Beneath the dimly lit porch light of his house, Casey smiled. "I had fun tonight."

"Yeah, me too," August replied.

August leaned in, closing the distance between their bodies as he kissed him. With a swift gesture, Casey wrapped his arms around his broad shoulders and let himself get swept up in the passionate moment.

A pair of bright headlights came creeping down the road, causing the two to step back and gaze back at the car that drove by. Casey scooted toward the door, as if expecting a reign of bullets to come. Thankfully, the car just drove on and Casey let out a breath he'd sucked in.

"You thought it might be them too?" August asked softly.

Casey released a sigh, nodding. "Yeah, they've been awfully quiet and I don't like it. I feel like they're planning something. I've had Lani be careful when babysitting Wyatt, making sure she keeps the doors locked and doesn't open it for anyone."

"I get it. You can't be too careful around here," August told him. "Have the police found any more leads yet?"

"No, nothing so far."

"I've kept an ear out on the streets, but nobody's talking much about it. The Black Vipers have been rather tight-lipped lately too, but there's supposed to be a raid on the Voiceless Rebels soon. Apparently, a rat gave the cops some intel on a drug stash of theirs."

"Oh shit, really?"

"Yeah, I heard it's gonna be a big one." August stuffed his hands in his pockets. "It'll be hard on them, losing that much supply."

Casey couldn't help but think about Emmett. Did he realize someone in their group had turned on him? While the gangs liked to consider themselves like family, Casey was all too familiar with how they stabbed each other in the back. His mom had mentioned it before, about how their people easily turned on each other to save their own backs. Casey couldn't blame them either. Why sacrifice your own life for theirs?

"I wonder what they'll do about it," Casey murmured.

"Probably cut back on their clients," August replied. "I've seen it happen before. We'll get an increase in demand with them being short. Even if they're loyal to them, they'll seek out whoever they can for their drugs."

"Interesting. I can't say I'm surprised. Addicts are desperate to get their drugs. It's a pitiful life, really."

August shrugged. "Guess they can't help themselves. It's a shame to see people get hooked on that shit. I watched it kill my mom. That's why my grammie raised me. Lost my mom when I was just eight. Overdosed on the couch. I found her in the morning."

"Jesus." Casey gasped, touching his shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

August waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, it's okay. Mom knew what she was doing. She didn't wanna live in this world anymore. The pain killed her in the end. All the drugs only suppressed it for a while."

"Still, I'm sorry you had to go through that. I can't even imagine..."

"Nah, I get it. I'm glad you can't relate. But that's why I used to be more understanding of Veronica. Like, she kinda reminded me of my mother sometimes. I get how it can be a pain to recover from drug abuse."

"I know. That's why I gave her so many chances. More than I should have," Casey admitted.. "Please, promise me you'd touch none of those awful drugs."

"Don't worry, I've got no plans to. If I could get out of the business, I would," August told him. "But I've got too many debts to pay. Maybe someday I'll be able to escape, but not now. Not without putting my grandma or you in harm's way."

"Me?" Casey raised a brow.

"They'll know we're together and hold that over me," August explained. "You know how the gang is. They don't let people leave, especially not when they're a huge source of income."

"There must be a way to get you out," Casey said. "You could try the police. Maybe they could help-"

"No way." August cut him off, shaking his head. "The cops would make me their new informant. They'd get me killed. Until I've paid off my debts, I have to stay. For everyone's safety."

"You shouldn't have to do that, but I understand. Just be careful," Casey told him. "Don't get yourself killed."

"I won't." August kissed his forehead. "You better get inside. It's cold out and I'm sure Wyatt's waiting up for you."

"Good night."

August smiled. "Night."

After learning about why August stayed in the Black Vipers gang, he couldn't help but wonder if there was a loophole to free him. Casey unlocked the front door, not surprised to find his sister and father sitting up in the living room, waiting for him.

"How'd your date go?" Lani asked, leering.

Casey grinned. "Good, actually. I had a lot of fun."

"Yeah? I'm glad to hear that," Mr. Lockhart told him.

"Almost fell on my butt a few times while ice skating," Casey admitted, chuckling awkwardly.

"Would've loved to see that." Lani snickered.

"Whatever. Turns out August used to skate a lot as a teen. He gave up on it after an injury he'd got," Casey replied, not filling in the full details.

"Huh, interesting. Never would've pictured that guy as an ice skater," Lani said.

"Right? Me neither, but he kept himself balanced the whole time. I felt bad for clinging to him so much."

"You think things will get serious between you guys?" Lani asked.

"Maybe." Casey shrugged. "I'm gonna check up on Wyatt. Promised to read him a bedtime story when I got home, and I'm sure he's just as curious about the date."

As Casey made his way into their shared bedroom, Wyatt sat up with a yawn, rubbing at one of his tired eyes. He held his favorite stuffed teddy bear. Poor thing had seen better days, but Wyatt loved the toy, regardless.

"Hey, buddy." Casey came and sat at the foot of his own bed. "Heard you had lots of fun with Lani and all that Playdough."

"We did!" Wyatt exclaimed. "I made lots of animals with mine."

"Sounds like fun."

"Did you have fun?" Wyatt asked, gazing up at him with those adorable, brown, curious eyes.

"I did." Casey grinned, retelling him all about the fun he'd had ice skating with August.

