Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 126602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
One, Sean was showing my brother support when he didn’t have to, and that meant a lot to me. And two, standing among the preppy lacrosse parents, Sean stood out. In a good way.
There were a lot of polo shirts over there.
After walking Eli over to the playground area where a bunch of other kids were playing, I headed for the field.
“Hey,” I said, coming up to stand beside Sean. “How’s it going? Are they winning?”
Arms pulled across his chest, Sean looked from the field down to me. “I got no idea what the fuck I’m watchin’,” he said.
I laughed. “Yeah, it’s a little different. Dom loves it, though.”
“He loves beatin’ the shit outta people.”
“What?”
I looked toward the field then, searched out Dominic’s number, and watched him run full speed at another player, drop his helmet to the other kid’s back, and level him.
I gasped. “Dominic! What are you doing?” I yelled as one of the refs blew a whistle.
“He ain’t allowed to do that?” Sean asked.
“Not like that, no,” I said. “I mean, they can check, but that was crazy.”
“He’s been doin’ that a lot.”
I looked up at Sean. “He has?”
Sean nodded, then put his attention back on the field. “Kid’s angry,” he said. “I don’t think he gives a fuck about playin’ right now. He’s out there to hurt.”
I watched Dominic walk up to another kid and knock his helmet into him. The kid wasn’t even doing anything.
A heavy breath escaped me. “It’s because of my dad,” I said. “Dominic’s watching that disease just…take him from us. And my dad, he’s this mountain. I know you look at me and think my parents are probably little, but Dad’s a big guy.” I looked up at Sean. “He’s so strong. Now, he has trouble tying his shoes and opening a pickle jar. It’s so sad to watch. I hate it. But Dom…he can’t be angry like this. He can’t hurt other people.”
A loud crack turned my head, and I watched Dominic stare down at a kid sprawled out on his back.
“Perkins!” one of the couches yelled. “One more time, and I’m pulling you! You hear me?”
Dominic didn’t even look up.
“I just don’t know how to help him,” I said to Sean. “He won’t talk to me.”
“Kid needs to let his anger out.”
“And how do you suggest he do that?”
I imagined duct-taping the couch cushions to my body and letting Dominic body slam me all over my apartment. I really didn’t want to do that.
Sean was silent for a minute, just kept watching the game. Then he rubbed at his mouth and smoothed out his beard before offering, “I got a wall in my house I’m tearing down, plus a few other things that need demolishing. Could use his help, if he’s interested.”
My brows lifted. “Really?”
There was surprise in my voice, but God, there shouldn’t have been. Why was I not expecting Sean’s help when he was constantly giving it lately?
Maybe it wasn’t the offer he was proposing that was so surprising. Maybe it was Sean himself.
He kept catching me off guard. I never expected anything from this man. Not anymore. I didn’t even think he liked me enough to be my friend.
“That’s…so nice of you,” I said, drawing his eyes off the field and down to me. “Do you think that’ll help him?”
“You ever put a hole in a wall?”
“Can’t say I have.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “It’ll help. Trust me.”
Huh. I was curious how Sean knew so much about this subject matter, but figured there was a better time and place for that discussion, so I didn’t inquire.
“He busy tomorrow?” Sean asked.
“No, thank God.” I laughed a little. “Sunday is the one day neither of my brothers have anything going on. No chance of me screwing anything up.”
Sean checked the time on his phone before stuffing it back in his front pocket, doing this while turning to face me. “Right. I gotta get going,” he said. “Let me know if he’s not feelin’ my offer; otherwise, I’ll pick him up tomorrow at nine. You gonna be around that afternoon?”
“I work two to close,” I told him. “I figured the boys could hang out at Whitecaps. Nate said it was fine.”
“I’m headin’ in at three, so I’ll bring him,” Sean offered.
“Okay.” I smiled up at him. “I’ll talk to Dom after the game and let you know ASAP.”
“Let me know whenever. No rush.”
“I’d rather give you notice, so I’ll let you know ASAP.”
Sean stared down at me.
I went from smiling up at him to grinning up at him, watching his expression tighten when I did that. “What?” I asked.
“You all right?”
“Just happy,” I answered, because again, thanks to Sean and his thoughtfulness, I was.
So, so happy.
His warm copper eyes moved over my face, then he repeated the need to get going, saying it a little hurried this time, muttered his goodbye, which consisted of his standard “Later,” walked between the parents seated in chairs, and sauntered through the grass away from the field.