Page 54 of Alec’s Dream

“Deadly.”

“Fuck.” Rob’s jaw clenched before he continued. “All right. Let’s talk to him. He’s worried.”

“I’m sure he is. Appreciate you staying.”

“Beck,” Rob called out.

Becky and Caleb made their way over. Becky stopped looking at her husband for direction but Caleb’s eyes were on Alec. The kid was freaked the hell out, that much was clear. But he was holding it together in a way that both impressed and worried Alec. This kid was no stranger to bad news. The realization made Alec want to beat the hell out of Dumbass Doug. What kind of man could screw his family over?

“Go on in,” Rob told Becky. “We’ll be right there.”

Becky gave Caleb a one-armed squeeze, then she made her way to the house.

“God, what did he do now?” Caleb grumbled.

“I assume you’re talking about your dad,” Alec started.

“It’s always him. He’s always doing something to hurt mom. Just tell me, I’m used to it.”

Yeah, Alec was going to find the fucktard and beat him bloody.

“It’s not your dad.” Not directly anyway, but Alec wasn’t going to explain to the boy that his father’s gambling had once again hurt his mom. “I know this is asking a lot of you, but I figure you can handle it.” The kid jutted out his chin in confirmation. “Today your mom picked Rory up from school early because she’s sick. After they got home, someone knocked on the door and when your mom answered the man he…um…hit her.”

Caleb’s face went pale and Rob stepped closer. Jealously hit Alec hard but he set it aside and continued. “I’m gonna be honest with you, she has a black eye, there’s a cut on her cheek, and she has another cut on her lip. I didn’t want you walking into the house and get caught off-guard, that’s why I’m telling you. But I also need you to know that she’s okay. Your mom is strong. It’s been reported to the police and your Uncle Jonny’s taking care of it. Rory saw the attack so she’s gonna need her big brother to be strong, too. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m asking anyway, they need you to be solid before you go in there. You need to talk about it, you have a word with your mom away from Rory. You can’t talk to her, you call Rob. You need another option, you call me.”

Caleb looked shell-shocked and Alec wondered if he’d done the right thing.

“I can be strong,” Caleb mumbled, however, the crack in his voice belied the words.

“I believe you are strong, Caleb. But this is a lot so I need to know that if it gets to be too much, you’ll reach out. No shame in talking about what’s on your mind. Part of being strong is knowing your limits, knowing when you need to unload.”

“Okay.” Caleb looked up at Rob and once again ugly and unwarranted envy knotted in his gut. He was undeserving of the boy’s trust, the kid didn’t know him from Adam, yet he wanted Caleb to turn to him.

“Let’s go in.”

Rob looked over at Alec and nodded in approval. They were nearly at the door when Caleb stopped. The boy’s swift intake of breath was audible and when he exhaled, his eyes found Alec’s and he frowned.

“Thanks for telling me. I mean, so I can be strong for Rory and mom.”

“Come on, your mom’s been waiting for you to get home. I think she’ll feel better once she sees you.”

They went into the house and found Rory still sitting on the floor on her knees in front of the coffee table dipping crackers into her soup. Her wide eyes on her brother—watching, waiting.

Becky and Macy were notably absent from the room and before he could ask where they were, Aurora launched in.

“Hi, Uncle Rob. I came home early because I felt pukey. But after I threw up I felt better and Alec made me soup and bought me ginger ale.”

“Glad to hear it, short stuff. Soup and ginger ale always makes me feel better.”

“Where’s Mom?” Caleb asked.

Rory’s face started to crumble and her mouth twisted in a way that had residual anger roaring through him.

Good God, this little girl killed him.

“Rory, sweetheart?” The little girl’s eyes came to his and he forgot what he was going to say when the first tear fell.

Alec moved on instinct, making his way to Aurora and sweeping her into his arms, not caring if it was the appropriate or the proper thing to do.