Chapter 28

“You raised a good kid,” Deacon told Max.

“I did my best. Thankfully, he was, is, smart enough to understand there’s more to life than partying and hanging out with guys who would rather get into trouble than apply themselves to work and school.”

“I suspect you were the same way,” Deacon replied.

Max shrugged. “It was the only way to break the cycle and do what I’d always dreamed of, instead of settling for some job I’d grow to hate.”

“Then Jack has a good mentor. I was going to say father, but you’re only that in the way you act, right?”

“Yes. We never went through the adoption process. It didn’t seem necessary, since I’m his legal guardian. Besides, I wanted him to keep his own name, in memory of his parents, if that makes sense.”

“Very much so.” Deacon slid over, putting his arm around Max. “You’re a good man, Max Harman. By the way, is Max your given name, or a nickname?”

“Nickname. My full name is Maxwell Edwin Harman. Maxwell after my grandfather.”