the chest right now.”
“Murder?”
“Technically, it’s only classified as a homicide right now. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours. There’s a good chance he hasn’t been formally charged yet.”
“Sucks,” he mutters, lifting his feet to the coffee table. “Everyone has been ordered to the clubhouse. It’s like they’re closing ranks or something.”
“I imagine the situation is rocking everyone involved.”
“Landon isn’t involved, and if he’s the type of guy to defend a bad cop, I don’t know what to think about that.”
“Drew’s arrest doesn’t necessarily make him a bad cop.”
“If he wasn’t guilty, he wouldn’t have been arrested.”
“That’s not how it works, Rick.”
I’ve never had long conversations with my son about my job. Not only does he seem disinterested in police work, I think he’s a little scared to know full details about how dangerous it can actually be.
“The police arrest on probable cause. It’s up to a judge and jury to decide guilt.” I turn the volume on the television down all the way. “What we know is someone is dead and someone was arrested for it. We have to wait for more details before passing judgment.”
“That’s nearly impossible.”
“It is,” I agree.
“It sucks.”
“It sucks that your plans were canceled or—”
“It sucks that my best friend is going through something, and I can’t be there for him.”
“I’m sorry your plans were canceled, but I’m actually glad you’re here.”
He groans, sinking further into the sofa. “Please tell me we aren’t having a sex talk.”
“Not exactly.” I smile at his reluctance. “I do want to talk about Sophia.”
His mouth turns up in a grin, but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. There are a lot of things I know this young man needs to speak with me about. Many, I won’t push the issue on because I know those conversations need to happen at his own pace, but I can’t let Sophia be a subject that festers.
“How do you feel about her spending more time over here?”
He shrugs.
“I need a real answer.”
“She’s smoking hot, Dad. It’s not exactly a hardship to have her around.”
I take a deep breath, holding it in my lungs before releasing it on a whoosh. I’m not agitated or frustrated, but it’s clear he’s deflecting. I just have to figure out which parts are causing him concern.
“I find her extremely attractive as well.”
He snorts, his eyes still focused on the television even though I know he doesn’t have an ounce of interest in the evening news.
“I’m going to be spending a lot of time with her.” God willing. “I need you to tell me if you start feeling neglected.”
He snorts again. “Neglected? Come on, Dad. I’m nearly seventeen. I’m not going to complain about less attention. If anything, I’m going to love it.”
“And that’s another thing I worry about.”
“I’m responsible,” he grumbles.
“I know.”
We haven’t exactly struggled as I raised him because my parents were always around to help, but I tried my best not to lean on them too much. I’ve never looked at Rick like a burden or a mistake. His arrival just catapulted me into adulthood quicker than I had planned.
“This is a new situation for all of us.”
“I never told you not to date.”
“But the fact remains that I haven’t had anything serious with a woman in a very long time. It’s as new for me as it is for you.”
“You’ve been alone too long. I just want you to be happy.”
Would he find it weird if I hugged him right now? I stay sitting with my ass firmly planted on the couch, not wanting to ruin the moment.
“I’m happy when I’m with her.”
“I’ve noticed.” He chuckles, eyeing me from the side.
“I want you to know I’ve never been unhappy. Raising you has been my primary focus all of these years. I honestly never thought I’d get a chance at being happy with someone romantically.”
It’s been no secret that love and true affection weren’t in the cards where his mother was concerned. I’ve been as honest with him as his age and maturity level allowed when he had questions. My parents don’t bad mouth her, but we never put her on a pedestal she didn’t earn either.
“Sophia isn’t my mom,” he whispers, more pain in his voice than I think he even realizes.
I can’t imagine growing up without a mother, and although we haven’t talked much about her in recent years, I know he feels the loss of something he can never remember having. Landon’s parents are still together. So are Aaron’s. He seeks out friends that