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“They’re friends?” Remington asks, taking a seat next to me.
“Best friends. They actually live next door to each other,” I tell him.
“You know him pretty well then?”
“A bit. June talks about him all the time, and I’ve watched them both before. Usually when Noah’s Big Brother flakes or drops him.”
“That’s happened a lot?” Remington asks.
His tone has changed and become more somber. Concern floods his emerald eyes, and I fall a little more for him at this moment. Noah can be difficult, but Remington isn’t deterred by a challenge. I suppose that fits perfectly with the man I’m growing dangerously close to.
“Unfortunately,” I say with a nod. “Noah doesn’t make things easy on a lot of his Big Brothers. He’s used to people leaving him, and I think he pushes people away. You can’t be hurt by them leaving if you leave first.”
He nods, looking sad for the kid. “I was thinking the same thing after our first session last week. It’s hard to imagine what made him so wary and defensive already in his short little life.”
Remington leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. From where I’m sitting next to him, I can see his muscles flexing beneath his tanned skin. He shakes his head, as if disgusted at the thought of anyone abandoning Noah.
“What about his parents?” Remington asks after a few moments of silence. “I tried to ask about his family last week but he got mad and stomped off.”
“His dad is in jail. I think he has been since Noah was like three or something. He doesn’t have a relationship with him at all.”
“Will he be getting out soon?”
“I don’t think he’s ever getting out,” I tell him quietly.
Remington’s eyebrow rise, almost hitting his hairline. He gets my meaning without me having to spell it out.
“And his mom?”
“She’s not much of a mom. She’s been in and out of jail too. Trying to get sober and hold down a job. He’s been taken out of her care a few times and put in foster care.”
Remington scowls at that, and I feel the same anger rising up in me. I hate that he has to suffer from the choices of the adults in his life.
“I’m not going to let him down,” Remington says quietly, and I think he’s talking more to himself than to me. My heart knocks against my ribs, stupidly tripping all over itself for the too sexy, too-sweet man.
He turns to look at me over his shoulder, those green eyes going soft. My stomach flips as he sits up and leans toward me, his lips pressing a kiss to my temple before grazing my ear. “I won’t let you down either, sweet girl,” he murmurs.
My breath catches in my throat, and I swallow back unexpected tears.
“Um, so, how was your week?” I ask, trying to change the subject. I don’t want to fall apart in front of him, especially not in front of June and Noah.Remington smiles softly as if sensing the moment is too much.
“Slow. I’ve been cleaning out my mom’s old place and getting it ready to list it. It’s mostly just me throwing out a bunch of junk.”
“Fun times.”
“Hardly,” he laughs.
“What will you do after you’ve sold the place?” I ask him.
“I don’t know yet. I’ll need to find a new house and a job.”
“What do you want to do next?”
June and Noah run past, laughing as they start to jump in the dodgeball section.
“I’m not sure yet. Maybe I’ll teach Krav Maga or consult for some security companies.”
“Do you think you’ll stay in this town?” I ask him.
