Chapter 24

He’d learned his lesson, mind. And Dad hadn’t been without mercy; Jason had eventually ferried them both into Dad’s room at two in the morning, and Dad usually would have issued stern instructions to go back to their own beds. That privilege had been revoked when Shane had turned six, because he was too old to need to come to his parents during the night anymore. But that night—just for one night—Dad had been kind and comforting, and he’d let them both cuddle up for a little while.

Shane bit his lip, the memory a bittersweet one, and curled both hands into the sheets.

“C’mon, kid, you gonna tell me or am I gonna have to guess?” Dad asked.

Shane eyed him, the father who was both so strict and—every now and then—so relaxed, and exhaled shakily. “I, um.”

“You gotten in trouble?”

“No.”

“You got someone pregnant?”

“No!”

“Are you telling me before someone else can?”

“Uh, no.”