Read Online With Good Behavior by Jennifer Lane - Free Book Online Page B

to take the next order. This was only the first cruise of the day, but after filling drink orders for more than thirty passengers, his new job was already getting old. However, he reminded himself, it was still vastly better than prison.
    A short time later, the cruise was headed back to the dock. The last drink order had been filled, and Grant had finally earned a little respite from his duties. He stood by the stern, gazing out into the blue-green water. The ship’s engines left a churning trail behind them, and the steady hum and splashing lulled his mind into a peaceful state. The temperature on deck was at least ten degrees cooler than on land, and he shivered slightly. This would be a good day for his White Sox jacket.
    His jacket. As he had so many times in the past few days, he remembered those gorgeous mahogany eyes gazing at him, warning him to take off his Sox gear before meeting with Officer Stone.
    Her full, pink lips—inherently kissable lips. Her tall, lithe body with legs that stretched for miles—an irresistibly huggable body. Would he ever have the opportunity to get beyond their brief snatches of conversation in the courthouse hallway? He knew one activity she might enjoy: a baseball game. She was a Sox fan too.
    The affectionate glow in Grant’s eyes darkened as he thought of the first White Sox game he’d ever attended. He’d been eight years old—just him and his Uncle Joe, sitting up high, far above the field.
    His uncle’s invitation came only two weeks after his father began serving a life sentence at Gurnee, leaving Karita, Logan, and Grant Barberi to fend for themselves. Determined not to have her sons follow in their father’s criminal footsteps, Karita had promptly moved them north of Chicago to her brother Joe’s apartment at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Unfortunately, Logan refused to get on board with the change, challenging Joe’s authority at every turn.
    Between innings, young Grant had inquired, “Why can’t Lo come to the game with us? Is he in trouble for running away?”
    Joe peered down at the dark-haired, blue-eyed boy, kicking his skinny legs up and down in the black metal stadium chair.
    “Logan is not going to stay with us for now,” Joe explained.
    “What?” Grant’s voice trembled, and he blinked rapidly.
    “He’s going to live with his godfather, your Uncle Angelo.”
    “That’s where he went last night?”
    “Yes. Your mom tracked him down at Angelo’s house this morning.” Joe sighed. “Logan decided he’d rather live there. But your mom and I want you to live on the base, with us. You’ll be safe on base.”
    The crowd roared as the White Sox pitcher struck out the third batter in a row. Grant was silent for several moments before he asked, “Doesn’t Lo like me?”
    “Oh, Grant, it’s not your fault,” Joe reassured him. “Your brother loves you. If there’s anyone he doesn’t like, it’s probably me. I was pretty hard on him.”
    Joe glanced down lovingly at his younger nephew. Grant seemed awestruck by the sights and sounds of a major league baseball game. “We’ll have to make it without Logan, all right? That means you and I can go to lots of Sox games, just the two of us.”
    Grant appeared pensive. “I’m sorry. I shoulda heard Lo leave our room last night.”
    “It’s okay. Your mom didn’t hear him either.”
    “Is Mom mad at me?” the little boy asked.
    “Not at all.” They sat in amiable silence, watching the game, before Joe added sternly, “Just don’t ever let me catch  you  smoking, Grant.”
    He looked at his uncle with fear, nodding slowly. Joe reached out to hug him but pulled back with surprise when Grant visibly flinched at his approaching arm.
    “I just wanted to give you a hug!”
    “Oh – oh—okay.” Grant nodded and allowed himself to be drawn into his uncle’s arms. Joe was overcome by sadness as he held Grant, rocking him a bit.
    Thirty-year-old Grant still remembered the feel of his uncle’s