Page 63

“Some boy.”

“What’s his name?”

“Ma…”

I waited.

He looked down at our hands.

“Was it your father?”

“It ain’t so bad.”

“That’s not what I asked you.”

He pulled his hand away and looked forward.

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” he spoke through gritted teeth.

I turned toward the aisle before he could see my face.

Roman had already taken years from us. Now I had to sit here watching my son protect him because he still had to go home to him.

“Does Aria know?”

“She was there.”

I pressed my lips together.

Of course she was.

“Did she say anything?”

“Not really.”

I wanted to ask him exactly what happened. I wanted every word Roman had said and every excuse Aria had made. But Keenan was already watching the doors as the bus slowed for another stop.

I wasn’t going to spend our first conversation making him relive it.

“How’s school?”

“It’s okay.”

“You making friends?”

“A few.”

“Good.”

“Are you friends with a girl named Storie?” I couldn’t help myself. I needed to know if she had gotten her hooks into him.

“We have classes together and we’ve spoken before. I know she’s Mr. Justice’s daughter. My father told me to get along with her for the business or something,” he shrugged.

“Look, it’s important that you keep your distance from her. I used to work for that family. I was a caretaker for their sick grandmother. Storie is trouble. And you need to stay away from her,” I instructed.

“Um, okay.” He was skeptical, I could tell. But hopefully he listened.

“I’m serious.”