Hostile(6)

My adult friend . . . But they haven’t pried too much about how we met, and for that, I’m thankful. But I know Blair . . .

“And maybe some furniture.”

I try not to get annoyed. I know she’s trying to help. She’s good like that. “Blair, I’m okay.”

She looks over at Rhys, who’s quiet, as usual. Guy doesn’t talk a lot, and I can appreciate that. “Okay . . .” She looks over the empty living room space and pulls her phone out. “I’m ordering you a couch at the very least. Consider it a housewarming present.”

Rhys nearly cracks a smile, which again—rare for him. Not that he’s an asshole or anything, but he’s just not one to smile very often. He was a foster kid once too, and he had it way worse than I did, so it’s understandable. He just shakes his head as Blair begins clicking on her phone and puts a strong hand on my shoulder. “Sorry, kid. You better just let her do it or she’s going to camp out here.”

I smile at that because I know she will. “Yeah. Okay.”

He looks around the small space. “Not bad.”

“Thanks.” We stand there in a silence that’s comfortable, side by side, as Blair shops online and, I’m sure, is buying way more than a couch.

Rhys leans in a little closer but still keeps his space. He has a mostly no-touching thing—and again, I’m okay with that. “You know you don’t have to move out just because you’re eighteen. We adopted you for life.”

I can’t look him in the eye. This man has done more for me than anyone who shared my DNA ever has. And whether he knows it or not yet, all I’ve done is be ungrateful and disloyal to him. “I know that.”

“But you still want out, huh?” He says this with a slight grin, not anger.

“I just . . .” I grip the back of my neck and try like hell to come up with some sort of explanation.

But before I can say anything, he does. “I get it. You just need to know, we’re right here. Any time you need us.” His powerful eyes lock on mine as he moves to stand in front of me. “You’re not alone.”

Fuck. Emotions threaten to escape. Feelings I can’t begin to understand overwhelm me as I nod my head at him, trying to silently tell him I understand what he’s saying. “Thank you. For everything.”

“This is not a good-bye, kid.”

I crack a smile at that and nod. “I know.”

“Besides, when you graduate, you have an apprenticeship waiting for you.” He’s actually really smiling now. It’s big and broad, full of pride, and I want to puke.

Because yeah—I do. But it’s just not at Rhys’s tattoo shop, the one he’s built and is thriving. Instead, it’s at a small little hole-in-the-wall shop I found on my own.

One where I accepted a job a week ago. One whose owner I’m renting this place from because, according to Kole, his employees are family, and if someone needs a place to breathe, he’ll give it.

But I’m too chickenshit to tell this to Rhys. To tell him that I won’t be working at his shop like he’s planned since he found out how much I love to draw.

I don’t have a chance to come up with an awkward reply because Blair moves to us, locking her phone with a smug, happy expression. “Okay. You’re going to get a delivery tomorrow. Don’t be mad. I love you.” She kisses my cheek, and I want to be mad. But even though I’m broken, I recognize this is what parents do. Real parents. They take care of their kids, and they worry.

“Thank you, Blair.”

She smiles happily at that. “So? Dinner?”

“I, uhhh . . .” Don’t want to eat dinner right now. I want to settle into my new place and bask in the quiet.

But I can’t say that. Thankfully, Rhys saves me. “Blair, let’s go. I’ll buy you dinner.”

“That’s what I was saying.” She looks at him pointedly, and Rhys wraps an arm around her.

“Let’s let him settle in. We’ll take him to dinner in a few days.”

Her eyes meet mine, then Rhys’s, and then she looks back to me before she huffs, “Fine. I’ll let you fly or whatever the fuck.” I chuckle at that, and so does Rhys. “But I hate it.”

I laugh again because I know she does. “Sorry.”

She cracks a smile and then pulls me into a big hug that I fight not to squirm out of too fast, and I let her hold me for a moment. “I love you. And no matter what, you can come back. Always. I don’t care if you’re eighteen or fucking thirty-seven and living in my basement. Or sixty. I don’t care.”

She finally releases me after squeezing me tight, and I nod my head at her, hoping to offer her some comfort because I know she’s anxious about this. “I know that, Blair. I really do. Thank you for everything, and I promise I’m okay.”

“You’re still in high school.”

“For three months.” But I wouldn’t be if it wouldn’t kill her if I dropped out.

“You better still eat right. And don’t be late. That school will still call me if you’re not there on time. Or I’ll call them.” Her manicured fingernail is shiny and catches my eye as she points at me. “I’ll hunt your ass down and stalk your life if I have to.”

Rhys pulls her to him by the waist. “She’s crazy.” He kisses her temple and then looks right at her. “We all know you’re crazy. You don’t have to lay it on so thick.”