I sighed, pushing my chair back. “Where’s he from, and do we not have any available foster homes?”
“The Miami area, I believe.”
I furrowed my brow. “Why is he coming here?”
Bella shrugged. “I don’t know. You didn’t know about this? I assumed it had been approved by you already.”
The lack of communication in this profession was astounding sometimes. I’d already spent my morning at the courthouse, overseeing my social workers with their current cases and a few of my own that I’d kept even after I became a supervisor. I was frustrated and exhausted, and it was barely noon.
“No, I didn’t know. There aren’t any foster homes available?”
Bella frowned. “I guess the child’s history has made every foster home turn him down.”
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming. “How old is he?”
“He’s nine.”
“What’s his history?” I knew from experience that saying “oh, he’s just nine” could bite you right in the ass. While most nine years olds still played with toys and loved their parents, kids who were nine in the foster care system oftentimes had a lot done to them or seen a lot in their lives.
“In and out of foster care since infancy. Mom was given the chance to get him back several times.”
“Dad?”
Bella shook her head. “Not in the picture. No dad listed on birth certificate.”
“So what’s mom’s deal now?”
“They didn’t tell me, just that he was in the system again and probably would be for a long time, if not forever. The kid has issues, as you can imagine. He was kicked out of several foster homes in the Miami area.”
I picked up my phone and dialed Kids Life Group Home. After being put on hold for several minutes, the director finally picked up. He was a great friend of mine and someone I trusted.
“Trent.”
“April, hey. Is this about the boy?”
He knew me well. “Yes. I need you to take him, Trent.”
“April, you know I’ll do anything for you, but I’m full. I really can’t.”
I sighed. I was going to have to sleep in the office with this child tonight if I didn’t find somewhere for him to go. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d had to do that in my career, and it more than likely wouldn’t be the last. “Have any connections to any foster homes you could sweet talk into taking him for a few days?”
Trent snorted. “You know the issues around here, April. The foster homes are bulging with kids, and none of them are leaving.”
Unshed tears stung the backs of my eyes, and I didn’t understand why. I’d been doing this for years, and this wasn’t the first time I’d been in this situation, and I knew it wouldn’t be my last. I could only hope the spotlight with Jaded Regret that would run on all our local news channels and in our newspaper would shed some light on our foster system and get quality people who wanted to help these kids.
“Can you just take him tonight, Trent? I promise I’ll figure out something tomorrow for him.”
He sighed. “April . . .”
Bella’s phone rang and she stepped out. I watched as she paced back and forth, eyeing me. She must’ve been on the phone with the other counselor. She walked back in, her hand over the mouthpiece. “Where are they taking him? They’re downstairs.”
“Just have them bring him to me,” I said. “I’ll figure out what to do.”
“Let me see what I can do, but unless someone leaves, it can’t be permanent, April.”
I hung up the phone and stepped out of my office, following Bella to the main entrance where a harried counselor was trying to keep up with a pissed off little boy. He was the most adorable thing I’d ever seen with dark hair just a bit too long and dark eyes. He stomped ahead of the worker, his face flushed and his mouth in a straight line. When he saw me, he stopped, crossing his arms in front of him as his eyes flashed up at me.
“Are you April Knight?” The older woman huffed, holding a bag on her shoulder.
“Yes.”
“Here you go,” she said, shoving the bag into my chest. “Good luck.” She turned to walk away.
“Wait! What’s he doing here? Why was he transferred?”
She glanced down at the little boy and then back to me. “He and his mother were here. I’m not sure why. She’s in the hospital.”
I gazed down at him, and that’s when I saw his lip quiver just once before he bit it. “Bella, take . . .” I regarded the woman. “What’s his name?”
“Robbie.”
“Take Robbie into the cafeteria and see if he wants something to eat,” I instructed. “I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”
Robbie lifted his chin in defiance and I wondered if he’d go with her. Bella held out her hand for him, and although he turned away from her, he did follow her into the building. He hadn’t spoken a word.
