Page 18 of Avery's Hero

“My mother had an abusive father. I watched her overcome her past when she met a good man, my stepfather. Plus, I’ve got good intuition. I’ve always been able to understand how people tick…” I grumble, “Except my fifteen-year-old. That’s a different story.”

Her brows shoot up as her expression grows lighter. “Well, teenagers are not really people in the whole sense of the word.”

Oh, how right she is. I chuckle. “Now look who’s the wise one. You hit that nail on the head. He’s running on hormones for sure.”

She squeezes my hand. “It will get better. Soon, he’ll be at least ten percent logic. But be warned, I don’t know that it gets better than that.”

She’s right. I’m far more hormone than logic. A grin pulls at the corner of my mouth. “I guess I proved that fact in my office yesterday. But realization doesn’t make me feel a lot better about Linc. I guess I can have hope that he’s a better man than me.”

She smiles softly. “Is he like you?”

God help me. That grin I had on my face turns to a grimace. “Far too much.”

Her eyes rove over me as a smirk curls her lips. “You’ve got your hands full, I’m guessing.”

“You have no idea. Raising him alone is way fucking harder than I ever thought it would be. Come on, I can’t sit here any longer and smell those burgers.”

“Youarehungry like a bear.”

My good humor vanishes, replaced by the lust that’s been simmering in my veins for hours. “I’m far more of an animal than you’ll ever know.”

She’s wearing a smile that is dangerously vixen-like as she climbs out from the truck. “I like animals.”

“Careful, woman. Not what I need to hear right now.”

Avery makes me think about things I shouldn’t think about. I wish Avery hated me. Things would be a hell of a lot easier.

Falling in step beside me as we cross the parking lot, Avery touches my elbow with her own. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Fire away.”

“What happened between you and your wife?”

Oof. I didn’t expect that. It takes me a second to get my head together.

Holding the restaurant door open, I try to smooth all of the bitterness out of my voice. “Tamara decided that she would have a better life with a guy that was more fun.”

“I’m sorry. That’s brutal. Do you share custody of your son?”

“When Lincoln was old enough to express his preference, he asked not to spend time with her anymore. She didn’t protest. I think it was a relief for her. Partying was really her only concern. Making up for lost time, I guess.”

The hostess asks how many people are dining and I hold up two fingers. As we follow the woman through the diner, Avery says softly, “Ouch. That’s a tough story.”

I take the menus and motion for Avery to slide into the booth. I take the side opposite and pass her the laminated trifold. “Linc has been through some hard times.”

“I know he’ll be okay because you’re the one who’s looking out for him. I think you do a good job of taking care of people.”

“That’s my job.”

Looking at me over her menu, she says, “Thanks, Brock. For talking with me. It feels good knowing you’ll look out for me.”

“You’re welcome, Avery. Now get busy looking at that menu because I’ll order for you if you don’t decide in sixty seconds. I’m ready to tear into something juicy.”

Her eyes flare, but she refuses to look at me as her color turns to ruby red.

Heat throbs between us. She tries to ignore it, but the pulse in her neck is a dead giveaway.

Fuck me. How I want to kiss that blush, bite my way down her neck, and bury my face in all her sweetest places.

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