His Kind of Perfection

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“Okay, then. I’ll be right back.”

When she entered the gym again, she didn’t look for Bree or Gil—she didn’t want their opinion, or their interference, on this matter. Instead, she headed straight to the snack bar. “Lanie.” She used the stern tone again. “Bree told me about what you’re dealing with, and that your boyfriend has kicked you out of the house.”

Lanie’s eyes narrowed cautiously.

Stella’s heart beat a staccato rhythm against her chest wall. “Your car’s running now, but Ray says it needs to go into the shop for some major repairs. So, the way I see it, you’re going to need someone who can drive you around for a few days.” She saw the girl’s face harden, but she didn’t let that daunt her. “I have a car and plenty of time on my hands—too much really—and can drive you wherever you need to go. I have a large house with plenty of empty space that I would be more than happy to share.” She paused for a breath, before blurting, “I’d like for you to stay with me until you get on your feet.”

“You don’t even know me.” Lanie’s sneer was a mixture of derision and bewilderment.

Stella kept her gaze constant. “I know you can’t live on the street. You have a baby to think about.”

The girl’s chin buckled in response.

“If it doesn’t work, you can move out. But we won’t know unless we give it a try.” She grabbed a pen from the bar and scribbled her address on a napkin. “What have you got to lose?”

“I can’t,” Lanie protested.

Stella held her hand up, palm out. “Can’t or won’t? It seems like a plausible solution to me.” She dropped her hand and gave the girl a motherly smile. “I’m a good cook, and I’m fixing fried chicken and mashed potatoes for supper. Think about it.”

She headed back outside to give the young woman a little space, hoping Lanie would take note of that and understand.

* * *

THE TRUCK PULLING into the parking lot gave Kale a merciful respite in the middle of his third movement of the bricks while doing sprints. If he hadn’t recognized Josh’s pickup, he would’ve been relieved to be armed with a brick in each hand. The boy was unrecognizable as he climbed out of the vehicle clad in black leather and made up to look like a member of the heavy metal band Kiss, complete with white makeup, blackened winged eyes, red lips and wild wig.

“If you’re starting a band, that look’s already been taken,” Kale called from the corner of the lot where he deposited the load.

Josh’s grin made him much less menacing. “Wanted to show you my Halloween costume, Mr. B. I’ve got a party later, but I thought since I went to all the trouble, I might as well get some mileage out of it.”

“Well, if a customer shows up, please, get back in your truck. It’s been slow today, and I sure as hell don’t want anyone scared off.”

Kale invited the boy inside, where Josh grabbed a Mountain Dew while Kale chose a V8, then they went back out on the dock to enjoy the crisp October breeze coming off the lake.

“You’ve lost more weight.” The kid gave him a thumbs-up.

“Yeah, I joined that gym in Benton. Got me a personal trainer. It’s going pretty well.”

Kale was then pleased to hear that Josh was taking a lively part in school activities. He had made the math team again and had been approached by the debate coach, though he hadn’t decided on that yet. Student Council and Beta Club fund-raisers were taking huge chunks of his time. Most importantly, Ramona Blaine, the sheriff’s youngest daughter, had asked him to be her escort at homecoming Friday night.

“Watch out for the pretty ones, son,” Kale advised as Bree flashed in his mind, and he remembered the grueling workout from the night before followed by the drenching. “They can be wicked.”

Josh answered with a wicked smile of his own, his teeth yellowed by contrast to the white makeup and red lipstick. “So you’re advising me to date only ugly girls, but you don’t follow your own advice?”

Kale took the last swig of his drink. “I never claimed to be a role model.”

Josh shrugged. “Sorry things didn’t work out with Addy, Mr. B.” The low, sympathetic voice coming from the sinister face gave a surreal quality to the conversation. “Do you know the guy she hooked up with?”

The words, no matter that they were delivered so offhandedly, landed a punch to Kale’s gut. “You saw Addy with someone?”

Josh’s neck disappeared into his leather jacket like a turtle taking cover in its shell. “Ye—yeah.” The kid’s voice cracked. “At the Murray State game Saturday. I figured you knew.”

Anger and frustration tore through Kale. “Hell, no, I didn’t know!” He crushed the can in his hand into a ball and flung it at the trash container. It hit the metal side and ricocheted off like a bullet, straight for Josh’s head. Luckily, the kid had good reflexes. He shifted out of the way to let it whiz past.

Kale held his tongue by taking deep breaths, his head and lungs filling with the pungent fumes of gasoline. He stalked across the tethered walkway to shore, feeling the boards bounce under his heavy tread. The kid stayed behind, walking to the far end of the dock, giving him space.

Kale’s gut twisted. He was losing Addy. Emotions pinged about in his brain like June bugs in a jar. Addy. The marina. The two were paired in his brain. He had a plan, damn it! For the first time in his life, he was going to have something lasting. He’d been working his ass off for both of them...literally. Was within a few pounds of his goal weight, for God’s sake.