Page 40 of Flare

I shrugged. “I’m not so sure. Come take a look.” We made our way through the narrow, box-lined hall to the tiny kitchen at the rear of the store. I stopped next to the window and Beck stepped closer to take a look. I could’ve moved aside, but... yeah.

For a few seconds, we watched Jack and Drew talking. The slender, dark-haired boy with fine features and a wide smile was giggling at whatever Jack was saying. Shortly after, they both dissolved into hoots of laughter.

Beck drew a sharp breath and I stole a sideways glance. We were so close I could’ve leaned across and kissed those pink lips with the barest of effort. I didn’t. Instead, I rested my hand on his arm and ignored the way he tensed. I deserved it.

“When you mentioned Jack’s friend situation last Friday, I thought maybe this was at least something?” I risked a sneaky look, but Beck’s gaze remained fixed on the teens. And then I realised he was smiling.

“It is. In fact, it’s kind of great. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him so at ease like this—certainly not with me.” He sighed and stepped away from the window.

I did the same, sensing he wasn’t done.

He leaned against the countertop and folded his arms. “He got in a fight at school today and they called me in. Some arseholes bullying him about his mother being in jail. That’s why he was late.”

“Damn, I’m sorry. I imagine that was the last thing you needed after the call on Friday. Was the weekend as bad as you thought?”

He pulled a face. “Pretty much. Jack was prickly as all hell. Although we did actually talk in the car today after the school thing and he’s going to call Serena tonight, so that’s something.”

I looked over my shoulder to where the kids were still chatting in the yard. “Drew doesn’t have an easy home life, so he tries to spend as little time there as possible. This is a safe space for him to hang out for a while. Maybe he and Jack don’t have the same issues, as such, but sometimes that doesn’t matter, right?”

“True.” Beck frowned. “And you’re happy for Drew to just come and go?”

I shrugged. “Drew’s fine. I checked with Greg, the youth worker at Rainbow House Centre where my mum occasionally drops off food, and he said Drew is a familiar face there as well. He reassured me Drew’s over sixteen so there’s no parental issues, and he also gave me some pointers on keeping everyone safe.”

“Is he bullied?”

“What do you think?”

Beck winced. “Yeah, stupid question.”

“He’s spoken in vague terms about it and I know he’s talking with Greg too, but he never wants to take it further and he won’t name names.”

“His parents?”

“Greg says Drew’s mother wanted to talk to the school, but Drew’s father saw Drew as the problem, not the group of young thugs. He thinks if Drew would just stop with the transition ‘nonsense,’ everything would be okay.” I rolled my eyes. “Arsehole.”

The slam of the gate drew my attention and I quickly steered Beck back up the hall. “Maybe best if we don’t get caught spying.” My hands sat flat on his shoulder blades, the slide of solid muscle making my palms itch.

I dropped them as soon as we hit the open store, but not before I caught the smirk Hunter fired my way as he chatted with Alec. ‘Why not give him a shot?’the ghost of Hunter-past whispered. I flipped off the live version for having the audacity tobethatvoice in my head. All he did was grin.

“Aren’t you done for the day?” I cut Hunter a quick look.

“Just about to leave. I’ll call you later.” He turned for the door.

“Hunter, wait.” I pulled him into a hug. “I’m sorry. That was rude. I should be saying thanks. You did great work today.”

Hunter kissed my cheek. “I know. Now do yourself a favour and go ask him.”

“I take it all back.” I scowled and shoved him toward the door.

He left with a backward smirk, and I turned to find the other two staring at me. I glanced at the clock. Almost five.

Fuck it.I headed for the coat rack by my office. “Come on, Professor. It sounds like we’ve both had a day and there’s a tiny upstairs bar at the end of the block with a nice view over the harbour and our name on it. I’ll shout you a beer while you wait. We’ve got an hour.”

Beck frowned. “The Library? Yeah, I know it. One of my favourite bars, as it happens.”

I snorted. “Right. Books everywhere. I should’ve known. So, what do you think?”

His gaze flicked on and off my face, definitely wary. Then over to Kip and back again, and I knew the answer before he opened his mouth. “I’ve got marking I really need to finish.”

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