Firefly Lane (Briar County 1)

But there was a new arcade with go-karts in Chelsea. Holden looked it up and saw that Chelsea was also in Briar County and about twenty-five minutes away.

He glanced at his phone. It was eleven. He shot a quick text to Vince, just a hi, talk to you later kind of thing, then stood to wake up his nephew. Just as he headed that way, the door opened and Sean stumbled out in shorts and a T-shirt. “Good. You’re up. I was just coming to wake you.”

“Oh,” Sean grunted. That was the extent of what Holden got. The kid went to the bathroom and closed the door.

Well, shit. This wasn’t going to be easy. Holden crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, waiting for Sean to come out. When he did, Holden nodded toward the table. “Sit down. I’d like to have a talk with you, man to man.” It was difficult because he didn’t know what landmines to avoid. Marilee still hadn’t given him the rundown of exactly what happened when Adam left.

Sean grumbled but went over, plopped in a chair, and folded his arms, pouting. “You don’t have to do this.”

Holden frowned as he joined him. “Do what?”

“Pretend you care. That you want to like, spend time with me or whatever. Mom used to always stick up for you—she and Dad would get into fights about you, but she always had your back. Dad said you were too busy living your own life to care about us. That you were some fancy pilot who didn’t care about anything but yourself. He said you cared more about having sex with all sorts of men than being there for your family.”

Somehow Holden managed not to flinch. Yeah, he was fucking pissed. Adam was such a goddamned bastard that Holden would probably get thrown in prison if he ever saw him again, because he wasn’t sure he would be able to hold himself back. But he wasn’t going to let Sean chase him away. It was exactly what the kid was doing—trying to run people off before they left him. Holden knew because he’d done the same thing when he was younger. “And you figure he’s right because he’s your daddy and you love him. Plus, I was never around, so he must be telling the truth.”

Sean shrugged. “If the shoe fits…”

“Aren’t you too young for that saying?”

“Huh?” Sean’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. He’d clearly expected Holden to argue with him.

“Listen…I said we were gonna talk man to man, and I meant it. I’ll tell you right now, I’ll probably fuck up sometimes. There’s a good chance I’m fucking up right now, but what I do know is I can sit here telling you until I’m blue in the face why your daddy was wrong and how much I care about you. Your mama? She’s always been the most important person in my life, and now you are too. The only way you’ll ever believe me is if I show you, not tell you. So why don’t we curb the anger for now? I don’t want to sit here fighting with you all day, wasting my breath and your time. How about you get dressed, we go grab some lunch, then head over to Chelsea and spend the afternoon at the arcade instead? That sounds like a whole lot more fun.”

Sean’s eyes widened, brightened, when he asked, “Really?” before he caught himself, maybe remembering he was supposed to be mad. “I heard it’s not that cool there.”

“I heard it’s not that cool there,” Holden mocked playfully. He was pretty sure he saw his nephew try to bite back a smile. “Well, why don’t we find out? Unless you’re too stubborn…or maybe you’re afraid I’ll kick your ass in all the games.” He wondered if he should curb the language. Holden had been pretty free with the word fuck, and now maybe butt would have been better, but hell, thirteen-year-olds probably heard worse in school.

“You wish,” Sean replied.

“Only one way to find out.”

“Whatever. I guess.” Sean tried to act flippant, but Holden saw the bounce in his step as he hurried to his bedroom.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Monroe

“Dad! Throw the ball!” Wyatt called. They were out front, playing football. Lindsey had come over too. She was eating dinner with them, then heading home. Wyatt was staying.

Roe tossed the ball for him right as he saw Holden’s car making its way down the driveway. He overthrew, and Wyatt grumbled, then teased him before running after it.

“I’m an old man. Cut me some slack!” Roe responded.

“So old,” Lindsey added.

He glanced over to see Holden, Sean, and Marilee get out of his car. He’d been there a few days now, but he and Roe hadn’t spoken again. He’d seen him and Sean coming and going together, so hopefully the two of them were getting to know each other.