Dirty Thoughts - Megan Erickson Page 0,47

safety at risk.”

“Bill’s not going to like this.”

“I couldn’t give a fuck what Bill likes. He wants to come pry the kid out of my hands, he can fucking bring it.”

“The police—”

“Would love to hear about his drinking problem, I’m sure. You’ve done some low things in your life, Jill, but it’s the fucking lowest not to take this seriously. And thanks for the brother I never knew about.”

And then he ended the call.

He couldn’t stand to hear her make excuses for the husband she’d left his dad for.

Asher had his hands clenched on the table in front of him. He didn’t speak.

And Cal thought he was going to throw up. He’d just accepted the responsibility of taking care of a teenage boy. That was what he’d done, right? He replayed the conversation and glanced at Asher. Yep, that was what he’d done.

Cal was officially crazy.

But he wasn’t cruel. Asher was scared enough to run away, so Cal couldn’t send him right back to where he didn’t feel safe.

The bitch of it was that this was what Cal had worked for ten years to avoid. And now, here he was again, in the same position, with a kid named Asher who reminded him way too much of Max. Cal had fallen head over heels in love with little Max when he was born. He’d been a surprise to everyone. His mother had been pissed, having already checked out of their family, and his dad had been scared shitless. But Cal . . . well, he’d loved that fat baby more than anything.

He’d just laid into Jenna for his not wanting to be responsible for anyone or anything, and then Asher had showed up on his doorstop in a teenage package of irony.

Jesus. Fuck.

He threw his phone onto the countertop with a clatter. “I guess you’re staying here for a while.”

Asher’s expression was so hopeful, it nearly broke Cal’s heart. “A-are you sure?”

Not at all. “Yep. That woman is impossible.”

“D-do you remember her much? Before she left?”

“Yeah, I do. Brent sort of does. Max doesn’t remember her much at all.”

“Do you know why she left?”

Cal sat down across from Asher and took a sip of the water he’d left on the table. “I think she doesn’t know. She was a good mom for a while, and then she wasn’t, and then she left. It’s as simple and complicated as that. I think she might be a little selfish.”

“So she’s okay with me staying with you?”

“Well, I didn’t really give her much of a chance to protest, but she didn’t seem to have any intention of talking to your dad about his drinking. Until they can tell me you’ll be safe, I’m not taking you back to them.” Asher didn’t cheer or even smile. Cal understood the feeling. Although the kid wanted to stay, he most likely wanted his parents to give a shit that he wasn’t home. “Guess you’re stuck with me for a little while then, kid.”

Asher smiled then. “I think I can live with that.”

Chapter Fifteen

JENNA HEARD THE voices first and closed her eyes, the Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix box still clutched in her fists. She thought about hiding, but with her luck, she’d knock over a soup display or run over a little kid with her cart, so she stayed put as she waited for Cal and Asher to look up and see her in front of them at the grocery store.

She hadn’t given Delilah any details last night when she’d picked her up. And for once, Delilah had shut up and hadn’t asked too many questions. Jenna had gone home and nursed her wounds with a good book and a large glass of wine. Okay, two glasses. Okay, three-quarters of the bottle.

She rubbed her temples and then heard a “Jenna!” She lifted her gaze to see a grinning Asher walking toward her while a grumpy Cal leaned over the handle of the cart, steel eyes glowing from under the brim of his ball cap.

It reminded her of the night in his tow truck. She didn’t want to be reminded of that night in the tow truck. “Hey, Asher,” she said as the teenager drew close.

The kid looked tired but happy. “We’re grocery shopping because I’m staying with Cal for a while.”

She darted her gaze to Cal, who didn’t react. She looked back at Asher. “Why’s that?”

The kid talked to the brownie box in her hand rather than to her. “Cal called my mom and she didn’t .