Page 79 of Summer Love

I stepped back as she moved onto the porch and shut the door behind her. "There's an event at school for dads and sons. The problem is?—"

I tucked my hands in my pockets. "Shane's father isn't around."

"Shane is really upset that he'll be one of the few without someone there for him. Other kids have dads or uncles come, and we don't have any family here."

"You want me to go with him?" I asked, trying to figure out why she was telling me this.

Her lips pursed. "If you don't mind."

"What's the event exactly?" I asked, wondering what I was getting myself into.

"It's a basketball game they play in front of the students."

Relief flooded me. "Ah. Okay. I can do that."

Her forehead wrinkled. "It would be during work."

I shook my head. "That's not a problem. I can take a few hours off."

The tension in her face eased. "Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all. I'd love to go with him." Spending time with Shane was nice. I enjoyed it and the relationship we were building. "I know we started this because of some program, but I hope that you think of me as a family friend. You can always ask me for help. I want to be involved."

She pressed a hand over her heart. "You have no idea how happy this will make him. I worry about him. I'm so busy with the younger ones, and he could use a male figure in his life."

"It's not just him that's benefitting from the arrangement. I'm getting something out of it too. I'm learning a lot about myself through this."

"I'm glad." She hugged me, and it was a little awkward because we'd never hugged before. I patted her back.

When she pulled away, her eyes were shiny.

The door opened, and Shane popped his head out. "You didn't tell me Hudson was here."

"We were just talking." Serena moved away from me.

"Did you tell him about the basketball game?" Shane asked eagerly, his worried gaze meeting mine.

Serena smiled. "I did."

"I'd love to go with you. Just let me know the date and time."

"I'll grab the flyer." Shane disappeared inside.

"Thanks for doing this," Serena repeated.

"Never hesitate to ask. I'm happy to help."

Shane returned with the flyer and handed it to me. Then he kept up a steady stream about the teams for the event, and whose dad had played before, and who hadn't. "I hope we're on a good team. I want to win."

"I think the game is just for fun." It was a chance for dads to spend time with their kids.

"I don't want to be on a team where no one can play." He went on about which kids played on a team and those that weren't athletic.

At the community center, we got out and headed toward the court we always played at.

"It's good you can go. I don't want to be the only kid without a dad there."

"Is everyone taking off work?" I would be surprised if everyone's dad could make it.

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