Page 26 of The Run Home
“No, Shae. I mean, Ilovewomen. Worship them. Think they’re far superior to men and should be protected at all costs. Men may have gotten the brawn, but women got the brain, the heart, the courage, and the body. Basically everything that matters.”
My brain shuttered to a stop at that. His words rolled through my head on a loop, unable to match the insightful sentiment with the man who’d said the words.
“If that’s true, why aren’t you with Kinsley’s mom?”
He sighed. I didn’t know his story, but I knew they’d never been married. All that late-night googling would have turned up a marriage license, I was sure of it.
“I won’t say it was a mistake because every time I look at Kinsley, there’s not one bit of me that thinks someone so perfect could be a mistake.” Boon’s voice had gone gruff. He stared outinto the night, refusing to look at me. The hoot of a nearby owl in the tall trees kept time.
“Cassie was young and so was I. She threw herself at me and I was young and green enough to say yes every time. Condoms aren’t one hundred percent effective, what can I say? We decided to keep the baby and to be friends.”
He looked over at me then. “She’s a good mom. And I’ve tried to provide for them best I can. Cassie’s getting married soon. Wants to go back to nursing school now that Kinsley’s almost grown. Now that I’m home, I couldn’t really deny her request. She put her whole life on hold to raise Kinsley and did a damn good job of it.”
“So why is Kinsley pushing you away so hard?”
Boon laughed, but it was a bitter sound. One I recognize from my own life. “Because I’m a shit dad in all the ways it matters.”
I opened my mouth to deny it, to comfort him. A knee-jerk response to seeing someone in emotional pain. But I stopped myself. He probably was a shit dad, and me placating him was most likely what everyone else had done all these years.
His head swiveled my direction suddenly and I could feel his intense gaze even in the dark.
“What?”
“You’re good with Kinsley,” he stated simply.
“So?” I was a high school teacher. Of course, I had some skills communicating with teens.
“Help me, Shae.” Boon swiveled in the rocker, the wood slats groaning at the shift in weight. His hand landed on mine again, this time squeezing hard. “Teach me how to be a good dad.”
My mouth dropped open. “I’ve never been a parent!” I thought of my a-hole ex. “Much to the irritation of my ex.”
Boon slid out of the chair and onto his knees, his hands clasping mine.
“What are you?—”
“You’re also a girl. Anything you can teach me would be better than how things are right now.” I stared at him, shocked to see the great Boon Wolfe on his knees, begging for my help. “Please, Shae.”
Thankfully, I had matured over the years. Gotten better at thinking on my feet. Or my ass, as it were right then. He wouldn’t have had to beg me, a fact I would not be sharing with him. I had a bleeding heart for teen girls who felt awkward and out of place, having been one myself. I’d been blessed with amazing parents and felt that every kid deserved at least one good one, two if I could help it.
“You’re going to owe me a second favor, bat boy.”
His shoulders dropped and he bent his head to kiss the back of my hand. I tried not to let the feel of his lips against my skin melt my heart.
“Done. Anything you want. Just tell me what to do.”
I felt a surge of power. Boon owed me twice now. And he was looking to me for advice. Tell him what to do? I could think of quite a few things I wanted to tell him. The first being, go to hell. The next being, get naked and show me what good sex is all about. I shook my head, clearing away that thought.Focus, Shae. He’s asking about his daughter, not your unmet sexual needs.
“Fine. Here’s my advice. Find an activity she’ll love and go do it with her. Meet her where she is.”
Boon blinked at me, his face a mask of confusion. “I did! I asked her to go to the batting cages with me this weekend and she hated the idea.”
Sweet Jesus, this man needed my help.
“Duh. That’s whatyouwanted to do. Parenting is the ultimate selflessness, Boon. I said find out whatshewants to do.”
He frowned. “I don’t really want to throw myself off a bridge though.”
I tossed my head back and laughed. “I’m pretty sure she didn’t mean that. Maybe.”
