Page 88 of Hard Hat Hottie

I cross my arms over my shoulders, almost afraid to hear more.

“At first, I wasn’t sure it was Harry. He looks like he’s lost weight. And he wasn’t wearing the cast anymore. But then he looked at me. I was almost positive it was him. But instead of saying hello, he looked right through me. It was as if he’d seen a ghost.”

The memory of the way I’d felt when he’d done that at the construction site comes back to haunt me. What had happened to make this larger-than-life man change so? In the short time I’d known him, he’d gone out of his way to welcome people into his world. Even the new girl’s kids and ex-husbands.

“It didn’t seem like him. I thought I had to have the wrong guy. Until I got closer. That’s when I told him about the video and wanting to build a castle with Alec. And he recommended I try the sugar cubes. He seemed nice enough about it, but not the happy-go-lucky guy I remember from his house. Then… well…”

“Well, what?”

“Then some redhead came around the corner pushing a cart. I could tell they were together. I’m sorry, Har. I really liked the guy. I was hoping it would work out with you two.”

My face falls. And here I’d thought so fondly of that day in the grocery store with him. I know it’s dumb, but I’d never had such a carefree afternoon with someone who treated me like an equal. Little did I know, this is just his M.O. Offer to cook for them. See if they’ll bite and spend the night.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know, really. I think it was too much too fast. You know. That’s how I roll.”

Just be thankful you didn’t get pregnant this time, Harlow.

I notice something in the periphery and turn to find Justin staring up the steps. That’s odd. All of a sudden, his expression changes, and he rushes upstairs. My mom’s intuition bells are clanging like mad. Did something happen?

“I’ll be right back,” I tell Rob as I take two steps at a time to make sure everything is okay. But my hair stands on end as I hear my little guys.

“Don’t cry, Alec. It’s okay,” Justin soothes.

His little brother responds with louder sobs.

“What’s the matter?” I ask, rushing to their side. Alec has his face buried in his pillow, his older brother rubbing his back. “Are you hurt? Or sick?” Jeez, he was fine a minute ago. Although they seemed to be taking an awfully long time bringing the green table covering down.

Alec rolls on his side, his poor little face red and blotchy. “It’s my fault.”

“What is?”

“Why Harry doesn’t let us come over any more.”

“What? No, honey. That has nothing to do with you. Why would you say that?”

He opens his mouth to speak, only to bury his face back in the pillow and wail. My eyes connect with Justin’s, and it’s clear he knows the scoop. I lift a brow, giving him the universal sign forfess up. Justin reaches down under the bed and lifts the object high enough I can see it.

I gasp, but quickly cover my mouth so Alec won’t get any more upset than he already is.

Harrison’s Magic 8 ball.

But why? “Alec, honey. I need you to talk to me.”

He rolls on his side until he sees Justin holding the black sphere. Covering his face with his hands, he starts to cry louder.

“Alec. Talk to me. Why do you have this?”

Alec is blubbering so loudly, I’m not sure he could speak if he wanted to.

“If I tell you what I think happened, will you promise no one will get in trouble?” Justin asks fearfully.

“Baby, I can’t promise that. It’s never okay to take something that doesn’t belong to you.” Because I’m certain Harrison wouldn’t have given that to Alec after sharing it was his father’s. Not without telling me. “But I won’t love anyone any less. Everyone makes mistakes.”

“It’s not all his fault,” Justin whispers. “Rob has been teaching him bad things.”

My spine stiffens.What the heck?

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