Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
He grinned. “All the firepower of BAM and ABC claiming Evan as one of ours? Absolutely. I think the little fuckers will think twice about bullying anyone.”
“Ronan,” Bentley hissed. “We’re in a school, for heaven’s sake. With kids. Watch the language.”
“If my dad can do it, so can I,” he protested. “Besides, there’re no kids around.”
“Evan is here,” I pointed out dryly.
“Evan isn’t a kid. He’s family,” Ronan stated firmly, erasing any lingering doubt I had left about our place in his life.
He was all in.
And so was I.
* * *
Ronan took Evan and me to lunch. Liam and Paige disappeared together, and I didn’t ask where they were headed. She deserved a little alone time with him.
Evan sat with Ronan, talking to him, thanking him.
“How did you do this?” I asked.
Ronan smiled. “I contacted Mr. Humphries. Told him who I was and that we wanted to come in and talk to his class. He asked if we’d talk to everyone that he taught since they were all learning about green building and the future. I told him to open it to anyone at the school he wanted, but it had to be fast. He arranged it. I talked to my dad, and he got everyone on board.” He shrugged. “Simple.”
I laughed. “Yes, so simple.”
He leaned forward, his hand on Evan’s shoulder. “It’s not going to solve everything. I know school is almost done for the year, but maybe they’ll think about it over the summer. Come back as decent little humans instead of little shits that like to kick out the crutches of someone struggling. Maybe they’ll think twice before they knock someone down.”
“Maybe they’ll help someone up,” Evan added.
Ronan high-fived him. “That’s the plan.”
I smiled watching them. “What your family did was incredible.”
Ronan met my eyes. “They did it for me. For you and Evan. Because they know how much you both mean to me.”
My throat felt thick, and I could only nod.
Ronan turned to Evan. “I saw your girl. She’s cute. I like the red hair.”
I had spoken with Jenny too. She was a sweet girl, too thin and too serious, but I knew how much Evan liked her. I had a feeling the serious part was due to her life, not her personality.
“What does her mother do?” Ronan asked. “Do you know?”
“She works at a hotel. She works until six every day.” Evan looked sad. “Jenny is alone until she gets home.”
I frowned. “You never mentioned that before, Evan.”
“You have enough to deal with,” he said. “I can’t go home with her because I can’t walk home after. She can’t come with me because she can’t go on the bus.” He shrugged. “Telling you wouldn’t help because I know you’d only worry.”
“What will she do all summer?” Ronan asked.
“Last summer, she stayed home most of the time. She walked to the park sometimes, but her mom was always worried. She went to a couple of free camps, but otherwise, she was on her own.”
“Maybe we can do something this year,” I told him. “We can help. I’ll call her mom.”
“That would be awesome.” He looked at the clock. “I have to get back to school.”
Ronan grabbed the bill. “Okay, bud. Gimme a minute.”
Evan watched him walk away. “He is the best guy, Beth. We’re so lucky.”
“Yeah, we are.”
* * *
After we dropped Evan back at school, Ronan glanced at his watch. “You have a couple of hours until you have to be at work. Are you wanting to go home, or can I keep you?”
“You can keep me if you want.”
“Awesome.”
He drove us to his condo, leaving me in the living room as he went to change. I looked outside at the people on the street below, rushing to get somewhere. To work, home, errands, appointments. The city always seemed busy. I sighed, suddenly tired as the day and the emotions hit me. What Ronan and his family had done for Evan. What a difference Ronan made in my life. Our lives. Evan adored him. He was right. We were incredibly lucky. He gave so much.
What did I have to offer him in return?
Ronan wrapped his arms around me, pulling me back to his chest.
“What are you thinking about? You look so serious.”
“What you did today, Ronan… How can I ever repay you?”
He stiffened. “I don’t expect payment, Beth. That’s not how this works.”
“I can’t compete. I can’t do what you do. You belong to this huge, wonderful family.” I was horrified to feel tears filling my eyes. “Why do you love me? I’m a poor, struggling student with way too many responsibilities. I can barely keep up, and you just keep being more amazing.” I sniffled. “I don’t know where I belong,” I added quietly.
He hugged me back, sitting on his chair and keeping me locked tight to his chest.