Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
We smiled at each other. I felt eyes on me, so I looked at Lawson and Remy to see them watching us.
Knox cleared his throat. “You guys wanna stay for dinner later? Shit. Family thing. I forgot.”
Yeah, because this wasn’t awkward at all. It shouldn’t be. There was no reason for it to be, but it most definitely was.
Frankie Blue, Logan, and Bear all came running for us then. We laughed and talked about random stuff. Mostly they laughed and talked and I watched, feeling a little out of place.
Law and Remy were nice, though, and the awkwardness seemed to fade away. It was only about twenty minutes later when they said they had to head out.
“We need to hang out soon, brother,” Law said, clapping Knox on the arm. “We’ve both been busy.”
“Yeah, we will. Thanks for bringing Bear over.”
They said their goodbyes, and the three of them left. Knox acted completely normal, turning to look at Logan and me. “You guys ready to get this knocked out or what?”
“Let’s do it!” Logan replied. “It’s kinda fun, huh, Callum?”
I grinned at him. “It’s lots of fun,” I said, meaning it.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Knox
“Are you excited for the class?” I asked Logan as we drove to Safe Haven, Kellan’s art studio. I’d called a few days before to register for one of the classes, using the gift certificate Callum had given us. Logan had gotten his stitches out today, though it hadn’t been Callum to do it, and now we were having a night out.
“I’m excited to beat you at something,” Logan teased, looking over at me. His dark, floppy hair needed a cut.
“Oh, I see how you are. It’s all about beating your old man, huh? You’re better than me at lots of things.”
“Yeah, sure. Whatever.”
“Okay, I’m making a list. First—”
“Oh my God, Dad. Please don’t. I shouldn’t have said anything. Yeah, I’m stoked for the class. I like to paint.”
I nodded, but I really didn’t want to let it go. Logan didn’t seem to do well with compliments from me. When Callum and I spoke about it, he hammered home the fact that it was because I was his dad. It was easier to believe from someone like Callum, and Logan did believe him more, because like he’d said, he thought I had to say those things.
Not for the first time, it struck me how good Callum was at this kind of thing. Did he want kids of his own one day? He would be a great dad. He was making this whole transition a hell of a lot smoother for both Logan and me. It was strange. I couldn’t quite figure out how it happened, what made us fall into this easy friendship and what made Logan connect with him, but I was thankful. I liked spending time with him. It was…different.
I pulled into one of the parking spots across the street from Kellan’s studio. Logan and I got out, crossed, and went inside. A couple of people were already there, one of them a boy about Logan’s age. He had red hair, was a little taller than Logan, and looked over at him and waved. Logan returned it.
“Do you know him from school?”
“No. I don’t recognize him.”
“Hey! You guys made it! I’m so excited to have you in my class today.” Kellan nodded for us to go through the short, swinging counter door so we could join them in the studio area. “What’s up, Logan? We’re all so happy you’re living here now.”
“Thanks,” Logan replied, then, “Whoa. Did you make that?” He pointed to a piece of pottery.
“I did.”
“That looks cool.”
“I’ll teach you sometime if you want.” Kellan winked at me, and I was so thankful. I was lucky to have such great friends.
“That’d be awesome. Can I, Dad?” Logan looked up at me.
“Yeah, buddy. Of course.”
“Ooh, that’s cool! I want to learn it too,” the redheaded boy said.
Kellan called him over. “How about I introduce you guys? Logan, this is Dale. Dale, meet Logan.”
They said hi to each other, Logan’s a little softer and more insecure. Dale didn’t seem to have that problem. He said, “That’s cool that we both like art. Do you like video games too?”
Then they were chatting about games and levels, and I thought maybe for the first time since Logan came to live with me, I breathed a little easier. Christ, I wanted this for him. Wanted him to have a friend.
Logan and I went over and sat on the stools beside Dale and a pretty woman with strawberry-blonde hair and these big blue eyes, who I assumed was his mom.
“Hi, I’m Amanda.”
I shook her hand. “Knox, nice to meet you.” I didn’t recognize her, but I figured I couldn’t know everyone in town.
Dale and Logan were still chatting, Dale pointing at his easel.