One Night With a Bad Boy by Bowen Emma J

Author:Bowen, Emma J
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emma J Bowen
Published: 2024-01-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Eric

The more I see of Holly, the more I like her. I can’t believe I’ve lived thirtysomething years without her in my life, honestly. It feels like things are going really well, so I hope there’s no other shoe, no surprises.

I just wish more than anything that I was a little less busy. The times we have together are fewer and farther between than I’d like. But that’s what makes them even better. She makes me want to be a better person. Her quiet zeal for life and her steady attitude help keep me grounded.

And she’s finally opening up to me a bit. I can still feel the walls—they aren’t totally down. But they’re a lot less rigid than they were before, and I’m thrilled about that.

The only thing I think Holly is still guarded about is her son. I want to ask her the story—like what happened with Oliver’s father and why isn’t he in the boy’s life? But I don’t dare risk her running away yet again. So I hover between getting to know him and keeping my distance, but I really like the kid.

One day, I stop by, and there’s no answer but Holly’s expecting me. I hear something out back, so I walk around the house and see Oliver snapping sticks and shuffling his feet in the backyard. He looks bored.

“Hey, Oliver! Whatcha doin’?” I call over the gate.

He spots me and smiles. Then, he lifts up a bow and arrow set from the patio slab. “Hi, Eric. I’m just waiting for my mom to get out of the shower to help me set up this archery set.”

“Nice bow. Did you just get it?” Oliver nods. “Well, guess what? I used to be an archery expert. I can help you set it up if you’d like.”

Oliver brightens. “Can you? Please?” He hands over the set eagerly, and I seize the opportunity.

“Of course! Let’s go.” Within a few minutes, we are setting up targets and bonding like men in the backyard. I’m learning how to get Oliver to talk—and when. Early mornings are already crossed off my list. He seems to open up more when he’s doing things with his hands.

“It’s a good thing you guys have such a big backyard,” I say to him. “Otherwise, this wouldn’t work too well.”

“Why not?” Oliver asks innocently.

“You need some distance to shoot the arrows,” I explain. “Plus, you don’t want them going into neighbors’ yards and stuff.”

In typical ten-year-old fashion, he argues. “Yes, I do! I want to shoot one into Aiden’s yard. He hit me with a water balloon yesterday.”

“Why did he do that?”

“I don’t know,” Oliver says sadly. “He was just being a buttface.”

“Well, that’s too bad.” I try to take on a parental-sounding tone. “But do you think getting him back is the right thing to do?”

Oliver smiles mischievously. “Yes!” he says, enthusiastic.

I try to hold back a laugh. “You sure about that? Would you like to try again?”

Rolling his eyes, Oliver concedes. “Okay, okay. No, it’s not right.

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