Parker shoved his hands in his pockets. It was obvious to anyone with two eyes that he was choosing his words carefully.
“Look, I get why you did this.”
“Do you?”
“You didn’t want him to go to juvie.”
So, he really didn’t get it. “Actually, I did it because I had someone to look out for me when I was a kid. I told you what my father and brothers did for me. That kid has no one.”
“That doesn’t mean you step in and take him on when we’re gonna have a kid of our own.”
“And when does someone step in?” I questioned. “Because from where I’m sitting, not a single person in this town has done a damn thing to help that kid.”
“Have you heard his piss poor attitude? That could have something to do with it.”
“Yeah? And why do you think that is? I mean, seriously, Parker. Half the time, kids act like douchebags for attention. No one gives a shit about him. His own parents wouldn’t pick him up from jail.”
“Maybe they’ve had enough of him. Did you ever think it wasn’t the parents’ fault?”
I took a step back, shaking my head at the absurdity of his answer. “Is that what you’ll do with our kid? If he acts up too much, you’ll just toss up your hands and walk away?”
“I would never let it get that far,” he snarled.
“Exactly! I didn’t just go in and save the day. I talked to people. His parents were shitty from the start. They never wanted him. Can you imagine what that feels like for a kid? And he has no friends. How the hell is that kid supposed to have anyone to lean on, to teach him how to be a good person, when not a single person in his life is there for him?”
I could see I was getting through to Parker, even if he didn’t want to admit it. What this kid needed was a family to rely on. It would take a lot of time and effort, but if we were willing to be there for him, this kid might just have a fighting chance.
“Well, we can’t raise this kid in a tiny house,” Parker sighed. “It’s not big enough for the two of us, let alone a teenage boy.”
“It’ll be fine for a few months,” I smiled.
Parker’s eyes narrowed. “If I catch that kid staring at your boobs or your ass, he’s out of here. I don’t give a shit if he has to sleep in the dirt.”
Walking forward, I wrapped my arms around my husband’s neck and smiled. “You’re a good man, Parker Brown.”
He frowned in confusion, but said nothing else as he sealed his lips over mine. “I hope you realize you’re not getting any nookie for a while.”
“Wes!”I shouted, even though we were only divided by a blanket. “It’s time for school!”
Again, I got no response.
“I have to leave,” Parker grumbled.
“It’s fine. I’ll take him. Just send Jeff over here in ten minutes. He’ll take us into town, won’t he?”
“You’ll owe him for life,” Parker said, slanting a kiss over my lips. “We’ll get a truck this weekend.”
With a swat on his ass, I sent him out the door and stomped up the steps tothe loft area. Pulling back the blanket, I gasped when I saw Wes doing something under his blanket that I most definitely did not want to see.
“Oh my God!” I screeched, turning and racing down the stairs, running right into Parker as he stormed back into the house.
“What is it? What happened?” he shouted, pulling his gun.
“Jesus Christ!” Wes shouted. “Ever heard of privacy?”
I shuddered as I shoved past Parker and stormed outside, wiggling off the remnants of what I just saw. “Eww!” I knew it happened. I wasn’t stupid. I just didn’t think I would see a teenage boy doing that. We definitely need a house, and as fast as possible.
Parker stormed out, slamming the door behind him, but he wasn’t angry.
