Page 30 of Peaks and Promises

“Yeah.”

“A dad who was with your mom and lived in your house?”

His questions weren’t surprising, but he had no idea the kind of shit he was asking me to dig up.

“Yes, but he’s not my biological father. Do you know what I mean by that?”

“He’s your stepdad?”

I nodded. “He raised me, though. I always called him Dad.”

“What happened to your real dad?”

“He left.”

Nate turned toward me, his eyes full of surprise. “Your dad left, too?”

“Yep. Left my mom on her own with three little boys.”

“Why? Was he in a gang?”

“No. He made bad choices, but in different ways. He wasn’t gone because he was in prison. He just didn’t want us.”

“My dad didn’t want me, either.”

“Well, that makes him a fucking idiot.”

His eyes widened.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t say that in front of you. I’m not very good with kids.”

His mouth twitched in a subtle smile. I figured the f-bomb was worth it if it cheered him up a little.

“Are they dangerous?” he asked. “The guys in the gang? Or the club. Mom seems scared.”

“Yes. They’re dangerous.”

His voice changed from sullen and angry to hard and determined. “They’re not going to hurt my mom, are they?”

“No. I won’t let that happen.”

The hope in his expression made my chest feel tight.

“Are you my mom’s boyfriend?”

Now that caught me by surprise. I opened my mouth to answer, but fumbled my words for a second before I could figure out what to say. “No, I’m not her boyfriend. Just a friend.”

He glanced away, his shoulders slumping. Was it my imagination, or did he seem disappointed in my answer?

“I’m going to make sure nothing happens to either of you,” I said. “And you heard your mom. You don’t have to see your dad. I’m probably not supposed to tell you this, but she doesn’t want you to see him. She doesn’t trust him with you.”

“Good. I hate him.”

“Yeah, I don’t blame you.”

“Do you hate your real dad?”

I hesitated. “I used to. I don’t really feel anything for him now. He just…doesn’t matter.”