Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 100588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
He answered in the same low voice. “His mom’s a prostitute. They lived with her pimp for a long time until the guy kicked Lucky out. Bennett found him on the streets and helped him find a good foster family.”
“You’re kidding?” I asked, not taking my eyes off the boys who were close to the top by now. I heard Aiden shift his weight.
“I wish I was. The kid hadn’t had a proper meal in weeks. He’d been scavenging and was on the verge of having to pick up the same profession as his mom if B hadn’t found him when he did. Makes me sick just thinking about it, and I know at least for a while it gave Bennett nightmares.”
My eyes briefly drifted to Lucky. He was so small and scrawny… I couldn’t even imagine what a life on the streets would have done to him. I’d already grown fond of the kid and even the idea of him having to sell himself to men…
I had to force myself not to look at Bennett. Despite all the shit between us, I felt a spark of pride knowing what he’d done for the boy.
“Did Lucky stay at the same school?” I asked, wondering if maybe part of the problem included Calvin and other guys at his same school.
“Yeah, that was one of the benefits of the foster family he ended up with. It was the least impact to his life. Same friends, same teachers.”
“That’s not always a good thing,” I suggested.
“On rappel,” Lucky called out from above.
I glanced at the kid, noticing the huge smile of accomplishment on his face from reaching the top of the small climb first. Calvin, on the other hand, was frowning. Typical bully. Couldn’t even enjoy the pleasure of his own accomplishment because he was too busy being all pissy about a kid he perceived as lesser beating him.
“Great job, guys,” I called out.
“Rappel when ready,” Aiden called to Lucky.
With the way Calvin was eyeing Lucky before he called out “On rappel,” I decided I would keep an eye out for Lucky as the week went by, especially when he was hanging around the larger boy. While I hadn’t faced any acts of violence from the kids at Bennett’s and my private high school, their cruel taunts had left wounds just the same.
When the next two climbers were roped in and on their ascent, I felt Aiden’s eyes on me.
“What?” I huffed. God, the guy just rubbed me wrong, and not just because he was fucking the man I wanted… the man who should’ve been mine.
“Jesus, you’re an ass,” he said.
“Seems to be a popular opinion around here,” I muttered, thinking of Bennett who’d taken some of the boys to a nearby creek to wash their hands and collect water for dinner prep.
“I don’t know what Bennett ever saw in you.”
I felt my jaw tighten and tried to concentrate on the kids above me. “Well, I sure as hell don’t get what he sees in you.”
Aiden barked out a laugh. “Really? C’mon, man. What’s not to love? I’m a catch. Tall, gorgeous, and rich as hell.”
If my teeth ground together any more, they might just break apart.
He continued. “Plus, my dick is fucking huuuu—”
“I get it,” I bit out. “Good for you.”
“And, god, he knows exactly what to do with it too,” Aiden drawled. “The man’s mouth is like—”
“Stop talking,” I spat. “Right fucking now.”
The asshole just laughed. “My, my, aren’t we touchy today? What’s the matter, Xander? Wish you could have a little taste of him too?”
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I’d had my tongue down his lover’s throat the night before, but I held back.
Just focus on the climbers, Xander. The kids.
I watched the boys and tried to enjoy the feeling of the warm sun on my back and the sound of the cool breeze teasing through the trees nearby. My head was spinning with thoughts, and all I wanted to do was take off into the mountains. Remove the climbing gear and walk away. Hike toward the cool blue water of Elk Lake and up the switchback trail to Fractured Pass.
But I knew I couldn’t. I owed it to Gary. His business depended on clients like Bennett and Aiden’s foundation, and he worked hard all winter to make sure those coveted summer spots were filled. I also owed it to these kids who obviously needed this trip out of the city they’d been stuck in their whole lives. And I owed it to myself to prove I was strong enough to handle all of the Bennett shit without breaking down. Guys like Bennett and Aiden had no control over me anymore.
I took a deep breath and let out more rope.
“So,” Aiden said in a cheerful tone, as if he hadn’t been deliberately baiting me a moment earlier. “Tell me about your friend Jake. Is he single?”