything. But as much as I’d love to stay in this bed with you, we need to get you fed before that monster in your belly escapes and kills us all.”
I punched him lightly and pulled back. This time he let me go and we both climbed out of the bed. He was right, I was starving, and at the very least, if I didn’t get some food in me soon, I was at risk of getting hangry, and no one wanted that.
I moved to my dresser and pulled out some lounge clothes to pull on before moving to the door where I’d hung my cardigan. Only, it wasn’t there.
“Hey, have you seen my sweater?” I asked as I looked around my bedroom.
“It’s right there.” Raylan finished pulling up his jeans and pointed to its usual hook, but instead of my cardigan, one of his thick flannel shirts hung there.
I turned to face him, pointing at the shirt in question. “That’s not mine. That’s yours.”
