Page 31 of Peaks and Promises

“Do you like your stepdad?”

Man, that was a loaded question. But he didn’t know that. “I do like him. But I don’t think he likes me very much.”

“Really? Why not?”

“We’re all capable of making bad choices.”

He sighed heavily. “Yeah. I made a bad choice. I punched Joey Conroy at recess. That’s why I got suspended.”

“Did that happen today?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you hurt yourself?” I reached over and gently took his hand so I could inspect his knuckles. They were red but not swollen. “Can you make a fist for me?”

He opened and closed his hand.

“Does that hurt?”

“Only a little.” He made a fist again. “Aren’t you going to tell me I shouldn’t hit people?”

“I’m sure your mom already did. Did he deserve it?”

He shrugged. “He calls me fat ass all the time.”

A flash of anger flared through me. I doubted I’d been that mad at a ten-year-old since I was one. It made me want to find where he lived and scare the shit out of his parents—teach them to make sure their rotten kid did better.

Fortunately, I had the presence of mind not to say that to Nate.

“You know, kids like that are usually miserable for some reason. They lash out at other kids to make themselves feel better. Doesn’t make it okay. But it says a lot more about Joey Conroy than it does about you. He’s the real ass.”

That got a genuine smile out of him.

“Wanna go inside?” I asked. “It’s hot out here.”

“Sure. My back is sweaty.”

We got up and I found myself wondering—just for a moment—if it was hot back home, too.

Summer looked like she’d been pacing with her arms crossed. She pressed her lips together, and I wondered if she was stopping herself from asking Nate if he was okay.

Maybe he wasn’t. But he would be. He had a fire in him that even a shitty father couldn’t smother.

I caught her gaze and gave her a reassuring nod.

“I’m not going to see him,” Nate declared.

“You’re right,” Summer said. “You’re not. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“And Reese said he won’t let them hurt you.”

Her lips parted in surprise.

“You should believe him, Mom. Look at him.”

That made us both laugh. Our eyes met and her smile spread warmth through my chest.

“How about this,” I said. “You two stay here for the night. You can have my room. I’ll take the couch. You’ll be safe here.”