Page 19 of Fighting Fate

That made sense. Baylor looked around, trying to keep his mind completely blank.

Rhorey suddenly stood and moved to Baylor’s side. “I’m Rhorey.” He spoke like an adult.

A sad smile tugged at Baylor’s lips. “Hi, Rhorey. I’m Baylor.”

He nodded and sat on Baylor’s lap. “You’re sad. I’ll read you a book.”

There was a knot in his stomach and a lump in his throat. He wanted to shove Rhorey from his lap. Worse, he wanted to wrap his arms around him and hold on so tightly he somehow brought Micah back to life. “Okay.”

He felt the stillness in the air. Baylor glanced around. Everyone looked totally frozen. Corey visibly swallowed. He cleared his throat. “Sorry. Rhorey never lets anyone touch him other than a select few people he’s known for years.”

Rhorey opened his book. “It’s okay. He’s a daddy too.”

Baylor immediately fought for air. He turned his head and blinked rapidly, trying not to fall apart.

Corey stared at him questioningly.

Baylor managed to breathe for half a second. “He passed away three years ago.”

Corey looked truly upset on his behalf. “I’m sorry to hear that. There’re no words.”

Baylor gave a jerky nod.

Corey cleared his throat. “I have to run this to the lab. Come on, Rhorey.”

Rhorey ignored Corey’s outstretched hand. “He needs a story. When I was broken, Dada always read to me.”

Before he knew it would happen, Baylor wrapped his arms around Rhorey and pulled him into a more comfortable position. Rhorey didn’t complain.

“It’s okay.” When Baylor realized he said the words to himself, he focused on Corey so he wouldn’t look crazy. “It’s okay. We’ll be okay.”

While Corey still looked slightly unsure, he headed for the door.

Baylor focused on Rhorey and listened to him read. Each word was clear and concise. He had never met a kid like Rhorey. It was almost like he was an adult inside a child’s body. Yet, he also seemed very fragile and young for his age. He was an enigma. Baylor had never been more curious about anyone. He couldn’t be that nosey, though. Baylor would never dig for anyone else’s trauma. Some things were better buried.

“What’s your son’s name?”

“Micah.”

“How did he die?”

The question felt like it came from left field, but it didn’t hurt as much coming from Rhorey. A child’s curiosity was pure. “In a car accident.”

Rhorey nodded. “I died once.” He suddenly lifted his shirt, revealing a roadmap of horrible scars. It looked like someone had stabbed him repeatedly. He dropped his shirt. “My Dada saved me.”

“It sounds like he loves you very much.”

Rhorey smiled and bounced a little. “I got to ride in a plane on the way here. I mean, I get to do that all the time, but I got to watch them fly.”

Baylor smiled. Kids' minds were so beautiful. “Do you like planes?”

Rhorey nodded. “I think I could fly one.”

It took everything Baylor possessed not to laugh. It was obvious Rhorey truly believed he could just fly a plane. His jaw set in a hard line—almost like he dared someone to say otherwise.

“I believe in you.”

A huge smile exploded across Rhorey’s face.

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