Page 4 of Finding You

Lucas had his head pressed to the wall, and he was rocking it back and forth—something he’d done since he was a very young child. He grinned a little meanly. “No offense, but good. I never liked her. She always yelled at me whenever she talked to me.”

Dallas winced. That was true. She never did fully understand how to speak to a blind person. It always got weird, and they always left early. And eventually, Dallas just stopped coming around to make it easier on everyone.

“Well, you won’t have to see her again.”

“Or ever,” Lucas quipped.

“Use your corny blind jokes on someone else,” Dallas said, elbowing him until he laughed. “But seriously, you can dump all your problems on me all you want. I will always, always be here for it.”

Lucas sighed. “I just wish I could fix it. Like, I don’t really want Dad back. But I wish I could figure out how to make it feel better for Pop.”

“I…well.” Dallas hesitated, then decided fuck it. Maybe Lucas knowing would be the kick in the ass Bronx needed. “What would you say if your pop decided to sell the house and buy a new one closer to me?”

Lucas straightened, his brows flying up. “You’re serious?”

“There’s not a blind school where I live—which sounds like that might be a pro instead of a con,” Dallas said.

Lucas turned to him. “Like, at all, right? No boarding school three hours away?”

“I don’t think so, but even if there is, I don’t think your pop wants you that far after all this,” Dallas said. “I also know a kid around your age who would be totally willing to show you around.”

Lucas wrinkled his nose. “Why are you friends with teenagers?”

“Oh my God, I’m…he’s not my friend, you little shit. He’s my friend’s son. He’s going to be a senior next year, and he’s super chill. He loves D&D and all that nerdy stuff you used to be into.”

“Would he even want to know some dorky junior who can’t see?” Lucas said, his voice quiet now.

“Yeah. He would. You two are a lot alike. I don’t think a year between you or the fact that you can’t see would matter to him. Listen…why don’t you ask your pop if you can come stay with me for a few weeks this summer. You can meet Gage. Hang out. Get to know the place a little. I know your pop wants you to be happy and to feel safe, and this might be a good way to get him used to the idea of you being out there in the world.”

Lucas looked like he was almost afraid to agree but also afraid to disagree. Hope was a dangerous thing, Dallas knew. “If he says no, will you convince him to let me? I can help with the baby. I can clean your house. I can?—”

“Of course I’ll convince him. But Lukie, you will never need to earn your keep at my place,” Dallas said, pulling his nephew into another hug. “I’d like my daughter to get to know my favorite nephew, and if that’s not reason enough, I don’t know what is.”

“I can’t wait to hold her,” Lucas said quietly. “And, um, thanks. For this. I needed someone to say all that to, and I don’t think I can tell Pop how I’m feeling right now. I don’t want to hurt him more than he’s already hurting.”

“He just needs some time to process. And for what it’s worth, he will never, ever blame you.”

Lucas held on to the hug longer than he usually did, but eventually, he let go and settled back into his nest. “Call me later?” he asked.

“As soon as I get in.” Dallas understood he was being dismissed, so he ruffled his nephew’s hair, then let himself out. His own life wasn’t the most neat and tidy. Things were better now that he had his dad group, and now that he’d settled into some sort of routine with Audra—even if it wasn’t nearly enough time.

And he would fight Katie on it. He had no plans to roll over and just let her take his daughter from him. He just needed a bit more time, a bit more patience, and the strength of his newfound family beside him.

He found Bronx on the patio where he’d left him and sat down. “Your son’s going to ask to come stay for the summer if you’re not already moved by then.”

Bronx lifted a brow at him. “And I should say yes because…”

“Because it’s time to let him navigate the world on his own,” Dallas told him. “He understands you more than you think he does. He’s smart. And he’s capable. Tell him the truth about your situation. Talk to him. Treat him like the almost adult he is.”

Bronx covered his face and let out a shaky breath. “Promise me I’m not going to fuck this up.”

Dallas reached across the table and squeezed his brother’s arm. “You’re not going to fuck this up. You have me. Get your house in order, then get the fuck out of this town. My life might be a hot mess right now, but it’s got room for you both, okay? So let’s do this. You and me.”

Bronx looked at him and nodded. “Yeah, okay. You and me.”

Chapter Two

KYLEN

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