Vengeance (Oak Grove Suspense Book 1) by Reese A Stephens Page A

understand. This time though, she leans up on her tiptoes, wraps her arms around my neck, and kisses me before I can move. I smile as I kiss her. “Knew I’d wear you down.”
    She laughs and slaps me. “You’re so arrogant. I’m not worn down, but I’ll admit my feelings for you are just as strong as they always were. A kiss, a simple kiss like we just shared, is okay on occasion, but I can’t go farther yet.”
    I nod. “I get it. I do. I’ll wait. You’re worth waiting for, Shayla.” I pull her close again and kiss her. It’s sweet, soft, and slow. See, I can follow rules.
    “Ryan!” she squeals as my hand dips down to her butt.
    All right, maybe I can’t be good, but she’s laughing so I know she’s not angry with me. I give her the crooked grin I know she loves as I gather the supplies she’s prepared for Dylan and I.
    ~*~
    “I said run!” I yell into the megaphone as the football team makes their laps around the field. Half of them are barely moving.
    “They were just as pitiful yesterday. We’ll never beat Central at this rate,” Trent Mathews, the other assistant coach, says.
    “Titans, get your butts moving!” I shout again, bringing my drill sergeant voice out a little more.
    We make them run for another ten minutes, then I about kill them with drills. By the end of practice, the boys are barely moving.
    “A few more weeks of this and they’ll be ready for that game,” I tell Mathews.
    “Heck, yeah. It’s not until September fifteenth. They’ll be in good shape by then. Hey, did you hear they have a candidate for coach?”
    “No, who?”
    Mathews snorts. “Some ex-football player. I don’t think he’s very well-known because he was hurt his first year. His name is Grant Hamby. I’ve never heard of him. Have you?”
    I shake my head. “Nope, can’t say that I have. Maybe that’s what this team needs though.” He nods in agreement, but doesn't say more.
    I wrap my arm around my tired son. “Good job, Dylan.”
    He glares at me. “You’re evil. The guys all hate me now.” I throw my head back, laughing loudly. He weakly shoves me.
    “A few more weeks of this and you’ll be just fine. You’re not that out of shape.”
    He snorts. “I’m nowhere near as fit as you.”
    “Yeah, but I was in the Marines and FBI. I trained for years, still do. You’ll get there. I can help if you want.”
    “Heck yeah.” He immediately perks up.
    “I have all the equipment we need at my house. You’re welcome anytime, even if I’m not home.”
    “Seriously?” he asks surprised.
    I nod. “Of course. You’re my son. I know you don’t live with me, but consider the house yours. I have a spare room that we can fix up for you. You can stay over anytime.”
    “What about tonight?” he asks.
    I’m a little taken aback so I sputter. “S... sure, yeah. If your mom doesn’t mind.”
    “I’ll ask her. I just thought it’d be easier, since practice is at six in the morning.”
    I nod, he’s probably right. I’m just worried about what Shayla will say. I mean, he’s my kid too. But I’m not sure she’s ready for this step. They’ve only been back a couple of weeks.
    I drop Dylan off at home and head into the station. I have a ton of paperwork to file and a few things to check out in the next county over. Apparently, there’s been a string of break-ins. The local police have no leads and they’ve asked that I come and help out. I’m about half way through my paperwork when Shayla calls my cell.
    “Hey, babe.”
    “Hi. So … uh, Dylan called me. He asked if he could stay with you tonight.”
    “Oh, yeah. He mentioned that in the car. Are you okay with that?”
    She sighs. I brace myself for the worst. “Can I be honest with you?”
    “Always.”
    “I’m nervous about it. I mean, I know he’ll be safe. That’s not the issue. It’s just, it’s always been me. Now, he has you, and I’m happy, but a part of me feels like I’m losing him. That’s silly, I