Page 41 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

Finn’s day started early. Restless energy drove him out for a run at the crack of dawn.

Then he showered, dressed and swung by his jobsite to check in with Caleb before driving slowly past Lainey’s project. It was still locked up, and he hadn’t received any notices that someone had breached it.

Good. He wanted to be with Lainey when she met with the councilman this afternoon, but she’d been adamant that it was her project and she could handle it by herself. He respected that. Even though every protective instinct in his body said to be there, he backed off.

It was important for her to be in charge.

Later, he’d pick up Luke, and Finn hoped by then his gut would stop roiling.

Instead, he spent the morning at Titus Finch’s PushYourLimits Gym.

Titus took him into the ring, and they went one-on-one for a few sweaty rounds.

Then he joined a close combat class to keep his skills sharp.

It helped a little. But now the nerves were back.

Finn looked at his watch.

He had two hours. Two hours before he could pick up his—their son. It was exciting but also terrifying in a way he hadn’t expected. He’d been in firefights and hostage rescues with less adrenaline than this.

What was he supposed to bring?

He didn’t want to show up empty-handed. Nothing too big. Nor too small. Something Luke would remember. He noticed the boy had a ton of Lego, so that was out. He liked dragons and space. That helped.

Thankfully, he had a little time to come up with something that Luke would like.

So here he was two hours later, parked at Meadowbrook Elementary School, 3:08 sharp, leaning against the hood of his truck trying not to pace.

This was a new experience for him. He hadn’t been at an elementary school since … he was in elementary school.

The bell rang, the doors opened, and kids poured out, all laughing and talking at the same time. A lot of moms were clustered in one corner near the sidewalk. Guess they were walking home. The school buses were lined up at the other end of the parking lot.

Lainey’s house was too far from school for Luke to walk. Besides, she preferred to drive him. Especially since it was easier for her mother or the babysitter to pick Luke up.

Finn scanned the crowd. There were too many kids. All of them were about the same height, same energy as Luke.

There! He spotted him. Navy T-shirt with a dragon graphic and a backpack slung over one shoulder.

Luke waved the minute he saw him.

He made his way over cautiously. Even though Lainey said Luke was excited last night, maybe today was different. Kids changed their minds.

“Hey,” Finn said, keeping his tone light.

“Hi,” Luke replied in a small voice.

Finn crouched slightly to meet his eyes. “Are you uncomfortable with my picking you up? If you are, I can call your mom.”

If he said yes, Finn’s heart was going to break.

Luke shook his head. “No. I … I was just afraid you wouldn’t show up.”

Finn’s chest squeezed. He dropped to one knee.

“Luke,” he said. “I just found out I was a dad. A dad to you. A smart, funny boy who loves Lego, dragons and space. I meant what I said. I’m not going anywhere.

If I promise something, I keep it. I want to get to know you.

I want to be in your life. In your mom’s life. ” Finn let out a deep breath. “Okay?

Luke studied him for a moment and gave him a half-smile. “Okay.”

“Good. Hop in the truck. I thought we’d go for ice cream, and I have a surprise for you.”

Luke perked up immediately. Finn opened the passenger door and helped him into the back seat and secured his seat belt, then circled to the driver’s side. He climbed in, turned the ignition and then reached for the small bag on the front seat.

“So, I wanted to get you something. I saw all the Lego you owned. Then I saw this and thought maybe you’d like it.”

He pulled out a navy-blue baseball cap embroidered with the NASA logo and turned to face Luke. “It’s what they wear at NASA.”

Space! He’d googled NASA hats and found a store that sold them. Cape Canaveral wasn’t far from Haywood Lake. Rockets took off from there frequently. Plus, there was a whole visitor center. It would be the perfect field trip if Lainey were agreeable.

“You mean like NASA. Like, the real place?” Luke reached for it carefully, turning it in his hands. “Do you think I could go there someday?”

“To NASA?” Finn nodded. “Absolutely. Cape Canaveral’s not far from here. They have a whole visitor center. Rockets, launchpads, the works. We could go sometime. That is, if it’s okay with your mom.”

“I know she’ll say yes,” the little boy replied. Then he slipped the cap on. It was a little too big, but Luke didn’t care.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “Thanks.”

Finn’s throat tightened, emotion rising fast and fierce. He had to swallow hard just to get the words out. “You’re welcome, bud.”

And just like that, the world shifted. It wasn’t dramatic but quiet. Solid.

He had a son!