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“Move aside.”
“I—“
I reached in and easily unhooked the straps attached to the safety latch between the seats. Once it was loose, I pulled it out and walked across the yard to my truck, throwing open the back door and tucking it in place. It looked strange in my truck, even though I’d only owned it for a few weeks. I turned and looked at the kid who had his arms raised for me to lift him up, then shook my head and stormed around the vehicle. This had to be the fucking stupidest thing I’d ever offered.
I wasn’t a kid person. They were fine for other people, but I made a point to avoid them at all costs. I was never going to have any of my own. That’s why it was so easy to work for Rafe. With my home life as a kid, I knew I never wanted to put my kid in danger the way myparents had. And no matter how old I got, it never really felt like I left that trailer park.
“I’m really sorry about this,” Skylar said as she got in the passenger side.
“No problem.”
But the tone in my voice was basically a bigfuck off. I shifted into reverse and backed down the driveway. It wasn’t until we reached the stop sign that she told me where we were going.
“I just have to drop Parker off first.”
“I figured he wasn’t going to work with you,” I said dryly.
She cleared her throat, shifting like she was nervous on the other side of the truck. Goddamn, I wasn’t about to drive us into a lake, and I had absolutely no desire to kidnap the woman and her kid. What sane man would? I drove in complete silence, refusing to offer up any conversation. The last thing I needed was to know more about this woman.
“Goddamnit,” I muttered, earning me a scowl from her. I did need to know more about this woman. It didn’t matter that I didn’t want to know her. For the job, I had to find out if she knew anything, and being an asshole wouldn’t help.
“What hospital do you work at?” Fuck, even to me that came out too harsh and demanding. If I was going to get on her good side, I would have to work on my people skills.
“St. Mary’s,” she said quietly.
My eyes flicked to the rear view mirror to watch her kid. He was quiet, a little too quiet. Which had me wondering why. Didn’t kids usually talk your ear off?
I pulled into the preschool and parked in front of the door. A lady opened the door as we pulled up, waving at Skylar as she got out. I rested my head back against the seat as she unbuckled her kid and walked him inside. She held his hand as she walked him to the door, then bent down and smiled at him, giving him kisses as she said goodbye. That didn’t exactly line up with a woman that was attached to Rico. Something was definitely off about this.
She hurried back to the truck as the kid disappeared inside with thewoman. For just a second, she smiled at me. But as if she just remembered who I was, that smile faded and the light left her eyes.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me,” I grumbled.
“I just really appreciate the lift. I couldn’t afford to be late today.”
Glancing over at her, I asked, “Are you late a lot?”
“Hardly ever. If I’m not early, I’m late. But having a little kid doesn’t always make it easy.”
I grunted in response. “What about Parker’s father?”
“I already told you, he’s not in the picture.”
“Just wondering if he would be around to help out if you don’t get your car back today.”
It was a lie. I didn’t give a shit if he would be around, but it did the trick. She huffed out a laugh, pressing her face into her hands. “I’m so sorry. I just…when people ask me about it, it always seems like gossip.”
“That’s because most people are assholes.”
“And you’re not?”
“I didn’t say that.” I stopped at the light and looked her in the eyes. I knew she wanted to look away, but something about her wouldn’t allow it. Some form of pride or something. I had to give her credit for being strong. She had to be as a single parent. I knew, and I only acted as a parent for a short time. I didn’t go through diapers and potty training, or any of the early stages of life. I dealt with a kid who was far too grown up for her age, and she knew that she had to be an adult if we were going to survive.
“The light is green.”
I stared at her for just another second, then adjusted my gaze to the road and continued driving. I had to stop thinking about the past. It wouldn’t help me with my current job, nor would it change a damn thing. I couldn’t bring my sister back or make up for what happened to her. It was too late.
