Page 72 of Broken Crown

I step onto the driveway and make my way up the path toward the front door.If Rory hadn’t texted and asked me to stop by before work, I doubt I would have come here.I probably would have gone straight to Anderson’s estate, showered in the staff quarters, then tried to get a little sleep in my office there.

Considering Rory’s been cold at best over the past few weeks, I was a bit surprised to get her text.I’m hopeful she’s finally realized this needs to happen.That I can’t stay here anymore.

That I don’t think she and AJ should stay here anymore, either.

I try to be as quiet as possible as I input my code into the keypad.Thankfully, she hasn’t changed it since kicking me out, and the door beeps, granting me entry.I slip inside, careful to keep my steps light so as not to wake up AJ.

But when I tiptoe into the kitchen, expecting to see Rory sitting at the table, she’s not there.Someone else is.

“AJ…” I move toward him.“What are you—”

“Is it true?”

I stop in my tracks, raking my gaze over him.

I’ve only been gone a few weeks, but he looks even older than he did the last time I saw him.The boyish cheeks he once had are more angular, his nose becoming more defined.If he had facial hair and laugh lines around his eyes, he’d be a mirror image of my brother, right down to the hardened stare and how he crosses his arms in front of his chest, as Adam so often did whenever he was berating me for something I’d done.

“Is what true?”I ask hesitantly, unsure what he’s referring to.It could be any number of things.That I’m retiring from the guard.That I punched his grandfather.That I failed to consider the potential ramifications to his life and safety when making promises to Esme.

“That you’re moving out.”

I expel a breath, somewhat relieved this is all he wants to talk about.

While I’d hoped to tell him my reasons before his mother made me out to be an inconsiderate bastard, I can’t rewind the clock now.That ship has sailed.Instead, all I can do is give him the one thing he deserves… The truth.

Or as much of the truth as is appropriate to share with an almost ten-year-old boy.

“Not right away.I still have a lot of packing to do.”

“But youaremoving?”

With a slow nod, I pull out a chair and sit beside him.“I’m sorry, buddy.I hate to disappoint you, but—”

“I think it’s a good thing.”

I straighten.“You do?”

A smile teases his mouth.Even his smile reminds me of Adam, the sheepish grin he’d try to hide.

“Yeah.And I’m not just saying that because Mum said I could turn your old room into a video game room.You’re not married to Mum or anything.You should have your own place.”

“So you’re not upset?I wanted to talk to you about it myself, but...well, things don’t always work out as planned.”

“Nah.I get it, Uncle Creed.I’ll miss having you around, but you deserve to be happy.Live your own life.”

I stare at him, blown away by his level of maturity.I don’t know many boys his age who would initiate this kind of conversation.Then again, AJ had no choice but to grow up quickly.

“Thanks, buddy.”I open my arms and he slides off his chair, walking into my embrace.I close my eyes as I squeeze him tightly.

These days, the hugs are few and far between, especially now that he’s almost ten.But today, he doesn’t try to shorten it or push away because he’s worried about who might see.

“This means you’ll be the man of the house now.”I pull back, keeping my hands on his biceps.“You’ll need to look after your mum.Help her out around here.Are you ready for that responsibility?”

“You know I am.I’ve been mowing the lawn for her this summer.And taking out the trash.And helping her put away the groceries.”

“Good.”I squeeze his arms, heart swelling with pride.

Being a parent is a strange thing, even if I’m not technically his dad.I still spent the past decade helping to raise him.There are countless times I wondered if I was screwing everything up.If I was doing enough.If I was causing him more harm than good.

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