It had been so long since Casey had an enjoyable date night like that, and he couldn't deny how happy August made him. Despite the mayhem in his life these past months, Casey was glad to have met the guy. He only hoped that their relationship didn't falter during troubled times.

🧁

The following morning, Casey took Wyatt over to the community park. Spring was near, but the flowers had yet to blossom. While the snow had melted, the bitter wind still nipped at their reddened cheeks.

A few other kids chased each other around the playground. Wyatt stayed near the slides, unbothered by the others' ruckus. Wyatt kept to himself, which Casey understood all too well. He'd been a reserved kid too, always having his dad wish he'd made more friends and put himself out there.

Most of their parents sat on benches, chatting amongst each other. Casey noticed it was only mothers who came, but he tried to ignore their hushed whispers and annoying stares. He hated when they judged him. Probably wondering where Wyatt's mother was. As if it was any of their business. One snobby woman tried to approach them, questioning him about Wyatt's mother as if he were being interrogated.

"Where's the little guy's mom?" The woman asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "We're not used to fathers bringing their kids."

"It's none of your business," Casey snapped.

"Well, it's best for a kid to have their mother around. We've even got our own little group here for single mothers."

Casey resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Good for you. If you don't mind, I'd like to keep my attention on my son."

"You know, statistics prove that kids who grow up without their mom turn to lives of crime."

"Well, I doubt having Wyatt's mom around would help much since she's a junkie in prison," Casey told her. "Even the courts ruled in favor of me having full custody. I'd appreciate it if you left us alone now. Go spread that gossip to your mom's group."

The snobby woman scoffed, snubbing her pointy nose at him as she made her way back over to her gossiping group. Casey couldn't stand people like her. She reminded him too much of his mom's family.

Casey didn't like to get involved in arguments, but he wouldn't let anyone infer his sweet boy would end up as a criminal. Wyatt couldn't help what his mom did. Those snooty women needed to mind their own business, and Casey wouldn't hesitate to tell that either. Casey knew he was doing his damndest to take care of Wyatt.

Even Wyatt glanced over at the group of women occasionally while he went down the slides. Casey worried if it bothered him and considered leaving, but he didn't want to ruin their day at the park.

Maybe he should've asked Lani to come with them. Nobody ever said anything to them when she tagged along. It didn't always happen, but those types of helicopter moms didn't like him invading what they considered their personal space, despite how the public park was meant for everyone.

A little girl with pigtails came over to play with Wyatt, who seemed to enjoy the company, until one mother hurried over to pull her daughter away. Casey noticed how the other kids stuck to the other side of the playground, but it never dawned on him they told their kids to stay away from them. They were just trying to have fun.

Would it be the same way when Wyatt reached elementary school? Casey hated the thought of other kids and adults looking down on his son because of his mother, but he knew how horrible people could be. Casey couldn't shield Wyatt from the entire truth forever either.

"Daddy." Wyatt tugged on his sleeve.

"Yeah? Something wrong?"

"Walk." Wyatt pointed toward the park's trail.

"You wanna go walk on the trail?" Casey asked.

Wyatt nodded. "Walk on trail."

Casey led them over to the trail, relieved to get away from the gossiping women. Part of him wondered if Wyatt suggested the walk so they wouldn't need to deal with them.

"Those moms back there weren't very nice, were they? I don't want you ever feeling left off or unwelcomed in places," Casey told him. "No matter what they say, don't listen to their crap."

"Don't listen to their crap. Got it." Wyatt gave him a thumbs up, grinning.

Casey chuckled. "Good, I'm glad."

As they continued down the trail, something near one bench caught Wyatt's eye and he chased after it. Casey assumed it might've been a squirrel. Upon approaching, he noticed Wyatt curiously examining something in the grass near a tree. Casey got down on his knees beside him.

Blood covered Wyatt's little hands. Casey stifled his gasp before realizing the blood wasn't his son's, but the injured puppy curled up in the grass. It had a deep cut inflicted on the back of its leg and drops of blood covered the surrounding grass.

"Don't touch it," Casey warned him.

"He's hurt," Wyatt whimpered. "We have to save him! Take him to the hospital!"

"We can take him to the vet downtown," Casey told him. "But we need something to pick him up with. And carefully. I don't wanna frighten him."

Casey pulled some wet wipes out of his coat's pocket for Wyatt's hands. He'd learned to keep them with him at all times with Wyatt, especially when he was a baby. After much consideration, Casey removed his own coat and gently picked the puppy up. He expected the poor thing to bite or growl at him, but seeing his pitiful condition, he realized the puppy had no strength left to fight back.

"Come on, we'll take him to the vet, okay? They'll take care of him there," Casey said.

Wyatt nodded, climbing to his feet and hurrying onto the sidewalk. He beckoned for Casey to quicken his pace while he peeked down at the whimpering puppy in his hands. Poor thing felt very lightweight, making him wonder if he was starving and possibly dehydrated.

Ignoring the glares from the moms in the park, Casey unlocked his car and propped open the passenger side door. Wyatt stayed close by his side, keeping a close eye on the puppy he'd found. Casey placed the puppy down on the seat, still wrapped up in his coat. The poor thing shivered and whimpered.

"Will he die?" Wyatt asked softly. "Like grandma?"

As Casey helped his son get fastened in his car seat, he said, "We're gonna try to save him, buddy. I can't make any promises. The vet will do everything they can, okay?"

Casey only hoped the poor little puppy would pull through.