I watched them walk away before turning back to the other counselor. “What happened?”
“His mother is in critical condition, not expected to make it,” she said, sadness lacing her tone. “I’m not sure what the details are, but I know he was the one who called 9–1-1. When the officers arrived, they looked up the mom and him, and that’s how they found out the rest of the information.”
“And no dad of record?”
She shook her head. “No. And Robbie hasn’t spoken a word since he called 9–1-1. When they took his mother away, he was screaming and crying. The officers had to hold him to get him to stop trying to run.”
Tears pricked my eyes again. This poor kid. “Okay, thank you.”
I walked back inside, my heart heavy for this child. Deep pain set in when I thought of what would happen to him now.
I stepped back and studied at my reflection in the mirror. Did I seem like I was trying too hard? Tonight was the Jaded Regret concert, and I didn’t just want to look hotter than ever before—I needed to. I’d had the craziest, most stressful twenty-four hours of my life, and I couldn’t wait to scream along with the fans while watching Beau beat the hell out of his drums.
Since meeting him, I’d been watching YouTube videos of drummers from all the most popular rock bands. I wanted to understand his passion and be able to talk to him. I may be a little biased, but I still thought he was the best at what he did.
Trent had mercy on me and had taken Robbie into the group home. Taking him there had broken my heart. Robbie hadn’t spoken one word, even when Bella had taken him in to get something to eat. He’d chosen a hot dog, chips, and water without saying anything at all to her. He’d eaten in silence, and when directly spoken to, he didn’t respond. When I’d pulled up to the group home, his eyes had been large and watery, but he still hadn’t said a word. When I’d crouched down next to him and told him he would be safe here, he’d just nodded and walked away from me, clutching his bag to his chest.
When I’d talked to Trent earlier, he said Robbie was in his room, clutching a photo of what seemed to be of him and his mom. He wouldn’t eat or talk. I’d also called the hospital and found out Robbie’s mother had passed away. I hadn’t had the heart to call Trent and tell him yet. I’d sat there and cried, my heart breaking for this little boy who had already lived most of his life in the system, and now was parentless. His mom had a drug problem, and he’d not only been born addicted to them, but had been taken from her no less than five times since then. No one knew what she was doing in this area when they lived near Miami, but she’d died of a heroin overdose.
I would never understand how a parent could see the sweet face of their child, the flesh and blood they gave birth to, and do such vile and horrible things to them.
“Holy shit!” Camryn’s voice interrupted my sad thoughts. “Where is April? What have you done with her?”
I smacked my ruby red lips together and pushed up my cleavage. This outfit was way outside my norm, hence Camryn’s reaction. This was more her style. “Do I look hot?”
Camryn eyed me up and dow
n. “I’d totally swing the other way for you in this outfit. You are smokin’! What’s the occasion?”
“I’m going to get the attention of a certain quiet drummer,” I said, fluffing my hair with my fingers. “Let’s go. I want to be early.”
Camryn hurried behind me, squealing the whole way about me landing Beau. I stopped short at the door, causing her to run into my back. “Cami, I don’t just want him for one night.”
She lifted her eyebrows at me. “You what?”
“I want more than a roll in the sack with him.”
“But, then . . . why are you dressed like that?”
She was right. I was being rather contradictory. “I want him to really see me.”
“Oh, he’ll see you,” she said, “he’ll probably poke himself in the eye with his drumstick he’ll see you so well.”
Beau seeing me was only the beginning of what I wanted.
Camryn and I walked down the darkened hallway to see the band before they took the stage. Their opening act was already jamming on the stage. They seemed talented, but I couldn’t care less about seeing them. My stomach was in knots waiting to see Beau. I knew he’d be standoffish, but if anything, I wanted to apologize for what had happened when I saw him at the restaurant.
A large bodyguard blocked the door with Jaded Regret’s logo on it. We flashed the backstage passes Bex had given us, and he stepped aside, opening the door for us. I’d never in my life been behind the scenes of a rock concert, much less with the band I’d come to think of as my friends.
