Counting Paths

Chapter 14.

He splashes me with water much larger than my splash with his big hand. "Of course."

Roland

# # #

Kevin and I finish our second and third-second for me, third for him-beers as Sterling floats around the shallow end of the pool. It took her half an hour to learn how to float, poor kid is more tensed than any thirteen-year-old girl should be, but after talking to her and calming her down, she eased into the water with no issue. I wish I had thought of showing her the pool sooner. But I would've bet good money, with her little curiosity cat side, she had found the pool already.

"Be honest, she's the reason why you want us to start over, right?" Kevin asks me in a hushed voice. After I felt good enough to leave Sterling alone, Kevin and I sat on the edge of the pool.

"She reminded me that you were there for me growing up," I admit. "And you're still there for me."

He finishes his beer. "Are you serious about her?"

I furrow my brows. "She's thirteen."

"Why did your mind take that turn?"

"Because I don't know what you mean."

"Is she still going to be here in three or four months?"

I peer down at the bottle in my hand. It's almost empty. I have the urge to grab another one but it's not as strong as before. "Yeah..." I put my bottle down. "I hope so." Good things tend to leave me sooner than bad things.

Sterling attempts to swim to us. Her head goes under a couple of times but she reaches us with a smile. She holds on to the pool wall between us and tries to kick her feet. "Can I have a beer?" She asks me.

"You are literally mad," I tell her.

She stands in the water. "I never had a beer."

I grab my bottle and bring it to my lips as I say, "well, then you have something to look forward to when you're twenty-one." I take a sip.

"You're cruel."

I smile. "Go swim."

Before she can move away, the doors to the pool room swing open, and Russell steps inside, shouting, "hey, boss?!"

"I'm right here."

"There's someone here to see you."

Luna follows not far behind Russell and I almost drop my beer. "You told me to come here, so I'm here," she tells me.

"Kevin, make sure Sterling doesn't follow us," I order him as I stand up.

"Is that her?" Luna asks, pouting at Sterling's as I approach her. I don't stop. I grab her arm and pull her towards the door. "What the hell are you doing?!" She exclaims angrily. "Let me go!" I drag her into the hall and slam the door behind us. She slaps me. And I release her. A deep growl builds in my throat and rips through my clenched teeth. "That doesn't work on me, Roland. What the hell are you going with that little girl and why is covered in bruises?"

"They're healing."

"Are you fucking stupid? That doesn't-"