Firefly Lane (Briar County 1)

“If Gregory hurts me again, you should kick my ass. I have no business giving him that power.”

No, he shouldn’t. Gregory didn’t deserve it, but Holden had a feeling Vince would. He’d been in love with Gregory in ways the two of them had never felt.

“This place is good for you,” Vince said after a moment. “You’re different here. Freer.”

Holden lay back on the bed, legs still hanging over the side, and threw an arm over his face. Deep inside, he knew Vince was right, and he wasn’t sure what to do with that.

In the morning they went out to breakfast together, and then Holden drove him to the airport.

When he pulled up at the curb to drop him off, Vince said, “I still expect phone calls every few days, and I’m going to be dying for an update on you and Mister Sex On Legs.”

Holden laughed. He really was lucky to have Vince. He didn’t know what he’d done to deserve such a good friend, but he was thankful. “Be careful with Gregory, okay?” Holden didn’t trust him. Never had and never would.

“I haven’t decided if I’m giving him a second chance yet.”

He would. Holden knew it. Still, he nodded and said, “Well, if you do, take care of yourself.”

Vince kissed his cheek, jumped out of the car, grabbed his bag, and walked away. Holden watched him until he went inside before pulling away.

He drove straight to the cabin. Marilee was at work, which he was grateful for. He wanted the chance to talk with Sean on his own.

When he arrived, his nephew was in the kitchen, making a sandwich. “Hey, kid. You got a minute?”

Holden saw him shut down, physically saw the change in Sean, before he turned away. “If you’re going back early, that’s fine. It’s not a big deal. I don’t really care.”

Shit. Vince had been right. Holden wasn’t exactly sure how to go about fixing this. He wanted to reassure Sean but not lie to him. Holden owned an apartment and had a career, one he had seniority at, back in Atlanta. It was his home.

“I’m not going back early. I’m here until the end of the summer. I promise you. And even if you don’t care, I do. I’m gonna miss you like hell when I go. I don’t want to leave you any earlier than I have to.”

Sean didn’t answer. He got back to making his sandwich. Holden walked to the other side of the counter so he stood beside him.

“I’m going to prove to you that I’m not going anywhere. I know words don’t matter—actions do. When I go back home, it’s not because I want to get away from you. I’ll always come back. If you need anything, I’ll only be a phone call away. And I’d love to plan trips for you to come to Atlanta to see me, and maybe you can travel with me sometimes too.”

Sean’s head snapped up. “Really?” He looked at Holden, unable to hold back the flare of excitement in his eyes.

“Yes. I promise. I’m not gonna walk away and leave you. Ever.”

“But my dad—”

“Isn’t me. Atlanta is my home, but we’re still gonna be a big part of each other’s lives.”

“I don’t… I don’t want you to go. I thought maybe if you and Roe…”

Damned if another piece of Holden’s heart didn’t break off. The kid thought Holden would stay for Roe and not him. That explained his standoffishness toward Vince. He wanted Roe to get Holden to stay.

“Roe is a good friend of mine. I like him a lot, but we’re not anything more than that—just friends. And as much as I like Roe, I love you. You and your mama are the most important people in my life. Always. Nothing could ever change that.”

Sean nodded, looked down at his plate. “Why doesn’t he at least call me? My dad?”

Fuck, Holden hated the motherfucker. How could he hurt his own son this way? Hurt his wife the way he had? How could he walk away from Sean?

“I don’t know why he hasn’t, but that’s nothing on you. That’s a decision he made. It’s not your fault, and you deserve better.”

Sean swiped at a stray tear sliding down his face. “I’m not stupid. I know he wasn’t a good dad. He didn’t do things with me like Roe does with Wyatt or like…like you do with me, but he’s still my dad.”

The tears began to flow harder. Holden grabbed Sean, pulled him close, wrapped the boy in his arms. Sean cried into his torso, hugging Holden tight.

“Shh. It’s okay, kid. I’m here. I got you. I love you.”

Holden didn’t know what he was going to do, but he knew there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d ever let Sean down.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Monroe

Roe drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove the truckload of feed out to the farm. He wasn’t sure what time Vince’s flight left that day, or hell, if today was even the date. Holden hadn’t mentioned, and for all Roe knew, Vince would be there until tomorrow or even later.