Page 20 of The Pilot

“Understandable,” Linc agreed. “But speaking of school . . . do we need to talk about Kash and present-day mean girls and bullies?”

Harper sighed.

“I’m not saying this next thing to be cruel . . . but the first time you and your friends called me Rinky-Dink Linc was when I was in the seventh grade.”

Harper winced and turned away from him. But since it was dark outside and there were lights on in the house, Linc could see her unhappy reflection in the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“He’s skinny, Harper. Sticks out like a sore thumb with his red hair. And that’s not even including the fact that he’s into science, is a member of the robotics club. He’s also new to the area. To the school. If he’s not being bullied, I’d be shocked.”

“I think he is,” she admitted in a low tone. She had her arms wrapped around herself defensively. “But he won’t talk to me about it.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Get him to open up.”

She turned her head and met his gaze. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“Stop, Harper. Don’t go there. We’re starting new. From today. I admit it took me a few years to get over my anger at you and your friends, but anger serves no purpose now. I lived my life and you lived yours. Our paths have crossed again, and we’re starting over.”

“You’re being very gracious about this,” she said.

He shrugged. “I learned the hard way that life isn’t fair. That when push comes to shove, holding grudges is useless. You have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going, no matter what. It’s either that or lay down and die.”

How the conversation had turned so serious, Linc wasn’t sure. But he regretted steering it in the direction he had. The last thing he wanted was Harper asking about the accident that took his career and caused his less-than-restful nights.

“There’s not much we can do about the bullies, but we can make sure Kash knows we’re here if he wants to talk, and that he can rise above whatever shit they’re saying to him,” Linc said firmly.

Harper still looked uncomfortable, and Linc knew she was thinking about some of the things she and her girl posse had done and said to him. But he truly was over it.

Before tonight, he would’ve said there was no way he’d ever want to get friendly with Harper Bates. But now? With Kash’s help, he saw a completely different Harper. Insecure, tired but determined. He wanted to help her, almost as much as he wanted to help her son navigate the muddy waters of middle and high school.

For someone who’d never wanted kids, Linc found himself looking forward to spending more time with the preteen. To encouraging his love of science and seeing where his interests might take him. What kind of man he’d become.

Linc had a feeling he’d do amazing things with his life.

“I didn’t want to come home. Back here to Rockville,” Harper admitted. “Thought it was a failure. That everyone would see me as a failure. I mean, I didn’t exactly do anything I set out to do when I moved to New York.

“But you know what? I’m glad to be here. Even though my dad’s extremely hard to please and there was no way I could continue to live with him, I love him, and I’m glad to get to know him better as an adult. I think Kash can flourish here, more so than in New York, as long as he can find a good friend group and stay away from the bullies. And even though my job isn’t anything I wanted to be doing, I’m proud of myself.”

“You should be,” Linc told her. “I’m going to turn in. Make yourself at home. Watch TV, get a snack, do whatever you want in the house. You aren’t going to bother me.”

It was early, way too early for him to go to bed, but Linc was feeling the need to put some space between him and Harper. He didn’t like her body language, closed off and stressed. It was taking all his control not to take her in his arms and give her a huge hug. If anyone needed one, it was Harper Bates.

But he wasn’t going there. They were friends of a sort. That was it. She wasn’t his to soothe. Nor was he a shrink, even though Lord knew he’d seen his fair share over the last several years.

Linc had provided her and her son a safe place to land, to regroup, to get their bearings. She’d be leaving soon enough. He simply needed to be a good host until that time came.

“Okay. I’m not much of a TV watcher, I prefer to read,” she told him.

“Well, I’ve got a ton of books you can choose from. Not sure if they’re your genre or not, but you’re welcome to take your pick,” Linc told her, gesturing to the bookshelves on the far wall. “There are more in boxes in one of the rooms on the second floor. I’m happy to let you or Kash rummage through them.”

“Awesome.”

“Good night, Harper.”

“Night, Linc.”

Linc walked toward his bedroom, knowing he was going to be up most of the night because he wouldn’t be able to shut his brain off after everything that had happened today. Because of his change in circumstances.

At the last second, before he entered his room and shut the door, Linc found himself turning back toward the living room, and Harper.