Total pages in book: 198
Estimated words: 186242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 931(@200wpm)___ 745(@250wpm)___ 621(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 931(@200wpm)___ 745(@250wpm)___ 621(@300wpm)
“Like I told you, I don’t know what your situation is, what your background is, but I know Amos and I kind of know Rhodes. And Rhodes adores his kid, like a good father would. I know Am knows it but not the extent, because he doesn’t see the way his dad looks at him, but Rhodes keeps on trying even though they’re pretty much complete opposites except for having the exact glare and quietness.
“All I’m saying is, if you’re worried enough about what they think of you to ask me, I think you care. And if you care, then maybe you should put in some positive effort. You’re a grown man, you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t want to be, right?”
He said nothing.
He said nothing for a long, long time as we stood there looking at each other. Or at least trying to look at each other considering it was getting pretty dark outside and his dome light had finally turned off.
And when it had been so long, and he still got nothing else out, I figured—and more like hoped—he was thinking about what I’d said. But I still added, “We don’t get to choose who the people we love become or are, but we do get to pick if we want to stick around. If we want them to know that too, that they’re worth sticking around for. Anyway, I’ll see you around, Mr. Randall. Your son and grandson are pretty awesome. ’Night.”
It wasn’t until I was back upstairs that I realized what I had noticed but hadn’t been paying enough attention to.
I’d never actually heard the front door close when Amos and his dad had gone inside.
Rhodes had been standing at the doorway the whole time.
Chapter Nineteen
“Thank you so much. I’ll be there in a little while,” I said into my cell before hanging up.
Pure excitement shimmered through my veins as I started collecting my water and food for the day. I’d just finished slapping two sandwiches together when the sound of a car leaving drifted into the apartment, making me pause for a second. I wondered where they were going. Last night hadn’t been the worst time I’d ever spent, but it hadn’t been the best either.
Good luck to them.
I had just finished putting my things into my backpack when a loud knock came at the door followed by an “Ora!”
It was Am. “Come in!” I hollered back a split second before the door creaked open and the sound of his footsteps warned me he was coming up.
Sure enough, I’d just finished with the zipper when he huffed out, “Can I hang out here?”
I was already grinning when I looked up to find him clearing the landing, stomping over to the table. “Of course you can.” I paused and thought about it. “I thought you were supposed to be doing things with your grandpa today though.”
Amos blew out a breath before dropping into one of the chairs around the little table. “He left a second ago after he and Dad got into it.” He leaned forward and picked up one of the pieces to a puzzle I had barely begun putting together. “Dad’s all pissed off now, and I don’t wanna be around him.”
Ooh. What happened? I didn’t ask as I picked up my backpack and put it over my shoulder. “That sucks, Am. I’m sorry. I’m leaving, but do you want to come with me? If your dad will let you.”
He was still leaning over the puzzle. “Where are you going?”
“I’m renting a UTV.”
The teenager shook his head. “Nah.”
I shrugged. “All right then. Finish that puzzle if you want.”
Amos didn’t even glance up as he nodded, and I snickered on the way out, wondering what the hell had gone down with Rhodes and his dad. I had just opened the door outside when I spotted the figure rooting through the back seat of his work truck.
Would he . . . ?
“Hi, Rhodes!” I yelled.
The muscles in his back bunched before he stood up and leveled his gaze at me.
Yeah, Amos hadn’t been joking. He was in a bad mood.
Something that had to be affection nipped at my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile at him even as he scowled. Rhodes was pretty cute even while he was mad.
“Hi,” he replied, not moving an inch.
“I saw your dad left,” I said, approaching him.
He grunted.
What the hell had happened? “Am’s in the apartment . . .” He was so grumpy and maybe this wouldn’t be a good idea, but maybe it would. He’d pretty much hinted that he didn’t dislike me, so . . . “I was going to invite you to come with me, but I think I’m just going to tell you to come.”
Those thick eyelashes dropped over his purple-gray eyes.
I smiled, then tipped my head toward my car.