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Killian wasn’t looking for anyone permanent, just someone to take the edge off. But now he was stuck at a table with what’s-her-name, and she’d transformed into a brazen hussy. The woman was good-looking, didn’t have too much makeup on, and had a decent figure. She mentioned she was a waitress at a local restaurant. All good, except he wasn’t into displays of intimacy in public like she was showing now. Earlier, she even tried to rub his leg, reaching higher up before he moved his chair. What’s-her-name only winked and laughed.
He reached for the woman’s hand and gently pushed it back. “No. I don’t want the chip.”
What’s-her-name pouted.
“And don’t ever call me Killy.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Hmmm. Someone’s not in a good mood,” she said in baby talk.
Killian blew out the breath he was holding. “You’re right. I’m not.” He took out his wallet, threw three twenties on the table, and stood. “This should cover the bill and tip. Take care.”
Her brows knitted together, and her face reddened. “I bet you’re probably not even a good fuck,” she shouted. Luckily, the music was blasting, so only the next table heard her and laughed.
This wasn’t how he’d hoped the evening would end. For a second, Killian wondered what it would be like to have a woman to go home to. One who loved and respected him.
He shook off the thought. He didn’t need a woman. He didn’t need anyone.
CHAPTER FIVE
Silas Archer sat in the closet and clutched the small teddy bear in his arms and curled himself into a pile of clothes on the floor he had made into a nest.
He was safe. He closed his eyes and sighed.
Silas listened to the soft voice of Miss Lily and the harsher voice of his new foster mom talking in the living room.
He didn’t want to be here. He wanted to stay with Miss Lily. She was pretty and really nice. But when he asked if she would take him home, Miss Lily hugged him and explained that she couldn’t, but she was sure that he’d like his new foster mom.
He didn’t.
Miss Cheryl, as she wanted Silas to call her, was mean. He could tell from her eyes. She didn’t smile when she met him or ask any questions. She pointed to where his bed was and told him to unpack while she talked to Miss Lily.
They’d been talking for a long time. He peeked out around the room. It was small, and there was one other bed in the corner. Silas wondered who else was living there. There was nothing special about the beige room—no pictures on the walls, no books—nothing. It was unwelcoming, and Silas felt alone.
The other bed was unmade, so maybe he wouldn’t have to share the room.
In the last foster home he’d stayed in, he shared a room with three other boys, all older than him. They weren’t nice. They hurt him, and Silas had run away—twice. Unfortunately, he hadn’t gotten very far before the police found him and brought him back. By then, the lady didn’t want him anymore. She said he was too much trouble. Miss Lily had shown up and taken him away.
It took him about two minutes to unpack the bag with his clothes. So here he was, sitting in a closet with his only friend, his bear Teddy, and all alone.
Silas sniffed. The closet smelled like… pee-pee. Did someone miss the toilet?
Tears dripped down his cheek. He missed his mom, but she was gone. Silas still wasn’t sure if she died or just left. Although she wasn’t very nice to him, he loved her.
Teddy was the only toy he could bring with him.
The police had discovered him in his apartment. He didn’t know how long Mommy had been gone. He had been hungry and thirsty, and the apartment was cold. The policeman who found him was nice. He gave Silas some juice and a sandwich, then covered him in a blanket.
Then Miss Lily showed up. She hugged Silas and looked around the apartment, collected some clothes in a bag, promised him that he’d be okay, and they left.
The closet was dark, but Silas had Teddy, so he wasn’t scared. Miss Lily and Miss Cheryl were still talking. Silas didn’t understand why they were talking so much.
He hoped that Miss Cheryl would take him to school. He liked his last kindergarten class at the other school, and although he wasn’t there long, he had made a friend, Charlie. They did fun things in kindergarten, and he was learning to count and read letters. If he learned all his letters, he could write to his mom and ask her when she’d be back.
“So Cheryl, we’re all set now, right?” Miss Lily’s voice came closer.
Silas peeked out from the closet when he heard their voices. His heart pounded in his chest. This was it. Miss Lily was leaving him.
“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Sean.” Miss Cheryl stopped and glanced at Silas, her eyes cold and distant. “I mean, Silas. He’s the only foster kid staying here right now. I’m sure my girls will love him. Tomorrow, I’ll bring him to school.” She cocked her head. “Right, Silas?”
