Sworn to Protect by Jo Davis Page B

next week is soon enough.”
    “You’re not driving me, are you?”
    The question was edged with such teenage angst, he almost smiled. “I take it that would be too lame?”
    “Totally,” the boy agreed, rolling his eyes. “I usually take the shuttle from the academy.”
    “Well, I’m sure the school district has a bus run out here. I’ll check on the schedule this week.”
    “Or you could just let me get my driver’s license . . .”
    At the hopeful suggestion, he gave in to the smile that had threatened. “Not yet. Your dad and I specifically talked about this. I know he wanted you to finish your junior year, and getting your license depended on your grades.”
    “But
you’re
in charge now. Remember?”
    “That’s right. And because I am, I’m carrying out your dad’s wishes.” At the boy’s protest, he held up a hand. “You make good grades, then we’ll sign you up for a summer driver’s course, get your license, and see about getting you something to drive. Something affordable and sane.”
    “That sucks,” the teen grumbled.
    “That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”
    “Fine.”
    As they walked on, Shane felt a sense of accomplishment at winning rounds one and two. But deep down, he knew in his gut that had been much too easy. That feeling wasn’t going to last.
    This week would mark the start of the rest of their lives. Futures forever changed. These would be the hardest days Shane had endured since the deaths of his parents. For Drew, they’d be the worst ever endured in his young life.
    Shane knew the boy was still in shock, unable to grasp that his dad really was gone. Today’s conversation proved it—the boy was angry one minute, something approaching normal the next. He was struggling to make sense of a horrible, permanent hole in his heart.
    He just prayed he could catch Drew when he fell.
    •   •   •
     
    Daisy managed to stay away all day Saturday and Sunday. She probably would have stayed away indefinitely—if it hadn’t been for that kiss.
    The memory of it was inescapable, not that she’d tried to run. Though she should, far and fast. However, she couldn’t stop thinking of the naked vulnerability on Shane’s face before she’d left. The pain. That’s what lured her back now. The idea that Shane needed her, that he might not run this time.
    If she escaped making a fool of herself, it wouldn’t be for lack of trying.
    The late-afternoon sun was slanting through the trees, sending shadows across the yard. It would be dark soon, which was why she’d taken off a little early. In the winter, it always seemed later than it was.
    She rang the doorbell and waited. Voices could be heard inside from the TV, and there was a lingering aroma of something cooking. Then the door opened to reveal Drew, gazing at her, unsmiling.
    “Hey,” he said, stepping back. “Shane’s in the kitchen.”
    Then he turned and left her standing there, returning to flop on the sofa and grab the remote.
O-kay.
Seemed the kid was going to be a tough nut to crack. Maybe more so than his guardian.
    “Thanks.” Shouldering her purse, she walked to the kitchen, where Shane was stirring something in a pot on the stove.
    “Who was at the door?”
    “Me.”
    Whipping his head around, he smiled. “Oh, hey! Sit down. Would you like a beer?”
    “I’d love one, thanks.”
    Tapping the spoon on the edge of the pot, he laid it down and wiped his hands on a towel. Then he fished two bottles from the fridge, twisted the top off one, and handed it to her. “How were things in the trenches today?”
    “The usual,” she told him, then took a sip. “Two drug arrests at the high school, both of the kids sixteen. An assault—a dad who punched his daughter. Enough about that. How are you two holding up?”
    His expression sobered. “Not too well,” he said quietly, with a glance toward the living room. “He’s slowly shutting me out, becoming withdrawn. There’s a lot of anger,