Lyle was lost in thought as they walked out of the hospital. He’d mostly been thinking about how he still stank of pee and how that hadn’t seemed embarrassing until they’d left Mrs. Connor behind. He was a million miles away mentally, and damn near had a heart attack when his father dropped an arm over his shoulder.
When Vaughn spoke, he whispered. “I’m sorry your plans got messed up.”
The comment surprised Lyle as much as the touch had. “Don’t be,” Lyle told him. “I’m not sorry. A little bummed, sure. But a guy is just a guy. Family first, right?”
Vaughn’s throat clicked so hard that Lyle thought he was choking. Lyle slowed, eying his father. “Dad?”
“I tried, Lyle.” Vaughn’s eyes burned into Lyle’s with so much emotion that Lyle was shocked into silence. “I really did.”
Lyle frowned.
