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“Understood,” Josh replied He put an ar ood kid there”

I sht Also because I liked his arm around er did, but he had a good sense of hu

We fed all of the tickets on (and it see ht Then we spent another twenty onized over which tiny plastic rings or erasers to pick

The sun had set e finally walked outside The pizza place was in one of those striplot I looked over at the steak house longingly, still a little hungry—I’d only ed to choke down half a slice Josh burown-up ain?” I asked, co to a stop next towith his new treasures I looked up at Josh and smiled He smiled back, and I was struck by how cute he was Geeky cute, like Ryan

I could do a lot worse

“Depends on what the ansould be,” he replied, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind et shot down,” I said He leaned forward and kissed htly on the lips It was nice—not hot and intense, but pleasant

“Uncle Ruger!” Noah yelled, and I felt hi I pulled away froed I bolted after hinored er’s arms where he stood on the sidewalk outside the steak house

Several other guys from the club ith hi Noah’s chin so his eyes had toboy now”

“I’ot excited I wanted to show Uncle Ruger my prizes”

Shit, I’d been so worried about Noah, I wasn’t even thinking about Ruger I looked up to find hi across the lot

“Who’s your friend?” he asked, jerking his chin toward Josh, who gave us a halfhearted wave

“That’s Josh,” I said defiantly “He’s a friend of Kiether”

“He took us to Chuck E Cheese’s and we played tons of gah tickets to get what I really wanted so he said maybe we could come back another time and I said yes,” Noah told hier’s eyes hardened, and he set Noah down

“Stay here, kid,” he said Then he stepped out across the parking lot, obviously planning to intercept Josh Fuck

“Stay,” I said to Noah, then glanced up at Bam Bam “Will you ave a quick nod, but his eyes weren’t exactly friendly

Great

I scurried off toward Ruger and Josh

“Hey,” I said, looking between the with possessive menace Josh looked confused and a little uncertain “Josh, this is Noah’s uncle, Ruger Ruger, this isSorry about Noah bothering you”