Page 25 of Healing Daddy

As they headed for the door, JJ took Leary’s hand. He flashed Leary a smile. “I promise everything will be fine. My own parents didn’t want me. Yours aren’t special.”

A laugh snorted from Leary. It was JJ’s tone. Leary swiped his hand over his mouth, trying to erase the sound a little too late. “Sorry. It was the way you said that. I don’t think it’s funny your parents didn’t want you.”

JJ wore a bright smile. “Don’t apologize. I meant for you to laugh. You’re looking a bit stressed. I was just letting you know I don’t care—”

The front door opened, and his dad stood in the entryway. “You’re early.”

The urge to roll his eyes was real. “Yet you still didn’t let me knock.” Even Leary heard how tired his dad made him.

“Knock? Nonsense, this is your home too. You don’t knock.”

That was how he did it. That right there. He knew Leary heard the insult behind being early, but ensured JJ thought he was a great dad by saying this would always be Leary’s home too. Leary was exhausted, and they hadn’t even made it inside the house.

JJ released Leary’s hand and held it out for his dad to shake. “I’m JJ.”

His dad hesitated at the sight of JJ’s bionic hand. Leary saw the moment his dad realized JJ had to be a patient of Leary’s. He shook JJ’s hand. “Mike. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

His dad took a step back. “Come in.” He looked Leary’s way. “Your mom is picking out the wine for tonight. She’ll be along.”

Of course she was. Leary smiled. “Okay.”

Mike focused on JJ again. “What does JJ stand for?”

JJ didn’t hesitate. “My full name is James Jacobs.”

“A fine name. What made you go with JJ?”

A bland smile touched JJ’s lips. “When you’re living on the streets, James doesn’t sound quite tough enough to survive.”

Leary fought a laugh.

His dad looked completely taken aback, but rallied quickly. “I imagine. We have a huge homeless problem here.” He headed toward the dining room and spoke over his shoulder. “We’ve held several discussions about what we can do to clean up the area. Clearing out camps and throwing away tents hasn’t worked.”

Leary’s gaze snapped to JJ.

JJ wore a malicious smile. Then he did something strange that caught Leary’s attention. As they passed a sideboard of various liquors, JJ touched it beneath the edge. He kept moving as if nothing had happened, but his tone changed slightly at Mike’s words.

“Yeah, that wouldn’t. That’s not solving anything. That’s just making their lives harder. If you want to make a real difference, it starts with social programs and opportunities to start over. Housing, education, job programs, and access to mental health care. Without those things, nothing will change.”

“Ha!” Mike pulled out the chair at the head of the table and sat. “Spoken like a true politician. Those things cost money. Someone has to pay for it.”

JJ shrugged. “If we can pay for golden toilet seats, wars, and supporting other countries, we can afford to take care of our own. The problem is priorities. None of you care about the people.”

Leary hoped the floor opened up and swallowed him.

His mom, Layla, strolled into the room carrying two bottles of wine. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t know everyone was here and waiting on me. Virgil said he’s made us lamb. That calls for a Merlot. I hadn’t noticed how unorganized the wine cellar has become. I’ll have to have words with someone about that.” She set the bottles on the table. Her gaze landed on JJ. “Hi. I’m Leary’s mom, Layla.”

JJ dipped his chin. “JJ.”

A bright smile lit her face. She looked Leary’s way and mouthed,wow. She didn’t try to hide it.

JJ chuckled.

Leary’s face felt hot.

Layla sat across from them. “What is it you do for a living, JJ? I don’t think Leary’s ever said.” Here it came.