Page 105 of Make Me Trust Again
I let my hands drop, my gaze lifting as Rose turns around. I’ve been so focused on her, I didn’t notice the front door opening.
Kyle is standing in the doorway with Shadow at his side, his face serious as he watches us.“He’s not coming.”
It’s not a question; that’s for damn sure.
If John O’Neil was here, I would gladly punch him in the face for putting that hollow expression on his son’s face. For making Rose cry.
“No, he’s not.”Rose shakes her head.“I’m sorry, Ky.”
I watch as he presses his lips together, trying so damn hard to keep a straight face. So much like his mother. He lowers his gaze and nods.
Rose goes to him and lifts his face so he can read her lips. “Hey, it’s fine. I’ll call Becky, and we can do something fun, just the two of us.”
Kyle pulls back.“We were supposed to go to the field. He said he’d play football with me.”
“We can do that.”
“It’s not the same.”Kyle shakes his head, his frustration and stubbornness evident in every hard line of his body.“Go to work. I want to be alone.”
There is a flash of hurt on Rose’s face, but she schools her features quickly. Kyle’s hurting, and he’s lashing out at the only person who’s still around.
He tries to walk away, but Rose wraps her fingers around his wrist and holds him back.“Well, you can’t stay home all by yourself, mister.”
Kyle lifts his hands to sign, but I’m faster.
“He can stay with me.”
The words slip out of my mouth before I can think them through properly, but now that they’re out in the open, there’s no going back.
Rose turns around to face me, her eyes wide. “What?”
I shift my attention from her to Kyle, who’s now watching me with narrowed eyes, trying to figure out what’s happening.
“Kyle can stay with me if you have to go to work,” I repeat, slower this time. There is surprise on his face as the realization sinks in.
Rose shakes her head. “You don’t have to do that. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“Not really.” I shrug, shifting my gaze to Kyle. “What do you say? Want to hang out with me?”
He lifts his shoulders, still pouting. “I guess.”
“Okay, go and grab what you need.”
Kyle nods and goes inside, Shadow at his heels.
Rose watches after him, a worried expression on her face. I press my hand against her shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze.
“He hates me.”
“He doesn’t hate you; he’s hurting. Just give him time.”
“I guess so.” Sighing, she turns around to face me. “Thank you for doing this. I’d take him to my parents’, but they’re out of town and?—”
“It’s not a problem.”
She chuckles, but there is no real amusement in the sound. “You should be careful, Chase.”
I quirk my brow in a silent question.
