Simon scowled at her. “He’s a jerk, and we haven’t hung out in a while.”
This was spinning out of control. “So who are you hanging out with now?”
“No one. I just want to be left alone. I wish I could take Cody to school with me.” He bent to nuzzle the dog again. “He’s the only one who understands me.”
She flinched and glanced at Hez. Simon’s hostility was on full display, and she should have expected it. His sullen moods and angry outbursts were coming more frequently. The good days came less and less often. His grief over the loss of his mother was getting worse, not better. It seemed to be corroding him from the inside like emotional acid. What was happening with him, and how could she help him heal? She’d prayed and prayed for God to help him through this.
Hez took her hand. “You just lied to us, Simon, and there are consequences for fighting at school and lying. No screen time for a month except for schoolwork.” He paused and she could see the sympathy in his blue eyes. “But you’re not grounded. In fact, I’d like your help at the Justice Chamber. We’re getting ready to take on some new work, and I think you’ll have fun.”
Simon stood with Cody still in his arms and glared at them with a black expression. “Whatever.”
She took a step toward him, but he backed away and wouldn’t look at her. A boulder formed in her throat. Maybe they’d handled this all wrong. Should they have punished him when he was still reeling from Jess’s death? They couldn’t ignore discipline, though, not for such serious offenses. They had to figure out a way to reach him before he went too far down the wrong path.
There had been so many changes in his young life lately, and he’d run away from boarding school in England several times before they brought him here. If they were too hard on him, would he try to run again?
“Look out, Will!” Simon jumped to his feet, spilling Hez’s popcorn. “Run!”
Will Dixon couldn’t have heard Simon’s shout over the crowd’s noise in Schwarzburg Stadium, but he somehow sensed the linebacker barreling toward his blind side. Will spun and stepped back as the defender lunged for him. He tucked the ball under his arm and darted forward. The crowd roared as he burst through the line untouched and raced twenty yardsdownfield before a defensive back managed to snag one of the flags fluttering from Will’s belt.
“Wooooo! Chomp! Chomp!” Simon made the traditional TGU Gator Chomp with his arms to celebrate Will’s play.
Hez smiled at the excitement in Simon’s high, young voice. The annual Flags for Food game pitted TGU’s first string offense and defense against each other in a flag football battle that benefited the local food bank. It usually drew a few thousand spectators, but this year the Schwarz was filled to capacity, thanks to the gorgeous spring weather and Will’s athleticism.
Familiar faces sprinkled the crowd. There was Hez’s cousin Blake Lawson and his girlfriend, Paradise Alden. And almost the entire Pelican Harbor Police Department was in the bleachers. Chief Jane Dixon and her husband, Reid, cheered on their son. Savannah’s good friend Nora Craft sat next to them with her boyfriend, Graham Warner, and her niece Tammy Longacre. Other members of the department sat in the row behind them. In fact, the only one missing was Detective Augusta Richards, who must be keeping law and order for the entire town.
Simon sat down and noticed Hez brushing popcorn off his lap. “Oh, did I do that? Sorry, Uncle Hez.”
Hez didn’t mind. Seeing Simon back to his old self was worth a little mess. How long would it last? Hez pushed the question away, determined to savor the moment. “Don’t worry about it, kiddo. Are you having fun?”
“Oh yeah. Will’s so good. I bet he’ll be in the Super Bowl someday.”
“You might be right.” Hez glanced at Simon. This could be a good time for an important question. “Hey, buddy, I need abest man, and there’s no one I’d rather have beside me when I marry your aunt than you. Would you be my wingman?”
Simon’s eyes widened. “Me? Really?” He squared his shoulders. “Do I have to wear a tux?”
“I think your aunt will spare you that if you don’t want to.”
“I want to look nice.”
“I take it that’s a yes.” Hez high-fived him. “Thanks.” His phone buzzed with a text from Savannah:Meeting over. Is the game still going?
Hez glanced up at the game clock. Less than a minute left and Will’s team led by three touchdowns. Perfect timing for an early exit.Almost, he tapped out.We’ll meet you outside the main entrance.
He turned back to Simon. “He’s a terrific QB, but I think he’s done for the day—and so are we. Aunt Savannah is picking us up outside. What do you say to beignets on the boardwalk? After that, we can play Frisbee on the beach with the dogs while we watch the sunset.”
Simon beamed. “I’d love it! You’re the best, Uncle Hez.”
They headed for the exit and joined the throng coursing through the stadium’s shadowy concrete interior. Savannah’s Honda Civic pulled to the curb as they walked out of the Schwarz’s cavernous redbrick main entrance. She gave Hez an inquiring look as he got in, and he responded with a discreet thumbs-up. Simon chattered happily in the back seat for the entire drive to Hez’s condo, where they’d stashed Cody and Marley.
Savannah parked on the street outside Petit Charms. Hez’s condo was right above the café, and the tempting scent of coffee and frying beignets greeted him every time he openedhis door. He’d put on five pounds since he moved in last semester, despite daily runs.
Hez pulled out his keys as they walked around the corner of the building, but he halted at the foot of the iron staircase leading to the condo. The door wasn’t quite shut. He held out his hand to stop Savannah and Simon. “Wait here.”
Savannah followed his gaze, then set a hand on his arm. “Let’s call the police.”
He shook his head. “Augusta is the only one on duty. I don’t want to bother her if we don’t have to. That door sticks sometimes—it’s possible it didn’t latch when we left.”
She hesitated, then released his arm. “Be careful, babe.”
