Someone coughed and Wes, still in Rebecca’s space, straightened. Steven was a few steps behind Rebecca, hands shoved deep in the pockets of his jeans and his gaze averted. “Uh, sorry, Chef G. I just wanted to check if I could go in the classroom early. I need to look up a recipe in a book you have.”
Wes frowned. “Aren’t you supposed to be in computer class?”
Rebecca stepped to Wes’s side to face Steven, too.
Steven looked warily at Rebecca and then finally met Wes’s eyes. “I don’t get that programming sh—stuff. I told Ms. Burton I wanted to work on my homework in the library.”
“But you want to dig around the cookbook collection,” Wes said, his eyes scanning Steven’s face, noting the patch of bluish purple near his temple, only partially hidden by his floppy hair.
Steven shrugged, a little sheepish. “I tried something over the weekend and…it didn’t go well. Burned something and stunk up the whole house. I wanted to check what I got wrong.”
Wes wanted to ask about the bruise but wouldn’t do it in front of Rebecca and risk embarrassing Steven. “Room’s open. But don’t turn on any kitchen equipment.”
“Got it,” he said with a look of relief. “Thanks.”
Rebecca was frowning deeply, watching Steven walk away, when Wes turned to face her.
“You okay?” he asked.
She chewed her lip, still watching the boy disappear down the hall. “You saw that mark on his head?”
Wes sighed. “Yeah, I’ll ask him about it later. He’ll say he got in a fight.”
“You think that’s the truth?”
“I think it’s possible and hard to prove otherwise if he sticks to his story. He’s had a history of getting in scuffles. But like I told you before, I’ve met his father and was…unimpressed.”
She looked at Wes, a wrinkle between her brows. “Meaning?”
Wes squeezed his temples, weary. “I don’t know. At first I thought my aversion to him was from my not-too-positive history with law enforcement. But I think it’s more than that, because I’ve gotten to know a number of cops from working here and they’re great. It’s mostly a gut feeling with Wes’s father, but he reminds me a lot of my biological dad. Like what he’s showing us is a well-honed veneer. I think Steven’s got a lot going on that he’s not telling us.”
Rebecca worried the yellow bandanna between her fingers, her gaze sliding back toward the hallway. “You think he’s being abused?”
“I don’t know,” Wes said, able to share information now that Rebecca had gotten approved to be an official volunteer at the program. “I know there’s some depression there. A lot of anger and a rebellious streak. I just can’t figure out how much of a factor his home life is. A report was made to CPS last year, and nothing came out of the investigation. That doesn’t mean nothing’s happening, but I’m trying to build up enough trust with him so he’ll confide in me. The system can only do so much when it doesn’t have complete information.”
Rebecca looked at Wes, concern there. “Wes…”
He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Come on, let’s not talk about this now. If you think too hard about any one of these kids’ situations, you’ll keep yourself up at night worrying about them. Believe me, I know.”
A sad expression crossed her face. “But doesn’t that make you feel so helpless?”
“Of course. But it doesn’t change the laws or procedures. The best thing we can do is what we’re doing,” he said, giving her the talk he often had to give himself. “We can be there for them in the time we get with them. Watch. Listen. Be available if they’re ready to talk. Set an example. Give them a little fun and respite from whatever they’re going through. Help them create some opportunities to better their situation.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. “That’s what you’re doing for them by giving them Adele and by being here to help with the project. If I want Steven to open up to me, I have to be patient and build trust.”
She frowned. “Did I mention patience is not my
favorite virtue?”
He smiled a slow smile. “That’s actually one of the things I like best about you. You’re all about the action, lawyer girl.” He waggled his eyebrows, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s come in handy so far. Random kissing the first night I met you. Basically seducing me yesterday after we decided to take things slow. Your lack of patience is paying off in great dividends for me.”
She gave him a wry look. “You make me sound like some sex-starved woman with an impulse-control problem.”
“Well, if the shoe fits…”
She punched him in the shoulder.
He laughed and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close, closer than he should at work, but the hallway outside his office was deserted. “Good thing I’m just as starved for you. You could’ve had me that first night if you’d asked. You inspire very loose morals in me.”
She bit her lip, her eyes dancing with laughter. “I wanted you that night, too. Even when I thought you were a cheating jackass with an anger problem. Clearly, we’re terrible for each other’s judgment.”