Read Loving Cara for Free Online Page B

filed these incorrectly.”
    “I tried my best.” Seth sets his jaw and frowns.
    “I told you, it has to be perfect.”
    “I don’t care about your stupid papers.”
    “Seth,” Cara warns just as I’m about to shove to my feet. “Ty is your employer. He deserves your respect.”
    “Sorry,” Seth mumbles.
    “Overall, you did good, Seth. Thank you.”
    Seth turns to me. “Can I go to the car?”
    “Sure.”
    He rushes out of the building and Ty sighs. “That sucked. I don’t want to play the scared-straight game again.”
    Cara laughs and rubs his arm soothingly, and I suddenly want to punch my best friend in the face. “Thanks for helping.”
    Ty’s eyes are on mine, and he smiles slowly, the bastard. “My pleasure, little one.” He bends down and kisses her cheek, runs a finger down her face, and Cara gapes up at him.
    So, they’re not a couple, and Ty thinks he can have some fun with me. Bastard .
    “Let’s go.” Cara turns toward the door. “We have one more stop to make.”
    “You’re an ass,” I mutter to Ty after Cara leaves through the door.
    “I know.” He grins and then sobers. “You like her.”
    “Yeah, I like her.”
    “She’s grown up nicely.” Ty nods.
    I narrow my eyes on him again. “Why am I just now noticing?”
    “I don’t know, man.” He slaps my shoulder and holds the door open for me. “Good luck.”
    I follow Cara to the car and climb in. “Where to now?”
    “Just one more stop.” She checks the mirrors as she pulls into traffic. “How was that?”
    “Ty’s an ass,” Seth says.
    “Watch your damn mouth!” I yell before I can stop myself. “Ty is my best friend, and an adult, and you will respect that.”
    Seth crosses his arms defiantly and I sigh. “I’m sorry I yelled, but, Seth, you’ve got to stop with this disrespectful attitude.”
    “We’re here.” Cara pulls the car to the stop and I gape at her.
    “The jail?”
    She turns her amber eyes to me and nods solemnly, and I think I’m going to throw up. There is no way in hell I want my nephew in the jail. He’s only twelve years old!
    “Come on.” Cara climbs out of the car and we follow behind her.
    “Hey, Cara, Josh.” Brad Hull, one of the police detectives, meets us and greets us warmly.
    “Hey, Brad.”
    “You must be Seth,” Brad greets Seth, and shakes his hand. “I’ve heard a bit about you.”
    “Yeah, I suck.”
    I gasp and stare at Seth in shock. He does not suck. Sure, he’s a pain in the ass, but what kid isn’t?
    “Actually, that’s not what I was told.” Brad frowns down at Seth. “I’ve heard that you’re a really good kid.”
    “You did?” Seth asks skeptically. “Then why am I here?”
    “Because even good people screw up.” Brad sighs and leans against the wall, crosses his arms and ankles as he looks down at Seth. Seth’s eyes are glued to Brad’s gun. “You interested in firearms?”
    “Having a gun and a badge doesn’t make you cool,” Seth sputters, then frowns as if he’s not sure why he said that.
    “You’re right.” Brad nods thoughtfully. “They don’t make me cool. They help me to keep people like Cara safe from people like you.” The last part of the sentence is said quietly, but Seth’s face pales and tears fill his eyes, and I want to hug him tight and tell him that he’s going to be okay.
    But I wait to see where Brad’s going with this.
    “I would never hurt Cara!” Seth exclaims, and turns his sad gaze to the woman next to me. “Cara’s great.”
    “Do you think your words don’t hurt her? Or your grandparents? Or even Josh?” Brad changes his stance and tucks his hands in his pockets. “What if you get really, really mad at them?”
    “I don’t start fights,” Seth argues. “I’ve never hit anybody. I just keep to myself.”
    “But, Seth, not everybody goes to jail just because of their fists. You don’t treat anyone with respect and you are thoughtless with your words. Who’s to say that one day you