Page 79 of Loving You

“But it’s not,” Bronx pointed out. “I mean, he’s here, right?”

“I don’t know what this new chapter’s going to be like. He has some shit going on, and I guess I’m just grateful I’m the person he came to. If this is all I can have, it’s enough.”

Bronx wasn’t quite sure he believed him, but he let him have the moment. Adele was a good guy. He deserved at least that.

Chapter Twenty

BRONX

Bronx wasinside the gas station grabbing a drink and the short list of snacks Lucas had requested when his phone went off. Six calls in three minutes. He didn’t notice his screen blinking until he dipped his head into the car to pop his gas tank door.

There was a single text from Monty, and in spite of the three simple words, something about them sounded frantic.

Monty: Call me please.

Bronx started the pump, then walked around to the front of his car and leaned on the hood as he dialed. It rang one and a half times before Monty picked up. His voice sounded more tense than Bronx had heard him in a while.

“I have a houseguest.”

Bronx blinked, staring off into the distance. “What does that mean?”

“Poppy’s here. I…I know you had a night with the guys and you were heading home after that, but is there any way…” Monty trailed off. “Actually, never mind. I can handle it.”

Bronx smiled softly just as the pump clicked off. “I can be there in ten.”

“Bronx—”

“Nine, if you let me go right now so I can get back on the road.”

Monty sighed softly. “Alright. Thank you.”

“You know it, sparky. Do you want to give me a heads-up though?”

Monty was quiet for a long moment before he answered. “She’s left him.”

“Your dad?”

“Mm. She hasn’t said much since she got here. She didn’t bring anything with her, so I have no idea how bad it was when things went down.”

Fear prickled up Bronx’s spine. “Do you think he hurt her?”

At that, Monty laughed. “I think she hurt him—I think she broke his heart. She might have been the only woman he’s ever loved in whatever messed-up way he’s capable of loving.”

That was such a loaded statement. Bronx didn’t actually doubt that Rod was capable of some kind of love, but there was so much to unpack with that man. But Bronx also knew from personal experience that a person could be both sinner and saint all at once. The world wasn’t as black-and-white as he would have preferred it to be.

“I’m going to call Lucas and let him know I’m staying over,” Bronx said, pushing away from the car.

“If you want to pick him up, I can wait. I’m just worried my father’s going to show up here,” Monty admitted.

“Give me twenty minutes at the most,” Bronx promised. He took a breath. “Hey, sparky?”

“Mm?”

“I love you.”

Monty was quiet for a beat, but Bronx knew he was smiling. “I love you too. See you soon.”

Bronx got his car sorted, then sat in the driver’s seat and called up his son. It took Lucas a while to answer, and he didn’t sound like he was home. “Is this an emergency?”

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