Sworn to Protect by Jo Davis Page A

quite a bit before he got anything right.
    That afternoon, he headed for Drew’s room, determined to pry him out for a while. He had to keep the lines of communication open, whether the boy wanted to talk or not.
    At the closed door, he rapped twice, and was met with a muffled “Come in.”
    Stepping inside, he saw Drew perched on the padded window seat, arms around his knees. His gaze was fixed into the distance, perhaps studying the bare trees dotting his property or the lazy Cumberland beyond. He turned his head to look at Shane, eyes dry. And terribly blank. That void scared Shane a lot more than the outward grief.
    Crossing the room, he sat on the edge of the bed close to his godson. “Been awake long?”
    “Yeah. Couldn’t sleep anymore.”
    “Feel like taking a walk?”
    “Not really.”
    “Please?”
    The boy studied him for a long moment, then shrugged. “Fine.”
    Grateful to have won even this slight measure of ground, Shane stood. “Come on, let’s get our coats.”
    Once they were zipped up, Shane led them out through the sliding glass door that opened onto the large back deck. When the weather warmed up, he’d have the guys from the station over, grill some burgers. Maybe Drew would’ve made some new friends by then. He hoped.
    As they picked their way slowly down the trail leading to the riverbank, Shane struggled over how to broach the subject. But it was Drew who broke the ice.
    “When do I have to go back to school?” He frowned. “And who’s gonna take me if I’m staying here?”
    “That’s one thing I need to talk to you about,” Shane hedged. “I live and work here, and since this will be your home now, too, it makes more sense for you to attend school in Sugarland.”
    Drew stopped walking and gaped at him. “Here? In Hicksville, USA?”
    Here we go.
“Sugarland is a nice city. You’ve always seemed to love it here.”
    “Yeah, to visit.” His voice rose. “What about my friends?”
    “They’re welcome to come see you, and vice versa. In the meantime, you’ll make new ones.” He hated the placating parental tone of his own voice. Seemed that came naturally, no matter how much of a novice you were.
    “I wouldn’t need to if you’d just move in to Dad’s house! It’s my home!” the kid almost shouted.
    “I know it is,” Shane said evenly. “But living there isn’t going to be feasible for the two of us.”
    “Why not?” Drew shook his head, becoming more upset. “It’s, like, seven thousand square feet! We could go for freakin’ days without seein’ each other!”
    “That’s part of the problem, son—”
    “I am
not
your son!” he yelled, jabbing his finger in Shane’s face. “You’re not my dad!”
    “I know that.”
Deep breaths. You expected this, and you can handle it.
“I’m your friend . . . your mentor. But I’m also an adult, your legal guardian, and I have to do what I think is best for you.”
    “Even if I fuckin’ hate it,” the teen spat.
    “Even if you fuckin’ hate it.” That got the boy’s attention, and he visibly struggled with his emotions. Shane softened his voice. “I know this is hard on you, so many changes at once. But I’m hoping you’ll meet me halfway.”
    The kid tried to stare him down, but it obviously didn’t take him long to realize that tactic wasn’t going to work on a cop.
    “Whatever.” Drew kicked angrily at a rock, scowling. “It’s not like I have that many friends at the academy anyhow.”
    That surprised him. “Why do you say that?”
    “Those rich asswipes mostly just care about who’s who, you know? I know they only like me because I’m Brad Cooper’s son.”
    “That’s pretty cynical for a guy your age.”
    Again with the shrug. They were going to have to work on that.
    “You never said when I have to start school.”
    “I’ve been giving that some thought,” he said carefully. “This week is going to be rough for both of us, with the funeral and getting you moved. I think