My eyes scanned the room, seeing Bex on Johnny’s lap, Tanner on his phone, and Beau tapping on his leg with his signature drumsticks. Natalie wasn’t in here. We shut the door behind us, and all four sets of eyes swung to us.
“April!” Bex stood and gave me a quick hug. “Camryn, right?”
Camryn nodded, her eyes across the room on Tanner. He stood and made his way to us.
“Cami,” he said, his voice low. His eyes raked up and down her body before settling back on her face. “You are fucking hot. Come on over here with me.” He took her hand and led her to the loveseat. She curled her legs under her and turned her body toward him. I’d lost her already.
“That didn’t take long,” Bex muttered. “Glad you guys could make it! We’re going on in about thirty minutes. Natalie’s out being a manager somewhere. Please, make yourself at home. Do you want a drink or something?”
I nodded and Bex grabbed me a beer, popping the top and handing it to me. I didn’t want it, but I needed something to stop the nervous butterflies from attacking my stomach. Beau’s eyes remained on me from where he sat in the corner, but he hadn’t said a word.
“Talk to him,” Johnny murmured into my ear. I took a gulp of my beer, hoping for some liquid courage. I didn’t even like beer, being much more of a wine girl myself. But it worked, because my shoulders relaxed and the stress of the last few days started to melt away. I studied Beau as he tapped, his eyes now closed instead of watching me. He was mesmerizing to watch. I was sitting with Beau Anderson. I couldn’t believe it.
Before I knew it, the bottle was empty, and my head was a little fuzzy. Guess that’s what happens when you forget to eat first. I smoothed my short skirt and strode over to him, stopping in front of him. His eyes were still closed, but I knew he detected me there because his hands stilled.
“Beau,” I said. I turned my face slightly so I could see what everyone else was doing. Johnny and Bex were kissing, making desire curl into my belly at the apparent love in their touch. Tanner and Camryn had their heads together, whispering but not touching. We were as alone as we could be in this room.
His eyes finally opened, training right on me. “April.” I waited for him to look at me, really see me, but his eyes never left mine. Defeat settled in my chest. He didn’t care what I wore or what I did. He wanted nothing to do with me.
“I-I just wanted to apologize for what I said the last time we saw each other. I didn’t mean it the way it came out.”
His forehead crinkled like he was trying to remember what I’d said. “It’s fine,” he said finally.
I perched on the chair next to him. He started tapping on his legs again, and I moved my hands so they were over his. He immediately stopped. “Show me.” His hands were still for a few beats too long, and I figured he wasn’t going to do it. I was about to move when he put the drumsticks in my hands and began moving, tapping a rapid beat I’d never remember.
I turned my head so I could watch his face as he played my hands with his drumsticks. With my face so close to his, I was able to study the tattoos on his neck, the short dark hair on his beard, his nose ring, and his incredible eyes. They were so dark they looked black, but they were the one part of him that showed expression.
His hands stilled as he realized how close I was to his face. Beau slightly turned my way. My hands were still under his, clutching his drumsticks like they were the last lifeline I had. They just might’ve been. My eyes scanned his flawless face. He had the most beautiful skin, and I wanted to touch him again. My eyes flitted to his lips. God, what it would be like to press my lips to his, I could only imagine.
“Did you . . . keep your drumsticks?” I felt his warm breath against my lips, and I shuddered. Tingles spread from my spine down to my toes and back again, making goose bumps break out on my skin. I wanted nothing more than to grab him and show him exactly why he should want to get to know me better.
I licked my dry lips and nodded my head. “O-of course. I told you I’d save them forever.”
He nodded. His thumbs caressed my hands and I froze, wondering if he knew what he was doing and afraid if I moved he would realize it and stop.
“You’re so handsome.” My legs shook as adrenaline coursed through my body. “There’s nothing better than seeing you doing what you love.”
