Page 108 of Wicked Truths

“So what, you come here and sit all day in the AC?” I ask, trying to figure out why I’m even so focused on it. All the kids that come to Damian’s Way have their own damage or hardships.

“Yeah, I like to be outside, but the community center isn’t my vibe,” Kenton says.

I snort. He’s a cute kid with black curly hair and big eyes, but it’s theI don’t give a fuckattitude that has me itching to figure out how to make his day better.

“How about tomorrow I’ll bring us a basketball and we can play?” I ask, stretching back in my seat.

“Yeah, whatever.” His tone makes it clear he’s not getting his hopes up, and that fucking kills me.

* * *

“You’ve got major skill, little man,” I say late in the afternoon a few days later.

“Thanks,” Kenton says, smiling a toothy grin. “I guess it’s better to have skills than straight-up height.”

I laugh, pulling my T-shirt up to wipe the sweat off my face.

“Ohmigod, we thought we lost you,” Oakley says, pushing out the back door. “I can’t believe the two of you are still out here. It’s like a million degrees.”

“Is it time for the bus?” Kenton asks, tightening the strap on his too large shoe. They’ve seen better days, that’s for damn sure. I’m pretty sure everything he owns has.

“It is,” Oakley says, handing him a brown paper bag. “You missed the afternoon snack. I thought you might want to take it with you.”

Kenton goes rigid for a second before grabbing the bag and giving Oakley a polite smile. “Yeah, thanks. I gotta go.”

“See you tomorrow,” I call out as he bolts inside.

“He’s such a cutie,” Oakley says, coming to bury her face in my sweaty chest. “But just remember the warning they gave us.”

My heart drops into my gut.

I know what she’s saying. The volunteer coordinators beat it into our heads when we first started interacting with the kids. It’s dangerous to get attached because sometimes they just don’t come back. Their parents can’t afford the transportation to get them here or situations change and we’ll never hear from them again.

“You’re already attached,” Oakley says, leaning up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “We should talk about this more tonight as a pack.”

“Really?” I ask as my heart tries to pound right out of my chest.

“Yeah,” Oakley agrees. “I know you’ve never been as sold on going child-free as the rest of us. Also, Ravvi is a good kid. So is Declan.”

She references Lyric’s adopted son and Dexter’s little brother that Love and her guys adopted when Dexter’s mom died.

“Let’s talk about it once we make it back to the apartment,” I say, trying to hold back my excitement.

* * *

“So you want to add to our pack?” Liam asks, tossing himself down on the couch in the apartment we use when we’re in New York.

“He’s a really good kid.” I clear my throat. “But I’m not trying to push for anything without it being a unanimous decision.” I’m adult enough to understand that would be detrimental to all of us, including Kenton.

“What would we do when we’re on tour for five months out of the year?” Marcus asks, kicking his feet up in the recliner he’s sharing with Oakley. “I’m not trying to discourage this at all. I’m adopted. I’ve got zero doubts that we can do better than Wayne and Susan.”

Oakley frowns, snuggling deeper into Marcus’s shoulder.

“Maybe it’s just me,” Sullivan says from the kitchen. “But I’m a little burned out from all the touring.” He comes in with a giant plate of leftover spaghetti and takes a seat. “I know we got lucky pulling the contract we did, but honestly, I wouldn’t mind settling in one place.”

“We’ve got the house in Colorado, but I feel like we only settle in there at Christmas and right before heats,” Oakley says.

“I’m definitely not ready to completely step back from the industry,” Liam says. “I also wouldn’t mind settling into a routine.” He shrugs. “I don’t know what that’ll look like. We might get bored.”

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