The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the schoolyard as Brad Hilton leaned against his car, watching the doors swing open. Children rushed out, their laughter filling the air, their backpacks bouncing with each step.
Then, amidst the crowd, he spotted Oliver.
The boy’s eyes lit up the moment he saw him.
“Brad!” Oliver called out, grinning as he hurried over.
Brad crouched slightly, ruffling the kid’s hair when he reached him. “Hey, champ. How was school?”
Oliver shrugged, but his smile didn’t fade. “Boring. But I scored a goal in soccer today.”
Brad feigned a dramatic gasp. “A goal? Man, I should start calling you the next Messi.”
Oliver laughed, hopping into the passenger seat as Brad opened the door for him. Once they were both in, Brad started the car, pulling o
