Just a Kiss: The Bradfords, Book 5 Read Online Free Page B

Steve interjected. “Stay in the house, I’ll pay the bills online. Put groceries and gas on our accounts in town.”
    Kevin couldn’t help but smile at his father’s earnestness. “I’m not worried about the money, Dad.” His NFL career had been short but he’d invested and saved and had no financial worries.
    “And I’ll pay for your rent while you’re out of your apartment.”
    “That won’t be necessary,” Kevin said.
    “Kevin?”
    They both turned toward Danika as she poked her head into the room. “Yeah?”
    “I need to talk to you.”
    “Okay.” He turned to his dad. “We’ll talk more.”
    Steve nodded. “Thanks, son.” The look of relief on his face was real.
    “Sure thing.”
    Sure thing. He’d take over as a fill-in father to a ten-year-old he’d met ten minutes ago. He’d turn his whole life upside down and inside out because the kid had two parents who had made a series of the worst decisions ever.
    At least he wouldn’t have to figure out what ten-year-old boys were into—he hung out with Dooley, who was really an overgrown kid. Dooley and Drew were probably on exactly the same wavelength.
    “What’s up?” Kevin asked Dani as soon as the door shut behind him.
    “There’s a caseworker with the state here,” Dani said, heading for the break room. She was walking a little different now that her pregnant belly was more obvious. “It’s pretty routine when a kid’s involved in a scene like tonight, especially when someone ends up in the ER. But Heather told her that you were taking over as Drew’s guardian?”
    “I am,” Kevin said. “I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m his best option.”
    Dani smiled up at him. “Oh, I’d say you’re the perfect option, Kev.”
    “Yeah?” He wasn’t so sure about that. He could make macaroni and cheese, play any video game and build model airplanes, but beyond that he wasn’t sure what he had to offer. Dooley’s nieces loved when he danced with them because he could lift them up over his head and twirl. He didn’t think Drew would be in to that. His friends, Jessica and Ben, had a daughter but Ava was still little and thought the fact that he could talk like Cookie Monster was impressive. He wasn’t sure Drew would agree.
    “Of course,” Danika said, pushing the door to the break room open. “You’re one of the best guys I know.”
    Kevin walked through, still feeling a little dizzy. Or something. That was the second time today—within an hour—that someone had said that to him.
    A woman was seated at the round table in the middle of the room with a laptop computer open. Drew was nowhere to be found.
    “He’s with his mom in the waiting room. They have TV and hot chocolate,” Danika said before he could ask.
    He must have looked concerned because she smiled. “The cops are letting her stay here until we know for sure you’re on board. There’s some paperwork.” She gestured toward the woman at the table. “But there are cops with both Heather and your mom so there won’t be any more bloodshed tonight.”
    Kevin shook his head. He still couldn’t believe what had gone down.
    “Kevin, this is Linda Rosner. She’s with Nebraska Health and Human Services. Mrs. Rosner, this is Kevin Campbell. He’s the brother and who the mother chose as guardian.”
    The other woman was at least sixty and didn’t smile as she rose and extended her hand. “Mr. Campbell.”
    “Hi.” He shook her hand, then took the seat across from her. “What do I need to do?”
    “Because you are family and the mother has specifically chosen you to care for Drew, it’s relatively easy,” Mrs. Rosner told him. “I will be conducting a complete background check and home evaluation, but from what I understand, financially this won’t be a problem for you?”
    Kevin shook his head. “Not at all.”
    “And you’re willing and physically and mentally capable of caring for Drew?”
    “Yes.”
    “There are no other children in your