Page 11 of Summer Nights

"Thanks."

"I'm going to head out," Shep said, falling into step with the Kingston men. They were an impressive bunch with their hard muscles and tan skin.

I waited while Cooper helped Duncan with his shot and then asked him, "You want to do some one-on-one?"

Duncan nodded shyly. "Sure."

Duncan didn't have a father figure around. Not one that stayed for longer than a few months and none that I'd consider good for him.

I sat on the bench so that I could keep one eye on Rae on the playground, where she'd found a group of girls to play with, and Duncan. Although Cooper in his shirtless state was drawing more of my attention.

His muscles rippled as he played defense on Duncan, and when he jumped in the air to block his shot, his muscles pulled taut.

Cooper fist bumped him when the shot went in.

Duncan drifted over to me. "I'm thirsty."

I handed him his water bottle.

"You come to the park often?" Cooper asked me.

"We come here once a week, and then we get ice cream." I hated leaving them in that trailer, so this eased some of my guilt. I couldn't take them from my mom without a clear reason, but I wanted them to have a reprieve from that place.

"Can we get ice cream now?" Duncan asked.

"Sure. Let me grab Rae."

"Let me know if you want to play basketball again," Cooper said to Duncan.

"I don't know if that's possible," I said, not wanting Cooper to infiltrate my life any more than he already had.

"Please?" Duncan asked, and I sighed.

Why did Cooper want to get involved?

I hoped he didn't disappoint my brother. "I'll let you know the next time we're here."

Cooper nodded. "I'll see you next time, buddy."

Duncan hugged me quickly and ran off, calling over his shoulder. "I'll get Rae."

"You didn't have to do that," I said to Cooper who wiped the sweat from his forehead, then his chest. His pecs flexed, and I sighed.

"Duncan seemed to want me to play with him."

"He doesn't have a father who's around," I reluctantly admitted.

"Sounds like he could use someone then."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "And exactly who is that?"

"A good man who wants to teach him how to play basketball." Cooper grabbed his bag and walked the path around the playground.

I rushed to keep up. "You couldn't possibly want to be the guy to do that."

He raised a brow. "And why is that?"

I searched for the answer but settled on the only one I knew. "You're busy, and we're not your responsibility."

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