Page 8 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“Oh, I’m not upset with you, hon.”

A child’s laughter draws my attention to the end of the hallway. I spot Malcolm’s kid running in our direction, and asecond later, Wendy steps out of the meeting room. She freezes when she sees us huddled in front of the locker room, then her eyes narrow.

Fuck. She knows.

CHAPTER 5

LACHLAN

I’ve never wanted to get home more than I do now. Rescue found us in a few hours, but because it was late, we had to spend the night in Taos. The organization chartered a plane to fly us back to LA in the morning, and we didn’t land until past noon.

Ryan is waiting for us on the tarmac of the private airport together with the other families. There’s no sign of June, not that it surprises me. When we spoke on the phone, she said it was better if she didn’t come, and Ryan agreed. Neither of them wanted to tell us why they were being extra careful, and that’s been nagging at me since then.

Ryan meets us halfway with the biggest smile on his face. “I’ve never been happier to see your stupid faces.”

“It’s bloody good to see you too, lad.” I pat his good shoulder.

Jake steps into Ryan’s space and does the same. “I’m glad you had to sit this trip out.”

“Was it horrible?”

Jake and I trade a look, then Jake replies. “Nah, just a little bumpy. The worst part of the ordeal was having to breathe Lachy’s deadly fumes.”

I narrow my eyes. “Ye had to tell him.”

Ryan looks between us, confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Lachy had a lot of beer during the flight.”

Ryan’s eyebrows arch. “Jesus. I’m glad I missed that.”

Banksy walks over, sporting a grim expression. “For real. I was sitting behind him, and I swear to God, it’s a miracle I’m still alive.”

“Shut yer mouth. It wasn’t that bad,” I retort.

Jake, Banksy, and Ryan laugh. I try my best to pretend that I’m annoyed, but it is funny.

Banksy returns to his family, and Ryan glances at us. “But seriously, I’m really fucking glad you made it home safely.”

“We are too,” Jake replies.

Ryan lets out a shaky breath. “Let me go say hello to the others.”

As I watch Ryan walk away, I ask, “Did I see tears in Ryan’s eyes, or did I imagine that?”

Jake grins. “He was definitely misty-eyed.”

It’ll be a hot minute until Ryan is done talking to everyone. I take out my phone and call June. She answers on the first ring.

“Hey,” she says in her sweet voice, making my heart skip a beat.

I thought about June the entire time I was away, but during that moment when I didn’t know if I was ever going to see her again, the only regret I had was that I didn’t spend more time with her.

“Hello, lass. How’s my favorite middle-grade teacher?”

“I’m good now that you called. Did you just land?”

“Yeah. I missed you.” I catch Jake staring at me with his penetrating gaze. “Jakeand I missed you.”

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