Still, my pride flares.
“I didn’t have anywhere else to take him.”
“I know.”
“I would never have brought him here if I had another choice.”
“I know that too.”
My throat tightens. “Then why say it like that?”
“Because if I soften it, the men will pretend we can make this building child-friendly by hiding the guns higher and telling everyone not to cuss before breakfast.”
From the hall, Derby’s voice drifts in. “That ain’t realistic.”
I startle.
Sophie rolls her eyes. “You said you were off enjoying coffee.”
“I did.”
“Then why are you in the hall?”
“Because I came back.”
“Were you listening?”
“No.”
“You answered too quickly.”
Derby steps into view with a coffee mug in one hand and a face that says he has no intention of apologizing for existing near a conversation. “I heard enough to agree with the part where pretending this place is fine for the kid is stupid.”
August looks up from his plate. “I like jail.”
I close my eyes. “Don’t say that at school.”
“I don’t go to school here.”
Derby mutters, “Kid’s got us there.”
Sophie folds her hands in her lap. “Last night was emergency shelter. Today needs a better plan. August needs quiet. Space. A place where he isn’t sleeping above a bar full of outlaws, weapons, and whatever Royal considers normal conversation.”
“That could be anything,” Derby says.
“Exactly.”
I set my coffee down because my hands are shaking. “I can find a motel.”
“No,” Sophie and Derby say at the same time.
The room goes quiet.
They look at each other.
Sophie lifts one brow.
Derby looks annoyed. “What? A motel’s a terrible idea.”