Page 24 of Your Last First Kiss
“He’s not sick,” Kaiser yells. “He’s an alcoholic who’s ruining our lives.” The color drains from his face when his brain catches up with his mouth, and I watch, nauseous, as shame washes over him.
I know that shame. I lived it for too long.
“I’m not going to fire your mom,” Lochlan promises. “There isn’t anything he can say or do that will make me fire her. Okay? How did you get here?”
Lochlan peers at me over the top of the boy’s bowed head. It shows how defeated he feels. On a good day, he must be pushing six feet already, but standing here between Lochlan and me, he’s still a little boy trying to be the man of the house.
“I took the train. I know I’ll be grounded for it, but it was important. My dad came to the house this morning, and I wouldn’t let him drive Gage to school. He—we… There was an issue, and I knew he was coming here next. He wants mom’s paycheck or something.”
I search Lochlan’s eyes as he processes this information. He’s a good guy, but I don’t know if he’s had any experience with this type of thing.
He places both hands on Kaiser’s shoulders. “We don’t even issue paper checks anymore, Kai.” He keeps his tone gentle as he speaks. “You know my wife, Tilly?”
Kaiser’s shoulders shudder as he nods.
“Her father was also an alcoholic. I’ve heard her stories, but I’ve never lived them. I can only sympathize through her experience, but I will promise you, man to man, your mother’s job is safe.”
I can almost feel Kaiser’s eyes roll. When you spend your life being let down by the one man who is supposed to be your safety net, it’s hard to believe in a good one when they stand before you, making promises.
“Thanks,” Kaiser finally mutters. “I’m sorry about whatever he’s going to say down there, but I should go. If he finds me here, well, it won’t be good for anyone, and I need to get home. Gage isn’t old enough to be home alone yet, and I don’t know how long Landon’s appointment will go, so I need to get back before school gets out.”
“You didn’t have school?” Lochlan asks.
Kai looks away. “It’s exams week. My grades are high enough that I’m exempt from most of them, so I didn’t have to go in today.”
“Smart kid.” Lochlan gives him a warm smile.
I open my mouth to speak a word of praise, then promptly close it. Kids like Kaiser don’t take compliments from strangers to heart. It would fall on deaf ears. I need to earn his trust before inserting myself into his business.
Lochlan gives me a questioning look, and I incline my head. Whatever he’s asking, I’ll do it.
“You know that Nova is my sister, right?” he asks Kaiser.
Kaiser nods, but his brows pinch together. Lochlan appears to understand and takes a step back, giving the boy some space.
“Well, Dillon is business partners with her husband. You might have seen him at their house a couple of times?”
“Ashton?” Kaiser’s eyes light up, and a pang of jealousy stabs at my heart.
“Yeah. I guess you got pretty close to them before they left for LA, huh?”
“He’s crazy smart.”
“He is,” Lochlan agrees. “So, both Ashton and I can vouch for Dillon. Would it be okay if he drives you home while I talk with your dad? My wife would kill me if I let you get back on the train by yourself.”
Kaiser looks between Lochlan and me, but his eyes are a tiny bit less haunted. That counts as a win.
Holding up my hands, I smile. “I’m an excellent driver.”
The boy shrugs. “Sure. I’m already going to be in trouble. Getting in a car with an almost stranger can’t make things any worse.”
I chuckle. This kid probably has a great sense of humor when he’s not stressed out.
Holding up my hand in a small wave, I say, “I’m Dillon Henry. I’m thirty-nine years old. I’m a partner at Envision Securities, and I have coffee with your mom on Wednesdays. That, unfortunately, is the extent of my life. I’m kind of boring, but I’m not a stranger anymore, either. Loch and I will both put in a good word for leniency if you promise to never take off to the city like this without your mom’s permission again.”
Kaiser snorts. “Mister? You don’t know my mom as well as you think you do if you think anything will make her go easy on me after this.”
That causes a bark of laughter from both Lochlan and me. “Fair enough. I was raised by a mostly single mom too. She was tough because she had to be, but it made me a better man. Just remember, she does it all because she loves you.”
