Page 52 of Rescuer
“You might as well say it.”
“Have you watched the news? The coverage of the drugs in the schools and through all of Renegade?”
“I have. It sounds pretty nasty.”
“Well, there’s a new drug out. It’s extremely addictive. It’s everywhere.”
She’d heard of it. “How is it spreading so fast? Doesn’t it mess with the mind?”
“That’s putting it mildly. My guess? Someone is getting kids hooked on it, and then the kids are dealing it so they can afford to buy it to support their own habit.”
Mia shuddered. She wanted to believe such evil only existed in books and movies. But obviously, that would be naive. Especially since she knew people affected by these drugs.
Not just affected. Dying. Young people who should have had their entire lives ahead of them.
Jackson cleared his throat. “I can’t help wondering what’s happening to Dylan and Reggie. Dylan was so upset when the judge denied me custody. All he wanted was for us to be a family again.”
“What happened?” She could have kicked herself. That had to be a sore subject. “Never mind. I shouldn’t pry.”
“No. That’s okay.” How to explain? “You recall my best friend in high school? Kevin?”
“I do.”
“Well, after graduation, I enlisted in the Army. I convinced Kevin to go on one last adventure with me. He wasn’t really enthusiastic, but he went. He got hurt. His leg got mangled so bad he lost it below the knee. He lost his football scholarship.”
“Oh no! But Jackson, you can’t blame yourself. He could have said no.” Mia’s heart twisted in her chest.
“Thanks. But I shouldn’t have pushed. Anyway, even if I didn’t blame myself, his dad blamed me.”
She frowned. “I’m so sorry. But how is that related to your losing custody?”
He blew out a hard breath. “Kevin’s dad was the judge.”
Horror welled up inside her. “So he took it out on you? And Dylan?”
“Yep. I almost missed the hearing. The date was suddenly changed and the notice mailed to the wrong address. Of course, I can’t prove that wasn’t an accident.”
Mia bolted upright. The blanket fell from her shoulders. “That’s awful! Is that even legal?”
He shrugged, his arm rubbing against hers. “I don’t know, but even if it’s not, what can I do about it? Yeah, I have friends on the police force, but he’s a judge. And he’s in the middle of a campaign for a statewide office. Who do you think has more clout?”
“I don’t care! It’s not fair to punish you like this. And Dylan! What about the judge’s legal obligation?”
“Who knows? Maybe after my history with Kevin, he really believes I’m unfit.”
She heard the doubt in his voice. “You’re not.”
He didn’t respond immediately. A thick silence fell between them. “I’m surprised to hear you say that. Even a couple of days ago, I’m sure you would have agreed with him.”
She flinched at the reminder of how bitter she’d been. “I guess I’ve grown up a little in the last few days. I’ve seen for myself how much you care for him.”
Next to her, Jackson shifted. Had she made him uncomfortable with her praise?
“I wasn’t very kind to you in high school,” he said.
Her mind froze for a second. “You were a kid. So was I. I’ve held that against you long enough.”
He cleared his throat. “I appreciate that.”
