Page 7 of The Best of Us

My stepbrother taught Colin self-defense a few years ago, and he’d taken those lessons to heart. I just never anticipated that he’d use them to get into fights.

“You should have reported him instead. The cameras would’ve backed up what you saw. They’d suspend him, not you.”

He scoffed. “Shedidsee the footage.”

“After you beat him up.”

He shoved the sleeves of his black shirt up, exposing his corded forearms, as if itching to hit Zach again.

“His dad probably threw money at the problem, so he didn’t also end up suspended. Or arrested, like he should’ve been for laying a hand on his girlfriend.”

I blew out my cheeks, taking a moment to think. “Next time, protectwithouthitting. Try to get help first.Onlyswitch over to plan B if plan A fails.”

“What’s plan B?” He ran his fingers through his hair. He’d inherited those thick, dark locks from his father.

“Kick his ass.” I gave him a knowing smile.

I’d blame my words on my stepbrother. He lived in the land of the morally gray, often taking justice into his own hands. If I didn’t know any better, I’d believe Easton and I did share blood since my son was so much like him.

I earned my son’s approval with that comment. His lips twitched into a quick smile that came and went fast. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you losing your job.” He placed his hand on his chest, emphasizing his sincerity. “Then we’ll have to move, and you know how much I don’t want to leave. This is our home now.”

After I’d applied for and landed the job I never thought I’d get, we’d moved here this past January. “New York is just so different from what we’re used to, but yes, I know how much you want to live here. And if you’re happy, I’m happy.”Just stay out of trouble.“I suppose it is starting to grow on me.”

The New York skyline was becoming a comforting blanket wrapped around us. I never thought I’d feel that way so fast, but it was happening anyway.

I ate up the space between us and touched his shoulder.

“I love you.” I needed him to know I’d always be there for him, no matter what. We were all we had, and I was beginning to think that’d never change. I’d never find a father for him, and he’d made it clear from a young age that he didn’t want a replacement for his biological one.

He hugged me, and I resisted crying into his shoulder. I’d save those tears for when I was alone at night. I’d let the guilt and sadness come back to me when I thought about the letters he wrote to Santa as a kid, asking for his father as his Christmas present.

He stopped believing in Santa, and maybe God, too, when his letters and prayers always went unanswered. It broke my heart. And it was my fault. All because of three wild hours at twenty-one, playing a game of “strangers in the night” on a tropical island.

My mystery man and I hadn’t been reckless. We’d used protection.Butcondoms weren’t a hundred percent effective, which I realized when I was four weeks pregnant. So, I’d said goodbye to medical school and my dream of becoming a doctor and welcomed motherhood.

Although being a mom so young hadn’t been my plan, I considered Colin a gift from God. Unfortunately, I couldn’t give him back the gift of a father. Heck, I couldn’t even provide him with his dad’s name.

“Maybe Uncle Easton can visit soon,” I suggested once he let me go. “He promised to come once we were settled in. I think what you need is?—”

“My dad. That’s who I need.” His eyes widened, regret cutting across his face. He knew the impact his words would have on me, especially after I’d been through the wringer this afternoon already.

“I’m sorry.” That was the best I could come up with. I wasn’t sure how many ways I could apologize to him for his father not being in his life. He knew the real reason why now that he was older, but I’d had to white lie my way out of it when he was too young to understand.

At the doorbell ringing, my shoulders startled, and he abruptly turned for the hall. A man on a mission. Probably to go off and get into more trouble. Nope, not happening.

“And where do you think you’re going?” I folded my arms, staring him down, giving him the best “mom look” I could summon.

He groaned but relented without putting up a fight. “I’ll get rid of whoever it is.”

I nodded my thanks, and once he left, I sat on his bed and picked up the lone stuffed animal there.

Patches had been with him since he was born. My grandmother, who had long since passed, had stitched the bear herself. He only had one eye now, but the fact my son held on to him, unashamed to have a stuffed animal at his age, gave me a little bit of hope. All wasn’t lost, was it?

Holding the animal tight to my chest, I quickly prayed to God that my son would find his way because I was failing at every turn on my own.

“Where’s my wallet?” At the deep voice and words being snarled from down the hall, I sprang into action, letting go of Patches to rush toward the sounds of commotion.

“Don’t you even think about coming in.” Colin’s back was to me as he shoved at someone on the other side of the door.

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