Page 76 of Houston, We Have a Problem
“It’s not stupid,” Chad mumbles. “I hated him for the first few years because he did what I couldn’t. I didn’t have the stability to get guardianship after I turned eighteen.”
“But you tried?” I hadn’t even considered the notion that Chad might have tried to get custody of Brook and me once he became an adult, even if that’s exactly what I wanted as a kid.
He nods, staring at the steering wheel now instead of out the window. I can’t imagine how hard he must have taken that. Years of taking care of us, and the government told him he wasn’t good enough?
I clear my throat. “My point is you’ve always looked out for us, and you are always going to do what’s best for the people youlove. Even if that means letting our rich stepdad try to buy me a Charger when I graduated.”
Chad chokes, looking over at me in alarm. “He did that?”
“Triedis the key word. I refused it, obviously.”
“You and I have different notions of obvious.”
“Can we get back on track? You’re clearly in love with Hope, and I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who will try harder to give her the life she wants. As long as she looks out for you too, then I’m happy for you.”
“She’s twenty-four.”
It’s my turn to choke, only I manage to get a mouthful of saliva into my lungs and nearly suffocate trying to clear it so I can breathe again. “Oh,” is all I manage to get out.
Chad smiles, shaking his head. “I know twelve years is a lot. I never planned on my relationship with her being anything more than platonic. Or reluctantly civil. But she crawled under my skin and made herself comfortable.”
“That is the grossest metaphor.”
He punches my arm. “Shut up. Hungry?”
“Starving. Are you going to tell me why you’re treating me to lunch?”
“You’re definitely picking up the bill, Texas. Unless you’re still going to try to convince me your wallet isn’t as big as your ego.”
Laughing, I follow him inside and buy enough tacos to make us both sick.
“But seriously,” I say as we settle in a corner booth—Chad likes to face the door and watch the whole room. “As much as I enjoyed that unexpected heart-to-heart, I know you had other motives. You and I aren’t exactly buddy-buddy.”
“But we could be, right?” For the first time, Chad looks a little nervous. “I mean, you trust me, yeah?”
I grimace. There could only be one reason he is now looking at me with pity, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to hear what he came to say. “What did you do?”
“How much do you really know about Darcy Paxton?”
Now I regret buying him tacos. “I told you not to look into her! We’re not talking about this, Chad.” Even if a morbid curiosity is creeping up now that I know there’s something. It could be completely inconsequential, even though I can’t deny the fact that Chad is usually pretty good about ignoring the details that don’t matter and focusing on the important stuff.
Or whatever he found could explain the reason for my hesitation up until last night. I had to have the gut feeling of distrust for a reason beyond my issues, right?
Chad watches me as if waiting for me to give him the green light to ruin the best relationship I’ve ever had. Sure, it just started, but up until thirty seconds ago I was pretty dang happy.
I groan, dropping my head onto the table. “Do I have reason to be worried?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Then why bring this up?”
“Because I don’t like not being sure. I’m just looking out for you, Hou.”
“Is she dangerous or something?” That’s pretty hard to imagine. Darcy is the kind of girl who stops and feeds a chipmunk because it’s cute. Who makes friends with tired, working parents who do whatever they can to make sure their boys get to have some fun in a game they love. Who nearly convinces me that leaving baseball won’t be the end of the world every time she gives me a smile.
Chad sighs. “Again, I’m not sure. It depends on how you define dangerous.”
“Just tell me.”
