Page 57 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

“Even if it was only for a short period, youwerepart of his life here.Andhe’s Parker’s brother—I thought you might like to be here for this. You’re family, Brody.” Stacey’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “I haven’t seen him in over a decade.” She surveyed the decorations before peering back at him. “I wanted the house filled with family when he gets here.”

“Stace,” Geena said with a hint of caution in her voice. Stacey seemed to ignore her, though. Her smile was brilliant. She was getting her son back.

Brody’s irritation evaporated. Stacey and Geenahadbeen very good to him over the years. And NoahwasParker’s half-brother. If it made them feel better to be there, so be it. His mind drifted to Chris for a split-second, but that would have to wait.

His family needed him.

Brody was confused. “Walt finally let you see him?”

“Not exactly,” Stacey answered, her smile faltering some.

“He ran away,” Geena replied. “I don’t know if you noticed the SUV out front. That’s Walt and his harpy of a wife. They showed up a little over an hour ago, not too long after the phone call. Walt demanded we hand Noah over, but he’s not here. Not yet, anyway. Now they’re staking the place out, sure we’re lying. They might end up scaring the boy away.”

Brody crossed the living room and glanced through the blinds. A big, black SUV was indeed parked across the street. “Noah just turned eighteen, right? Nothing they can do if he gets here. He’s legally an adult and can choose for himself.”

“True, but something tells me they won’t let this go without a fight. They wouldn’t be sitting out front if they were,” Geena replied. “I wouldn’t put it past them to abduct him again. They said something about his responsibilities at home, but what responsibilities does an eighteen-year-old kid have other than maybe school? Which could be done here.”

Brody whistled. “Should I call Lex over for a little protection? In case things go sideways?”

“You don’t really think they’d go that far—to abduct him,” Stacey murmured to Geena. “Like Brody said, he’s an adult now.”

“Do you really believe that would stop them?” Geena asked Stacey. “They broke the law to get your rights stripped from you.” Geena turned to Brody. “Ask Lex to come, if he can.”

Brody pulled out his phone. Texting Lex, he asked if the guy could head over if available. He could explain the situation once the man arrived. Before he could put the phone away, he saw a bubble form.Omwcame a second later.

“Lex is coming,” he stated, shoving the phone back in his pocket.

“Good,” Geena said. “Walt would think twice before pissing off that colossus.”

The women went back to their decorating, fidgeting around the house, almost seeming to forget he was there. Anticipation filled the room. He ambled over to his son and tossed the kid’s hair before kneeling. “How was the birthday party? I forgot to call and check in.”

Parker grinned. “Two of the dads both had too much to drink and started an argument over football in the adult lounge. We could all hear it out in the park. Mimi tried to break it up and one of them hit her, so Mimi socked him in the jaw and knocked him out cold. He was out for almost thirty minutes. It wasepic.”

“Children and alcohol…sucha great idea.” Maybe they hadn’t needed Lex for security after all. Geena had one hell of a right hook.

“Right?” Parker asked with a grin.

“Otherwise, how you doing?”

Parker smiled up at him. “Excited.”

“I realize you’ve always wanted to meet your brother.”

Parker nodded, but his smile that was so much like Stacey’s faltered. “I hope he comes.”

“Is there reason to imagine he wouldn’t?”

“No, I guess not. I know how sad him not being here makes mom. If he doesn’t come, she’s going to get really upset.”

Brody loved that this almost teenaged boy was concerned with his mother’s feelings. “That’s why we’re here. To help her if that happens.” He ran his hands over Parker’s hair again. “Especially you, bud.” In some ways, Parker had helped heal his mothers. He wasn’t sure if Stacey would’ve survived Noah’s loss without his son there. Parker had given the woman purpose when she’d been lost.

“Yeah,” Parker said before he blew up another balloon.

“How’re you doing, Riley?”

Riley smiled up at him. “Good, Mr. Roark.”

“Parker’s a Roark. I’m a Preston.” He grinned at her confused look. “Why don’t you just call me Brody.”

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