Caught in Us (Caught Series Book 4), Kacey Shea [top 50 books to read .TXT] 📗

It’s just before eleven when I pull into the lot of the teen center, a small non-profit that gives kids a safe place to hang out. Cody and Ryan, two of our regulars, step outside as I park along the curb. They’re most likely leaving to walk down the corner to smoke or vape. We don’t allow it in the center, but I understand these kids are fighting bigger battles. One step at a time. I cut the engine and hop out of the cab. “Where are you troublemakers off to?”

“Just a walk down to 7-11. You want anything?” Cody says, his stare drifting to Alicia as she gets out of the truck. His eyes widen appreciatively.

Ryan is apparently tongue-tied by a pretty woman.

It takes everything not to roll my eyes at these two. “I’m good.” I walk around to the back of the truck. “You gonna be back soon? I could use some help.” I pop the gate to my truck bed.

Their stares leave Alicia to check out what I’ve got, and their eyes widen with excitement.

“Wait!” Ryan practically shouts. “Are these the new bags you promised us?”

“Is that a rowing machine?” Cody hops up into my truck bed, his plans of a trip to the convenience store totally abandoned.

“Hell yeah, it is.” I grin. “Help me slide that box out?”

Alicia walks around to the bed of the truck, interest in her big brown eyes.

“This will only take a few minutes. I promise.”

“Do what you need to.” She watches as the boys help me lift the equipment out of the truck.

Once we have the items out, I walk around her to get to the back seat of my quad cab. “Carry this?” I hold out the box of bolts and the chain I’ll need to hang the punching bags.

“Sure.” She takes them, and I lift the back seat to retrieve my tool box.

“A few minutes, huh?” She laughs lightly, eyeing my tool box and then the heavyweight kickboxing bags Cody and Ryan lug toward the door.

I lift my brow, a teasing grin on my lips. “Ye of little faith.”

“I’m just saying.” She shrugs unapologetically. “I’ve never seen any man finish a project in minutes.”

“Be prepared to be amazed.” I lock up my truck and head toward the center’s door.

“Chase! Hey, man.” Mav rolls forward, a smile on his face. “Didn’t think we’d see you this week.”

“He got the bags!” Cody yells.

“I see that.” Maverick laughs. “You need help with anything?” He rotates his motorized wheelchair to turn and keep pace as we head toward the area of the center that’s been purposed as a fitness center.

“Nah, let the young-uns do the heavy lifting.” I wink at my best friend. “This wasn’t supposed to come in until next week, but I figured the kids would get more joy out of it rather than taking up space in my living room.”

“You spoil them.” Maverick chuckles as Cody and Ryan argue about where to place the punching bags.

“Eh.” I shrug. “The guys at the station wanted to do this.” I nod toward the teens. “Hey, just leave them there for now. I’ve got to get these mounts installed. Don’t forget, the rower’s still outside.”

“Shit.” Ryan’s brows lift. “Bro, let’s go before someone jacks our stuff.” The boys take off, the excitement in their smiles contagious.

Mav chuckles and then looks around my body to where Alicia stands. “Hey,” he lifts his hand in a wave. “I’m Maverick.”

“Sorry. Where are my manners?” I shake my head, “Alicia, this is Mav. He’s one of the site managers here at the center.”

Maverick rolls his eyes. “And your best friend.”

“Most days.” I wink at him and laugh.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Alicia looks around. “This is really impressive.”

“I can give you a tour if you’d like?”

“That’d be great.” She turns to me. “If that’s okay?”

My chest fills with pride at her spark of interest. This place isn’t only where I volunteer, it’s a passion project. “Yeah, go check it out.” Picking out the tools I need, I try not to stare as Alicia follows Mav out of the room. They fall into easy conversation and her soft laughter at something he says brings a smile to my lips. Part of the reason I decided to pick her up instead of coming here first was to show her a glimpse inside my world. I only hope she likes what she finds. For Matthew’s sake. That’s my only motivation. That’s what today needs to be about.

Liar.

Yeah, okay, there’s a piece of me that desires her affirmation and approval. I want Alicia to like the person I’ve become. I want her to regret leaving me behind, even if it’s only a little, because somehow that will validate the work I’ve done. And I know how lame that is. I’m a grown man, my own person, and I shouldn’t rely on her opinion of my character for self-worth. But I do. I care more than I should.

13

Alicia

“So you connect with the area school counselors, teen advocacy groups, and local universities?” I ask, leaning against the counter in the teen center’s kitchen. “I love the partnership aspect to all of this.”

“Yeah, that’s how we started and it’s worked for us. Every now and then the local news will pick us up for a special interest story and that’s great for funding, but to really reach teens we try to go where they are.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t know this place existed. When I was working on my pre-reqs for my graduate program applications, I would have loved to volunteer here.”

“How many years ago was that?”

“Almost four now.”

“Well, that’s why. We didn’t exist then,” Maverick says. “We’re coming up on our two-year anniversary next month. When Chase first came to me with the idea, I thought he was crazy. Well, he’s always been a little crazy.” He laughs and shrugs. “I mean, who else would hire a dude in a wheelchair to look after a bunch of at-risk teenagers?