Read Online Carolina Home by Virginia Kantra - Free Book Online Page B

Matt said mildly.
    Josh shrugged one shoulder. “Yeah, whatever.”
    Matt took a long drink of cold water.
Keep it light.
“She mentioned something I was supposed to sign.”
    “Permission slip. We’re watching some lame movie in class next week.”
    Matt thought back to yesterday’s conversation on the dock. He didn’t remember a movie. “This was some kind of contract,” he said. “On the syllabus.”
    “Oh, yeah.” Josh returned his gaze to the TV. “I took care of it.”
    That figured.
    Matt rubbed his face with his hand. The truth was, he was out on the water ten, sometimes twelve hours a day. God knew he tried to keep track of the important stuff, doctor’s appointments, basketball games. Tess, bless her,filled in where she could. But over the years they’d all learned to make accommodations for him being a single parent.
    He strolled back into the living room, blocking Josh’s view of the discussion of Carolina’s starting lineup. “You sign my name?”
    Josh eyed him cautiously. “Maybe.”
    Matt nodded. “You still have trouble forging the
h
?”
    Josh relaxed. “No, I’m good.” A corner of his mouth kicked up in a smile. “Good enough to get away with it, anyway.”
    “I’ll be the judge of that,” Matt said. “Pull it out and let’s have a look.”
    “Can’t it wait until after
Sports Center
?”
    Matt had a feeling he’d already waited long enough.
We’ve been in class now for almost three weeks and he has yet to open his mouth. Or, as far as I can tell, a book.
    Matt hit the MUTE button. “Syllabus,” he said. “Let’s see it.”
    Josh heaved an exaggerated sigh before lurching from the couch. He retrieved his backpack from beside the door and dumped it on the couch, pawing through its contents like Fezzik digging for a bone. Eventually he unearthed a slim paperback and several crumpled sheets stapled together. He flipped over the top two pages before handing them to Matt.
    Matt thumbed back to the beginning—course outline, homework policy, letter to parents, promises to students. Phrases leaped out at him until he could almost hear Allison’s earnest voice.
“Excited about working with your child…welcome your concerns…”
    “You don’t have to read it,” Josh said.
    Matt raised his brows. “That signature says I did. Let’s not make a liar out of us both.”
    Josh flushed and fell silent.
    Matt read. “
Scarlet Letter
. They still make you read that, huh?”
    Josh shifted. “Well…”
    A rap sounded on the front door. Josh wriggled like a fish on the line, preparing to slip away.
    “Stay put,” Matt said and went to open the door.
    Luke stood on the stoop, his face in shadow. “Got a minute?”
    Matt glanced over his shoulder at Josh. “Now?”
    Luke held up a six-pack. “I brought beer. I thought we could go out on the boat.”
    “Cool,” said Josh.
    “Not you,” Matt said. “Can we do this later?” he asked Luke.
    Luke grinned. “If you don’t mind warm beer.”
    Despite his brother’s cocky smile, his voice was strained. Luke never had been any damn good at asking for help. Tromping across the yard, six-pack in hand, was as close as he could come to a distress call.
    Tension knotted Matt’s neck.
    “I’ll get my keys.” He cocked a finger at Josh. “You stay here. TV stays off.”
    “So what do I do while you’re gone?” Josh asked, aggrieved.
    “Find that permission slip I’m supposed to sign.” Picking up the paperback, Matt tossed it to his son. “And catch up on your reading.”
    T HE NIGHT BREEZE ruffled the silver bay as the old
Sea Lady
rocked at anchor. Water lapped the side of the boat.
    Luke tipped his head back against the seat. The moonlight bleached his fair hair, emphasizing the bones of his skull and the shadows under his eyes. His face, pale and skeletal, motionless under the moon, dug at Matt’s chest like a hook biting hard.
    Luke had lost a lot of weight in Afghanistan. He looked gaunt. Older.
    Shit.
    Matt popped