Yeah, he’d pissed off the bull. Hawk tried not to wince. “For good. It was just a favor for a friend.”

“I’m so happy you’re back.” Audrey pushed forward to give him a quick hug. “We were worried about you.”

Blondie was a fucking sweetheart. Gabe better appreciate her.

She was followed by Frankie who also hugged him before stepping back. “You have some explaining to do, I hope you know.”

“Dream on, Yorkie.”

The quirk of her full lips defeated the glare she tried to give him.

“Uncle Hawk, where’ve you been?” Regan wrapped her arms around his waist.

His heart twisted with a painful twang. “I’m back now.”

Hell, he hadn’t thought about how she might take his absence. After losing her mother, her sense of security was probably shaky.

And there was the other kid he loved, dammit.

Partway to the houses, Aric stood next to Kit, both silently watching. Tears pooled in the boy’s big eyes.

Fuck. Fuck me. He’d done what he could to keep Aric from worrying. It obviously hadn’t been enough.

Hawk went down on one knee. “Hey.”

With a heartbreaking wail, Aric ran forward, and Hawk wrapped his arms around the small body.

Crying, Aric held on for all he was worth—and burrowed right into Hawk’s aching heart.

Hawk cleared his tight throat. “I told you I’d be back.”

“You didn’t come. Didn’t, didn’t, didn’t come.”

“Took longer than I’d planned.” Remorse sliced another gash in Hawk’s chest. Time worked differently for a kid. To adults, a month was a drop in the bucket. To a kid, it was a huge part of their life. Hell. “I should’ve called. I’m sorry.”

So incredibly sorry. The pain of disappointing the boy, of hurting him, was like a knife to the gut.

Aric’s head came up. Surprise at the apology showed in the tear-filled blue eyes.

Hawk’s smile failed miserably. Instead, he used his fingers to wipe the wetness from the kid’s cheeks. “I’m home now.”

“You stay home,” Aric said firmly.

“Yeah. No more long trips.” He’d just have to suck it up and deal with the discomfort of being around a woman he wanted for more than a friend.

Wouldn’t be the first time now, would it?

“I gotta unpack.” He stood. “See you in the morning, right?”

He got another hug before Aric ran back to his mama, who was holding a stack of dirty dishes. “He’s going to stay.”

Seems someone had found himself a healthy yell. Good for you, kid.

Hawk met Kit’s gaze. Her expression was composed and cool…and her lower lip trembled. She gave him a nod, then bent to her son.

Yeah, she was establishing boundaries right from the start. He’d keep his distance.