His father is a fucking fool for not wanting to spend as much time as possible with him.
“Hey,” I say gently.“You did really good today.I’m proud of you.”
Dylan beams at the compliment, brushing crumbs from his shirt.“Thanks, I had fun.”He glances away, his cheeks reddening slightly.“I like it here.”
“I’m glad.You can come by anytime.”
His eyes cut back to me.“Really?”
The kid has no idea that I want him and his mother here every day.That I’ve been dreaming of the day I can make it a reality.
“Really,” I confirm, my tone firm.“I just gotta convince your mom that she’s wanted here too.Got any tips for me?”
His brows shoot up, a crooked smile blooming on his face.“You like her.”
There’s no point in denying it.Dylan isn’t a little kid.He’s twelve years old and when I was his age, I hated when people talked to me like I was too young to understand anything.I suppose that’s why I confirm his suspicion.
“Guilty.”
He laughs.“I knew it.”
“Are you okay with that?”
He pops a shoulder.“Why wouldn’t I be?You seem like a cool guy and my mom can use someone in her corner.She’s always doing things by herself.”He pauses for a beat.“Remember when I told you she was bored?”
I nod.
“I think she’s more lonely than bored.But I don’t got any tips for you.She never listens to me.I’ve been trying to convince her that pizza rolls are one of the major food groups, and she keeps hiding broccoli in my pasta.”
I laugh, reaching over to ruffle his hair.“Hiding veggies in your food?That’s classic mom stuff.”
But his words about Amelia being lonely rather than bored stick with me.I’m going to fill her life with so much joy, she’ll never feel lonely again.
The distant rumble of a motorcycle engine cuts through our conversation.Dylan perks up, watching as the bike makes its way up the driveway, kicking up dirt in its wake.
“Is that Shadow?”Dylan asks
“Looks like it.”
The bike rolls to a stop near the porch steps, and Shadow kills the engine.He removes his helmet, running a hand through his hair before nodding at both of us.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite little cousin and the cowboy who’s corrupting him,” he says with a grin, climbing the steps to the porch.
Dylan laughs.“I’m not corrupted.I’m a rider now.”
“No shit?”Shadow raises an eyebrow, accepting the glass of tea I offer him.“The lesson went that good?”
“Kid’s got talent,” I say.“Took to Bluebell like they’ve known each other for years.”
Shadow nods approvingly at Dylan.“Not surprised.Got good blood in him.”He takes a long drink of tea, then sets his glass down.“Mind if I borrow Maddox for a minute, buddy?Got some boring grown-up stuff to discuss.
Dylan shrugs, clearly disappointed at being excluded but too cool to show it.“Whatever.Can I have more cornbread?”
“Knock yourself out,” I tell him, then follow Shadow down the porch steps and around to the side of the house, out of earshot.
His expression shifts as soon as we’re alone, his easy smile replaced by something more serious.
“What’s up?”I ask.
