Page 62 of The Best of Us

“How?”

“Hospitals are always raising money for something. I’ll be sure whatever they need is paid for.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” The man moved so fast I could barely keep up with him.

Hmm.“What about Colin and school?”

“He’s suspended until Wednesday, right? So, if we need him to stay out longer, I’ll handle that, too. Of course, I’d prefer he changed schools and enroll where I went. Better programs there.”

“You already looked into his current school?”

“Of course I did.”

“You’re lightning-quick about everything.”

His eyes dropped between us, settling on my lap, and a flash of heat pooled in my stomach as he murmured, “Not about everything.”

I remember.Thank God for the padded bra now.

“Colin told me what happened the other day,” he said in a firm voice, bringing us back on task and cutting the obvious tension before it consumed us both. “I don’t like the idea that his principal quietly stood by while a guy had you get on your hands and knees for him.”

I worked through the surprise surrounding Colin opening up to him about that before even knowing he was his father. “I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t want him getting hit with assault charges or a lawsuit. But if Colin’s game about switching schools, I am as well. The last thing I want to do is see that kid’s father or face the principal again.” I shivered at the thought, and he set his hands on my arms, tracking the chills there with his palms. Of course, all he managed to do was create new ones.

“I’ll be needing that man’s name.”

My gaze swerved to his face. “No.”

“Yes.”

“No,” I shot back, not wanting to give it to him for precisely the same reason I didn’t tell Easton about the incident.

“Yes,” he said emphatically. “I can do this all day,” he added before I could protest again.

“Oh, just a little controlling, huh?” I teased. “But I suppose being a little controlling is okay if it’s for a worthy reason. I won’t fight you on that.”

“Much appreciated.” I read the fire in his eyes, the desire to handle Zach’s father like Colin handled his son at school the other day. “His name,” he prompted.

My shoulders sagged. “He’s a defense lawyer.” I had to try one more time to talk some sense into him.

“And?”

He stopped touching me and backed up, so I took the opportunity to hop down and test out my legs. Thankfully, I didn’t have an Ariel fromThe Little Mermaidmoment and remained standing fine.

“This is not one of those ‘worthy cause’ times.”

He scoffed as if offended. “The man made the mother of my son get on her hands and knees, and you don’t think that’s a good enough reason to . . .”

I folded my arms, curious where he planned to go with that sentence. “He doesn’t belong in that closet of yours. He’s an asshole, not evil.”

He narrowed his eyes as if about to let me know there wasn’t a difference, but he wisely refrained, saving my heart the unnecessary stress. His hands went to the counter on each side of me, imprisoning me again.

He closed his eyes and said something under his breath, presumably in Italian since I didn’t understand. “You should get some rest. I think that’s enough questions for now.”

I considered protesting, but I was mentally and physically drained, and I didn’t entirely trust myself to make the best decisions in that state. Considering how easily I’d slipped from being afraid to being turned on within the space of minutes should’ve concerned me, too. “Okay.”

He opened his eyes as if relieved I didn’t put up a fight. “Good. So, you’ll sleep?”

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