Read Finding Eden for Free Online

to do it. “I thought you were done at seven.”
    “Is it seven?” Paul asked, lifting his head to look at Danny. “Already?”
    Danny gave him a wan smile. “Seven done past twenty minutes ago, Paul Guy. I have other things to do besides be your chauffeur.”
    “Shoot.” Paul gave Danny a guilty look as he rolled over, forcing the two boys on his back to go tumbling into the grass. “Let’s get our equipment! Go, go, go!”
    “Awww,” they whined in unison.
    One boy cried out, “I don’t wanna go home.”
    “Tomorrow, Tommy,” Paul said, pushing gently at Tommy’s back as he got to his feet. “I’ll be here. You’ll be here. We’ll work on tackles. That’s always fun.”
    Danny rolled his eyes, turned his back on the field and lit a cigarette while he waited. He rubbed at his forehead with the fingers holding the cigarette, wishing he’d taken a shower before coming to get Paul. He felt dirty on a soul-deep level and it bothered him to be around Paul with Tony still all over him.
    Lost in thought, Danny suddenly felt a hot brush of breath against his neck as his cigarette was jerked from between his fingers. He spun around indignantly. “What the fuck?”
    “You can’t smoke,” Paul snapped. “Sets a bad example.”
    “I don’t work here. You don’t even work here. Where’s your good Samaritan paycheck?”
    Paul stomped on Danny’s cigarette with his cleats rather than explain. “I’ll hurry.”
    Danny rolled his eyes, now really irritated. With nothing else to do, he stared at his watch, his leg bouncing impatiently while Paul and the head coach helped the kids gather their equipment.
    Getting fifteen kids to pick up a whole field full of football equipment and then herding them inside took longer than Danny felt like waiting for a cigarette. His nerves were frayed and he ended up smoking once Paul went inside. The sunset cast an orange glow over the Tampa skyline and the air had just a hint of autumn as the temperature started to drop. If his life wasn’t such a mess, Danny would have enjoyed it. The crisp feel of autumn had always been his favorite time of year in Florida.
    “Couldn’t wait?” Paul called out as he walked up to him, a military-style duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. “Thanks for picking me up. I’m fixing the truck, I promise.”
    Danny snorted in disbelief. “You’ve been saying that for three weeks. You ain’t never fixing that piece of shit.”
    “No, I am.” Paul pulled off his blue baseball hat and ran a hand through his hair. He put it on backward, showing off a tan forehead shiny with sweat. “I just gotta find time. Football season, school and coaching, I barely have time to study. And parts cost money. My last scholarship check’s been spent. I need a job.”
    Danny tried to hold his tongue. He threw his cigarette down, stomping on it to take out his frustration as he pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Paul Guy—”
    “Don’t start,” Paul cut him off, giving Danny a look. “I know, okay? I do know.”
    “You’re broke. Why the fuck are you volunteering all your spare time away?” Danny snapped. “You aren’t the only bleeding heart in Tampa. Let someone else be assistant coach!”
    “I think we can go to the championship,” Paul said, his low, Southern drawl becoming as close to a whine as it got. “I just can’t mess that up for them. I’ll find the time and I’ll get the truck fixed. Maybe Peter can help me find some spare parts.”
    “He’s not gonna help you. He never does.” Danny opened the driver’s side door and got in. He pushed a button, unlocking the passenger side. When Paul crawled in, tossing his bag into the backseat, Danny went on, “Your brother is an asshole. You know it gives him a hard-on to say no. Fuck giving him that satisfaction.”
    “And how’s that attitude working out for ya?” Paul asked, raising his eyebrows curiously as Danny started his car. “Pride is your enemy, Danny Boy. You told your