Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

MADDEN

"We can stay at your house tonight?" Mick asks as we're driving through early-evening traffic.

My chest warms when I think about going to bed with the two of them under my roof. I won't have to worry about them being safe. I've thought off and on about who may come after them since Trey's been in jail. There's no telling what he's said, or to who. I've worried about that more often than I probably should. "Yeah, you and Bec are going to spend the night. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, I'll be able to play with Donut, and not have to stop because we have to go home," he says, glancing over at me with a smile.

I haven't seen a smile like this on his face, ever. He's got dimples in his cheeks. I never knew that. "I'm excited."

I am too. I've wanted to take care of Bec, and now she's letting me. "Me too. We're going to stop and get some dinner, so Becca doesn't have to worry about it. Any suggestions or requests?"

"Chicken fingers," he says with no hesitation.

"Do you like them plain, or dipped?"

"Dipped, but not super hot. Bec likes them hot, and they burn my mouth."

Now this is something I didn't know about Becca, and these are the things I've wanted to. "Alright, we'll grab a couple of different flavors, some fries, and toast. That way, she has plenty to choose from when she gets home."

"Where did she go today?" Mick asks. "I heard her talking to Stephanie, and she mentioned going to see my dad. Is that what she did?"

I'm not sure what she wants him to know and she doesn't. Especially if the meeting didn't go the way she wanted it to. "I think that's something you should ask her." I try to play it off.

"That means she saw him." Mick crosses his arms across his chest. "I wonder if he asked her about me."

He didn't. Men like him never do, but I can't bring myself to say that to the kid who's looking up at me with so much hope in his eyes. I can't break that heart. "I'm sure he did."

"Do you think so?"

"Yeah, I mean, who wouldn't ask about you? You're an amazing kid."

He's beaming, and I wish like hell that what I'm telling him is the truth. I was disappointed most of my life by people who should've been the ones to hold me up and give me the confidence to be the man I am today. Unfortunately, I had to be that person for myself, and I'm willing to be the man for others that I wanted for myself.

"Thanks, Madden."

"You're welcome." I'm emotional as I choke the words out.

We pull into the drive-thru of the local chicken shack and wait our turn. As we're laughing about Donut trying to get into our conversation, my phone rings with a FaceTime request from Beckett. "Ohh, this is my brother."

"You have a brother?"

"Sure do, he's younger and a pain in the ass, but I love him anyway."

The line connects, and I see the face that looks so much like mine. "Hey fucker," Beckett grins, flipping me the bird.

I give him a look. "I've got someone with me." Turning the phone to the side, I let him see Mick. "Watch your mouth."

"Sorry." He moves to zip his lips. "I had no idea. What's going on?"

"We're picking up some dinner from Winnie's. I'll explain it to you later." I raise my eyebrows to let him know now isn't the time to get into this.

He takes the hint. Nodding almost imperceptibly. "Anyway, I called to let you know how my test went."

It takes me a minute to remember that he had a test counting for half his grade this week. "Oh yeah, tell me you aced it."

"Got a B," he tsks. "Missed an A by three questions. Kind of pissed about it, but I'll take what I can get. It wasn't easy. It's the last class I need, you know, so I've been applying for jobs."

This makes me nervous. I know Beckett has big dreams, and I'm scared to death he's going to move halfway across the country. "How's that going for you?" I try to hold back my feelings, and fears.

"Good, I got a job offer today." He grins, eyes flashing with excitement. "That's one reason I called you."

Just as I'm about to ask him, it's our turn to order. "Hold that one sec. I have to order."

"Hey, Officer Williamson," the kid at the window gives me a grin.

"Hey, how's your jump shot?" When I have free time, I like to pick up basketball games in the neighborhood. It's been a while, but I've played with him a few times. I just don't remember his name.

"Getting better. Hope to see you out on the court soon."

"We'll see." I give him a wink.

"What can I get for y'all?"

I glance over at the menu, trying to figure out how much food we'll need, and just taking a shot in the dark. "Give me twenty fingers dipped in the cajun hot sauce, and then ten dipped in the wimpy?" I look over at Mick. He nods his okay. "A basket of fries, and plenty of ranch to dip."

"Coming right up."

"Damn you, Madden. My stomach is growling, and I would kill for some of that fucking chicken."

"Language." I say between gritted teeth.

"Sorry. Anyway, I got a job offer, remember? The reason I called you."

"Yes, please tell me about all of it." I roll my eyes playfully, looking over at Mick. He grins, giving me a small laugh.

Beckett smiles widely. "I'm coming to you, bro. Today I got offered a job in the Emergency Management department for Laurel Springs. I'll be taking over for one of their retiring members."

"What?" I ask, surprised as fuck. "I can't believe this. I knew they were looking for someone, but I didn't even think you'd apply for it. This is so exciting.."

"Me too. I've missed you, and I want to see this life you've built for yourself."

"I can't wait to introduce you to it, and my friends. I'm proud of you, Beckett. When will you be here?" I'm already trying to figure out if I can put him in my house, or if we'll need to look for a different place for him.

"Sixty days, give or take. We have time, and I don't expect you to take care of everything for me."

I know all of this. "I want to help you. It's one of the things in life that gives me joy. I think you realize that."

"I do, and I love you. I'll let you go. Nice to meet you, Mick." He waves to my passenger.

"Love you, bro."

"Love you too."

As I disconnect the call, our food arrives. I reach over onto the dashboard to grab my wallet.

"No charge, Officer." The kid waves me away as I open it.

"No way, that's a lot of food." I shake my head.

"We insist," the owner says from where he's standing in front of their prep table. "Thank you for what you're doing at the elementary school. My daughter talks about you all the time."

I'm beyond humbled. "I appreciate it." Reaching in, I grab the only cash I have, which is a ten-dollar bill. "A tip, thank you, again. I'll see you out on the court soon."

Mick and I have just finished getting all the food out and on the table when two cars pull into my driveway. I watch as Stephanie and Bec meet in the middle. Stephanie hands her two bags, they hug, and then she waves at me from where she stands. I wave back at her, walking out onto the porch, and toward Bec.

She glances at me, tears in her eyes, and from there she runs at me, throwing her arms around me. I grab her up in my arms and hold her tight. "Hey, what's going on?"

"I had the worst day - seeing Trey. He's refusing to do anything that's going to help Mick." She sniffs. "And it hurts my heart. I thought for sure he'd want what's best for him," she whispers in my ear, emotion clogging her throat. "Let me get my shit together before we go inside. I don't want him to see me crying."

"Take your time." I lean my head down so that it's resting on top of hers, my arms wrapped tightly around her. "We're not going in until you feel you're in a space that's good. We can stay out here for an hour if need be."

She sighs, allowing me to hold her up, and put back together the parts that Trey broke.