Page 51 of More Than a Little Spark

“I’m fine.Seventh grade is just a little bit hard.I have lots of homework.But I’ve been good.I get it done right after school, and I do my chores.I’m not doing anything wrong in my room.I promise.”A hint of desperation creeps into his voice.

I touch his arm.“Fred, I’m not accusing you.I’m just concerned.Is this because of Daphne and me?”

He shakes his head no, but the hurt in his eyes says otherwise.“I’m fine with it.”

“What can I do to help you?I know school is hard, but I want you to have time with your friends.You and Mason are best buds.”

He shoves half a lemon bar in his mouth and mumbles, “I don’t know.”

“Let’s figure this out.It seems like more than just school is bothering you.Is someone giving you a hard time?Picking on you?”

“No.Everything is good.If you want me to hang out with Mason more, I can do that.”

It’s obvious there is so much he’s not saying, and I’m trying to hide my frustration.“I want you to be happy, Fred.”Pausing, I take a deep breath.“I know what it’s like to grow up in a bad situation, and I am so sorry you lived that too.I loved my sister, but I don’t love how her life choices affected you.But things are different now.Is there something I’m doing that you don’t like?”

“You don’t let me stay up late on school nights?”He gives a mischievous smirk.

“Is that what this is about?”

His smirk falls away.“No.There is no this, Uncle Car.Everything is fine.Really.”He stands up.“I’m going to text Mason and see if I can spend the night at his place tomorrow.Is that okay?”

I nod, sadness making it impossible to respond with words.Whatever needed was what I promised myself, and as much as I hate the thought, I know what I have to do.

Chapter22

Daphne

Daphne

Iknock and wait a second before pushing open Rose’s front door.With newlyweds, waiting an extra second is important.“I’m here.And please tell me you have room in your freezer because I had trouble deciding on which flavor I might want later.”

Rose shakes her head as she walks out of the kitchen.“I’ll make them fit.But I’m not sure why you are so sure tonight will be bad?The last time you were worried about things going south, he finally kissed you.”

“I know, but Carson texted me to arrange this date.He didn’t call, which is unusual.He said he wasn’t available until after dinner, so we should just meet up somewhere to talk.And three…” I hold up three fingers so that my list has more impact.“When I asked how Fred was doing, he replied not good.”

“Okay, but you don’t know it’ll be bad.”

“When you throw those three things into a mixing bowl, you get a breakup.”I hand over the five pints of ice cream, one carton at a time as she tucks them into the limited free space.“But whatever happens, I’ll be okay.I promise.”

Rose hugs me.“I wish I could snap my fingers and make everything perfect.”

“You and me both.”I jingle my keys as I walk out the door.“I’ll stop by after no matter how tonight goes, and I guarantee you won’t have to ask how things went.”

“Love you, friend.”She leans on the doorframe as I walk to my car.

With my brave face on, I smile.“Love you too.”

Then I drive to the back entrance of the ranch and park on the side of the road.Carson climbs out of his truck, which is stopped inside the gate.On the keypad, he enters a code, and the gate swings open.

“Thanks for coming.I figured you could ride with me from here.If we’re near the cabin, we can tuck into the porch if it rains.But this is private so we can talk.”

“Great.”It’s also near where we shared our first kiss, but he doesn’t mention that.I file that as reason number four.I walk up to him and give him a kiss.Unexpectedly, he tugs me close and holds me against his chest.

After pulling back, he blows out a breath.“Thanks for coming.”

I clasp his hand as we walk to the truck.“You okay?”

“Let’s bookmark that thought for now.How are you?Good day?”He opens my door, then slides in behind the wheel.

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