Page 27 (1/2)

"You’re right about the schedule," Jack told the teen "For walking and everything else" He glanced around at his house "I don’t think we should be leaving five active dogs home alone" Another complication, compliments of Larissa Yet he wasn’t the least bit upset How could he be after yesterday?

There would be hell to pay later for all that He was sure of it But whatever the price, his twenty-four hours with her had been worth it He’d enjoyed every second of his time with her The sex had been incredible, but it had beenwith her in a way they hadn’t before About being with her

For a second he allowed himself to wonder what if What if he could be like everyone else? What if he illing to believe? Foolish questions Because he wasn’t He’d lost Lucas and on the heels of that, his parents had gone away They’d told hi their own consciences They hadn’t wanted to know their only living son needed theh had been stronger than their love for hiic But he couldn’t forgive and he sure as hell couldn’t forget

He’d vowed never to care that deeply again, and he hadn’t With Taryn, he’d liked her a lot, but there hadn’t been love Not beyond friendship When she’d turned up pregnant, he’d known he was going to have to suck it up and give his heart to their baby He’d been willing to take the risk But then she’d ood life, he reminded himself People he cared about and who cared about him The relationships he had these days were safe They would last There wasn’t anything on the line so there wasn’t anything to lose

Percy got up "I’ll be right back," he said and headed up the stairs Two of the dogs opened their eyes and watched hio, but they didn’t ave it to Jack and sat on the sofa

"I read it," he said, both proud and shy "The whole thing Kenny’s been working with raht I think I can do it I want to get lad Congratulations on finishing the book Let et the to work real hard, Jack You’ve given e of it"

"I’e And I knohat I want to do while I’roan Percy looked eager as he spoke Excited Jack had a bad idea he knehere this was going It made sense He was around the three of thelamorous side of the sport But to play football professionally?

He studied the kid ih and he hadn’t been working on his skill set With a lot of coaching e, but his odds of going pro were about zero That required a gift froods and Percy hadn’t been chosen At least not as far as Jack could tell

He would let hih some drills so he could see how ame with UCLA or Stanford, Percy could see as expected of a--

"I want to study to be a teacher I want to help kids like h the cracks and are sent on to the next grade, even though they’re not ready"

Jack stared at him "A teacher?"

"Uh-huh"

Jack started to smile If Larissa were here, she would take this moment to point out that despite his best efforts, he wasn’t at the center of the universe every single reat," he told Percy "I think you’ll be a terrific teacher" There was more to discuss Like the fact that he should start at a coe to build up his study habits in a less competitive environment And that Jack wanted to make sure they found the best four-year for hioal," he told Percy "That’s how all greatness begins"

"Kenny says it’s all about funda kind of good about hi with Percy Was this why Larissa did it? For the sense of acco she’d made a real difference? He had to admit, he liked it

The front door opened and Kenny walked in

Percy grinned "We were just talking about you I was telling Jack what you said about fundamentals"

Jack watched his friend approach and saw the blood in the other , he had the brief thought that word traveled fast Then a fist flew into his face and the world went dark

"NOTHING’S BROKEN," KENNY grumbled as he put ice into a dish towel

Jack sat at the kitchen table and carefully felt his face His friend was right All the bones felt as they had before There elling, but that would go doith tiht hand as if it hurt him One fact the ht scenes--it hurt as much to hit as be hit

Percy hovered in the entrance to the kitchen "I don’t understand," he said for fourth time "You’re not mad at each other"

"I was hting doesn’t acco," Percy told him

Jack took the offered ice and put it on his jaw "There wasn’t a fight I was hit There’s a difference"

Five chiweenies danced in the kitchen, trying hard to trip anyone standing Jack was grateful to be in the chair His face hurt and he kneas going to get worse before it got better

Percy looked between the twoto tell me what that was about, are you?"

"Nope," Kenny said

"So I should go upstairs?"

"Probably a good idea," Jack told him

"Whatever," Percy muttered and left

The chiweenies ith hi all five of the out to music he was too old to understand

When they were alone, Kenny took the chair opposite Jack’s and sat down

"You had to sleep with her I warned you to leave her alone, that she was family But you did it, anyway"

Jack was torn On the one hand, he was glad Larissa had soet hit in the face again

"We’re both adults"

"She’s like a sister toan adult" Kenny’sto break her heart"

"She wants to get over lared at him "Don’t try that bullshit onit worse This is going to end badly for all of us Have you thought about that? The consequences? You could destroy e have"

Jack hadn’t thought about that, nor did he want to "I care about her I won’t hurt her" But even as he said the words, he wondered if he was lying Because he couldn’t give Larissa what she wanted Or if he could, he wouldn’t Because he wouldn’t take the risk