Page 58 of A Million To Fall

I look at him. “Wait. Do you work here because of them?”

He nods once. “They were coming here after school, and then their last foster told me she had signed them up for the summer program.”

Boston’s mention of Cassie and Bronx’s “last foster” doesn’t go unnoticed. Their mom got arrested three months ago and already they’re getting shuffled through the system.

He shrugs. “So when I got back to Stillwater, I applied to work here part-time. Gets me access to them.”

My heart hurts. Because suddenly I understand why he’s here of all places. Why Bronx shadows him and Cassie watches him like he hung the moon. It’s not just a job for him. It’s his way of making sure Cassie and Bronx are okay.

“Oh, Boss, this—” Before I can finish my sentence, my phone starts ringing.

Boston’s eyes flick to my jeans. “Is… is that a storm siren?”

I smile sheepishly. “It’s Archer’s ring tone.”

“I bet you don’t miss any of his calls with that sound.”

“I try not to,” I say quickly, then answer the call. “Hey Arch.”

“Hey baby. You’re not on your way home yet?” Archer’s voice comes through.

“About to get in my car.”

“What was the hold-up? I thought you were going to be on the road like fifteen minutes ago,” he says, not quite accusatory, but not quite relaxed, either.

“No hold-up. I just had to wait until all the kids were signed out.”

“Are you there all by yourself?”

I glance at Boston who’s staring at the cracked asphalt, probably pretending not to listen. “No. Boss is still here. About to head out, too.”

Silence. Then, “Right. Well, we’re still on for dinner, right?”

I nod to myself. “Just need to stop by the office and drop off the clipboard, then I’ll be on my way. Would love to hop in your pool really quick.”

A low chuckle echoes through the phone. “No problem. Clothing optional.”

“Your mom would so not appreciate that.”

“My mom’s been wine-drunk since one o’clock. She wouldn’t care,” Archer says. “Hell, she might join you.”

Now that’s an image I do not need. “And on that note, I’ll end this call and get on the road.”

He laughs. “Alright. See you in twenty?”

“Something like that.”

“Don’t make me wait, Skye.”

I slide my phone back into my pocket. “I’m sorry, Boss, I gotta—”

“No worries,” he says, giving me a genuine, if tired, smile. “I’ll see you next week. Have fun in the pool.”

I smile back even though, for some reason, it feels too soon to say goodbye.

twenty-two

Skye