never seemed lonely. I thought he only wanted you because you had Carina. Then I saw the way you looked, and I thought he just wanted your body. But he seems a different kind of happy now. Like he has something he always wanted, and I just never knew he was missing out.”
“I love your dad so much. Maybe that seems obvious, but I’ve never loved anyone like I do him. I’m probably not always acting right. Just know, I would never hurt Bronco, Sidonie, or you.”
Nodding, Summer looks around. “I never saw Dad act like he did after I got hurt. He seemed older, scared, weak. I don’t like that side of him. It makes me scared. I know his strong side is why I got hurt, though. It’s confusing like you said about your mom.”
“I wish I could say talking to him would help, but it probably would make you both feel worse. Like dredge up those feelings, make them raw again. That’s another reason I wouldn’t tell him. Sometimes, the past just needs to stay where it’s at. You’re working toward a goal with college. Your dad wants you to have your dream. Right now, you’re both focused on that future.”
Nodding, Summer gives me a little smile. We start walking again, and I feel our connection even if we don’t talk much of the rest of the walk.
There’s an understanding between us now, though. We’re willing to keep our secrets from parents we both resent and want to protect. But mostly, I feel as if Summer knows I’m on her side. I don’t have to be her mom or even her friend, but I can be an ally.
With the way she reacts whenever people get too friendly during the walk, I sense her keeping me safe. She doesn’t care if my fears are silly. She’s just watching out for me like I want to do for her.
By the time we return home, that new bond between Summer and me becomes clear. She even lets me add a few braids in her hair to match those Sidonie and Desi wear. She offers to call in our dinner order since I’m still new at running stuff. Then she even asks to hold Carina as I get the meals organized after they’re delivered.
While I might be overwhelmed with my new life in Elko, loving the people in this house always proves to be a breeze.
BRONCO
My evening at Rooster’s is a shitshow. Wyatt gets into a shoving match with Conor over some imaginary problem. Like usual, Bambi’s kid throws the first punch, and Barbie’s throws the last one. Rooster finally has to drag his boy away to get his “head on straight.”
Then there’s Anders, who remains on edge. I finally take him in a side room with Lowell and flat-out ask if he’s using again.
“Do I look strung out?” he asks, scowling down at me.
“No, you look clean, but you’re acting like a man with a secret. Considering how we met, I can’t have secrets between us.”
The large man starts to defend himself or explain his recent behavior but then clams up instead. I glance at Lowell, who wears his poker face.
“Is it money?” I ask Anders.
“No. I have a house and a bike paid in full. What do I need money for?”
“A woman, then?”
That’s when Anders’s blue eyes flicker with an emotion I can’t read. I know he hasn’t been hooking up with the bunnies for the last few weeks. Bambi keeps track of who is doing who. Anders’s dick has been bunny-free for longer than mine. If a woman is why I stopped fucking the club girls, I imagine he has the same reason.
“Is she local?”
“It’s nothing. I mean, not serious. Not even involving fucking.”
After giving Lowell a quick glance, I focus back on the giant blond in front of me. “Is there a reason you’re not sharing her name?”
“I don’t want anyone thinking she’s important.”
“But you’re acting as if she’s important.”
“No, I’m just... I like her, is all. I haven’t liked a woman before, and I worry about caring too much about stuff. You know how emotions can be dangerous.”
Trying to see past his babble better suited for a teenage boy, I ask, “So that’s why you’re on edge? You’re being careful not to relapse?”
Anders nods, but I know he’s lying. Lowell does too, but we can’t jump on the giant and beat the truth out of him. Anders was a heroin addict that nearly died during withdrawal.