Vaughn’s expression lightened; his brow released the frown and a noticeable weight fell off his shoulders. “Okay. Good. I’m sorry. It’s just…”
However, as bright as Vaughn was, he’d also been a damn good teacher. Nothing in his father’s eyes registered that Vaughn had seen or suspected anything out of the ordinary.
“…I worry.” Vaughn reached out and tugged the muddy brown hair that fell to Lyle’s collar.
His father looked at him, Lyle looked at his father, and for the life of him, Lyle couldn’t recall the last time he’d felt anything but disdain. They’d been close once. A long, long time ago. In the time before Randy. At this point, it seemed as though that time was not just a couple of years past, but centuries. Lifetimes. Eons.
“Your hair’s getting long,” Vaughn said in a voice so qu