Beau’s eyes searched mine as if trying to read into what I said. Of course, he didn’t believe me. Why would he? I knew from experience kids who had been abandoned never quite got over the belief that nothing they did was good enough or would bring back the people they loved. He was no different.
But I had to keep my mouth shut because that’s what had gotten me into trouble before with him.
I wanted nothing more than to kiss Beau, to show him with my mouth what I couldn’t say in words. But I was terrified of what his reaction would be, and after the stress I’d been under over Robbie, I didn’t think my fragile psyche could handle one more thing.
One of Beau’s hands moved, and I knew the moment was over. He’d want me to get away from him now. But instead, I felt his hand touch the side of my face like I’d done to him on the rooftop deck.
“You . . .” Beau cleared his throat. I could physically see how hard this was for him to do. “April.” It came out a strained whisper, like it physically pained him to say my name. I didn’t want him to hurt because of me.
“It’s okay,” I said, putting my hand over his on my face. “You don’t have to talk. Just know I’m here, all right?”
He shook his head, moving his hand and entwining our fingers together. Then he shocked the hell out of me and kissed my palm, his eyes never leaving mine. “You . . . smell incredible,” he whispered against my skin. “You’re . . . beautiful. So beautiful.” If I hadn’t been listening to every syllable like they were the last sounds I’d ever hear, I might’ve missed what he said.
But I’d heard every damn one of them.
“Time to go!” Natalie’s voice came from behind us, and I wanted to cry. Of course, we’d be interrupted now.
Beau stood, his fingers still linked with mine. He leaned over and brushed his lips against my cheek, stopping at my ear. “Stay after the show.” He dropped my hand and stepped around me, but I was frozen in place. Desire pulsed through my body like nothing I’d ever experienced before, and the biggest smile broke across my face.
Beau Anderson had kissed my hand. And my cheek. He’d asked me to stay after the show.
I thought my head just might explode right off my body.
I was in a hotel room with Beau Anderson. I was alone in a hotel room with Beau Anderson. He’d either asked Natalie not to come back to the room, or she’d made herself scarce.
I’d barely been able to contain myself the entire show. Beau had stared straight at me the whole time he played, or at least, I pretended he did. I’d never been so turned on in my entire life from a kiss to the hand and the cheek. Since it was only the second show they’d played from their new tour, the first being in their hometown, the crowd was on fire for the new music they’d never played live before.
Camryn had tried to get me to talk about what had happened, but I couldn’t even form words. It wasn’t like a whole lot had happened anyway, at least not by her standards. To me, however, I felt like I’d just won the damn lottery.
I was shaking my leg nervously, watching Beau as he poured us both a soda from his mini fridge. He hadn’t said a word to me after the show, just simply held out his hand and walked with me back to his room. I’d been afraid to breathe for fear he’d change his mind.
He slid the glass across the table to me, and I took it, gulping it a little too eagerly. I needed to relax. It wasn’t like he’d bite me or anything.
“So this was show number two, right?”
He nodded. “Yep. Out of fifteen.”
“You seem to be getting a great response to your new stuff,” I said. It was not at all what I wanted to talk about, but my bravery had seemed to have taken a hiatus.
Beau said nothing, just watched me over the rim of his glass as he sipped. He had showered and changed, now wearing a black short-sleeve shirt that was taut over his muscular chest and a pair of faded jeans. His hair was still wet, and I wanted nothing more than to run my fingers through it. My outfit had seemingly gone unnoticed; Beau looked at me no differently than when I was in my work clothes.
“Tell me how you became a social worker,” Beau said.
“My mom was a foster kid,” I started, watching as his eyebrows lifted in response. “She aged out of the system and was just running wild. A lot of bad stuff happened, and she ended up in the hospital. My dad was a medical student and was doing his ER rotation when my mom was brought in. They weren’t sure she was going make it.” I stopped, thinking about poor Robbie and his mom.
Snared (Jaded Regret #1) Page 9
