The Summer of No Attachments (The Summer Friends #2) - Lori Foster Page 0,48

and trees and wondering if he’d done the right thing, said the right words.

Give Justin up? Never, not under any circumstances.

“Hey.” Lang slipped through the sliding doors and joined him at the rail. After a second or two, he asked, “You okay?”

“I am,” Corbin said, though he wasn’t. Not really. Finally he admitted, “Justin’s worries are my own. What if Darcie changes her mind?”

“She signed over her rights to you.”

Yes, thank God. Legally, she didn’t have a leg to stand on. But morally, did it matter? She was his mother. Darcie and Justin had a ten-year history that Corbin couldn’t just ignore. “I wouldn’t let Justin go, so don’t misunderstand. If I had to, I’d fight her in court.”

“And we’d win,” Lang said, letting Corbin know he wouldn’t be fighting alone.

“He’s mine and I’m keeping him.”

Quietly, Lang said, “I know.”

“But that doesn’t mean Darcie won’t want time with him...or that he might eventually want time with her.” Growing tension knotted the muscles of his neck. His hands fisted on the railing. “I’d understand if she did, if he did, but Jesus, it scares me. Knowing what I know now, how could I ever trust her?” Darcie had kept his son from him, and when Justin became too inconvenient, she’d dropped him off like an unwanted pet. She’d seemed high that day, a little unstable, definitely uncaring. Now he kept wondering...what else might she do? If it suited her, would she try to take off with Justin?

Lang put an understanding hand on Corbin’s shoulder.

“She has the ability to hurt him so much.” Corbin closed his eyes. “It’s taken a little while, but now he’s happy more often than not. He no longer watches me like he’s expecting the worst. He’s acting like a little kid again.”

“And she could disrupt all that.”

Corbin’s mouth tightened. “Yes.”

Lang turned so that his back was to the railing and he faced Corbin. “I want to ask you something, and I don’t want you to hold back.”

“Have I ever?”

“No, but you’ve also never been a dad.”

“True enough.” Somewhere on the lake, a splash sounded. Bugs darted in and out of the floodlight beams. Clouds rolled over the moon, then cleared again. “Let’s hear it.”

Lang drew a breath. “I’d like to hang around a while.”

That was supposed to be news? “I already figured you would.” Justin was a huge lure for Uncle Lang, but Corbin knew it was more than that, too. His brother worried for him and wanted to be supportive. Plus he was growing closer to Hope every day.

Lang held up a hand. “Yeah, but I mean, I’d like to stay here. Not necessarily in your house, though I’ve enjoyed it so far.”

Finally catching on, Corbin asked, “You’d relocate to Sunset permanently?” That shouldn’t have surprised him. Their mom was currently traveling with Hagan in the RV, but he knew as soon as she could, she’d show up, too. It was a nice thing to know that even if something happened to him, Justin would always be protected and cared for. His family would see to it.

Never again would his son be dependent on one troubled woman who, for whatever reasons, hadn’t been able to prioritize him.

“That kid’s already stolen my heart.” Lang looked out at the night. “But I worry about you, too. Yeah, I know, you can handle it.”

Corbin snorted. “Trust me, sometimes I’m completely lost.”

“Maybe. You wouldn’t be human otherwise. But damn, you’ve already impressed me so much.”

“I wish I could be as confident as you.” Lately it felt like he second-guessed his every decision.

“So would it be easier or harder to have me around?” Lang met his gaze. “I want to be here, for you and Justin both, but only if it’ll help and not hinder.”

“It helps,” Corbin assured him. “Like tonight...” He shook his head. “I was floundering, man. I wanted to just hug him, but I didn’t want to be dismissive of his concerns.”

“He’s only ten, Corbin.”

“Ten and with the weight of the world on his shoulders. That was the other problem. How to respect his question without over-answering it. I didn’t want to bring up court or responsibilities or any of the adult things he shouldn’t have to worry about it.” He gave Lang a grateful look. “Showing up when you did helped drag me out of the emotional quicksand, if you know what I mean.”

“I was drowning in it myself, so I get it.”

“Good. Then feel free to hang around as long as you like. The house is