Chapter 57

Like father, like son,Lane thought. Aloud, he said, “I think your dad wants us both to wait until morning, don’t you?”

Braden pouted but finished the water. Handing the glass back to Lane, he said, “You know, I didn’t like you at first.”

Lane laughed, surprised at the boy’s frankness. “No, really? I couldn’t tell. But what, you like me now?”

Braden nodded, his gaze drifting back to the presents under the tree. “Yeah, you’re okay. I mean, you’re cooler than Mike.” Lowering his voice, Braden confided, “He’s kind of a nerd.”

Trying to tamp down his grin, Lane asked, “Why do you say that?”

“You met him, right? You saw it yourself. He’s a nerd.” The sardonic expression on Braden’s face looked so out of place, Lane laughed again.

“He’s a nice guy,” Lane said, though to be honest, he only knew the man from what Remy had said. “He seems nice anyway.”

“Yeah, he’s okay.” Braden shrugged. “He calls me slugger, but I don’t know why. It makes him sound so old.”