Cody (Robinson’s Lost Boys #1)

Chapter One

TJ

The sun shone brightly; a few clouds scattered across the blue sky.

A gentle breeze moved the leaves on the trees, the flowers that had been planted in the spring swaying too.

The grass was lush and green, a few drops of water still glistening on them from the sprinklers, which had stopped spraying just before the party had started.

Soft music played from inside the house, the patio doors open, so it drifted into the garden.

TJ Redding stood in the corner of the garden watching people mill around, talking, smiling, laughing.

With the sun shining overhead, TJ had found a nice, shaded spot to stand in and drink his soda.

Sighing softly, he closed his eyes and listened to the birds chirp as they nested in the trees then opened them when he heard his name called.

Glancing around the garden, he watched his ex-wife Toni Paarman waddle over to him.

At eight months pregnant, she was more than ready to give birth, and he did feel some sympathy for her.

The day was unusually warm, and he could only imagine how she felt carrying the extra pregnancy weight.

Toni had piled her long, light blonde hair on her head, and when she reached him, her hazel eyes had a hint of mischief in them.

“I’m not having any more, TJ. If I ever say to you ‘I’m broody’, shoot me.”

Smiling, TJ asked, “How does Carter feel about it?”

“That man is so laid back I could walk over him, and he wouldn’t react, which means he’s perfect for me, as you know, and if I said no more, he’d agree with me.”

“Where are the boys?” Toni and he had two boys, Arthur, eight soon to be nine, and Lincoln, who’d just turned seven. They both lived with Toni and Carter, Toni’s husband. TJ had them every weekend he could, but as deputy sheriff, sometimes they had to move days around.

For a long time, TJ had tried to make the marriage work, but when he had realized he was gay, he’d sat Toni down and told her.

She’d been furious at first, but eventually calmed down and asked him how they were going to sort everything out.

Their divorce had been amicable. In fact, they’d sat talking as their lawyers did their thing, as did the judge, who knew TJ from his job.

“Carter took them inside for some ice cream. He said he’d get us both some as well.”

“Did I tell you I love your husband?”

Toni giggled and then elbowed TJ. “You can’t have him. He’s mine.”

“And who introduced you?” TJ asked, his eyebrow raised.

“You didn’t introduce us. You set us up on a blind date and I’ll love you forever for doing it.”

“You bitched at me.” TJ sipped his soda, then rubbed the short blond hairs at the back of his neck. “So did Carter.”

“And look at us now.” TJ had known Carter for a couple of years, since TJ’s job had brought him into Carter’s workplace and they’d become friends. After their divorce, and Carter’s relationship ended, TJ had set them up on a blind date. A year later, they married, and TJ had been Carter’s best man.

They worked well together for the boys, and were close.

So close, TJ was often at their house and was the first person they’d told when Toni had found out she was expecting.

They were lucky. Some families split and hated each other, but the three of them were good friends and it helped where the boys were concerned.

They knew they were loved, whoever they were with.

“Did you go on that date with that man from the bank?”

Wincing, TJ said, “No. I went to ask him, then saw him picking his nose and eating it. That put me off.”

Toni screwed up her face. “Eww. If you’re going to do at least do it somewhere private.”

TJ chuckled, soft crinkles forming at the corners of his green eyes. “He examined it too, before eating it.”

Toni mimed vomiting. “Stop. I’m pregnant.”

Carter appeared, carefully balancing several bowls of ice cream, and when he reached them, passed them out. “Cody’s here,” he murmured as he ran a hand over his short black hair. His light blue eyes glanced back to the house, then back to them, and he raised his eyebrows, then pursed his lips.

Cody Paarman was Carter’s nephew, his brother Cass’ son.

Recently, he’d become argumentative, wouldn’t listen to anybody, often disappeared at night.

He looked rough as well. Long, badly dyed, stringy hair, the bleach blond appearing a dull yellow.

Skinny too, clearly underweight but he refused to listen to anyone when they tried to talk to him.

Cass had put it down to teenage rebellion, but TJ believed there was more to it.

Cody was fifteen, soon to be sixteen, and TJ knew the signs of someone who drank heavily and did drugs, but he couldn’t prove anything. Cass wouldn’t listen, even when Carter had tried to talk to him about Cody’s downward spiral.

“How does he seem? Do we need to take the boys and go?” Toni asked, her hand rubbing her stomach.

That was another thing. Cody had outbursts. He would kick and scream and hurl abuse. A number of times they’d had to leave, taking the boys with them. A couple of times, TJ had offered to take Cassandra, Cody’s younger sister, but Cass and his wife Emily would refuse.

“He’s quiet. For now.” Carter ate his ice cream. “I gave him some food.”

“He needs to eat more. I don’t understand why they aren’t getting him some form of therapy. He’s having mental health issues.”

“I tried, Toni, but they refused. Hell, even TJ tried using his work to give them some facts about how bad it can get, but they won’t listen.”

“Is his behavior because he’s gay or is their behavior because he’s gay?” TJ asked. He’d been there when Cody had come out and it hadn’t gone down well. Things appeared to have settled, but TJ knew looks could be deceiving.

“They tell me they’ve adapted.” Carter placed his still full bowl on the table and folded his arms over his chest. “They’re not telling me everything.”

“They won’t. Not if they’re having real issues.” TJ watched Cody step outside and stop when he saw them. “Has he lost more weight?” Even from a distance, it looked like Cody was slimmer than the last time TJ had seen him.

Carter snorted. “They said it’s a thyroid issue.”

“Not fucking likely,” Toni muttered. She held her hand up when Carter opened his mouth. “I know they’re your family, but he only started being like this after he came out.”

“I was about to agree with you.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Carter smiled at Toni when she spoke and kissed her softly. “I’m worried.”

Putting his arm over her shoulders, Carter kissed her temple. “Me too.”

“I could try something through work.” TJ shrugged. “He’s not family, though, so I don’t know.”

“They’d only refuse. I love my brother, but we’re very different men. I would move mountains for any of you, but he puts the walls up instead of talking.”

“Cody! Get in here!”

“Well, that was short-lived,” Carter murmured. “Better get the boys.”

“He was doing nothing,” Toni muttered. “Why couldn’t Cass leave him alone?”

“I don’t know.” Carter sighed, then they all winced when Cody screamed ‘fuck you’ across the lawn.

Toni placed her hand on Carter’s arm. “I’ll get the boys ready to go. You two see if you can diffuse the situation.”

TJ followed Carter over to Cody, who now stood facing Cass.

Cass Paarman looked like his brother, Carter.

Tall and slim, with short black hair. His blue eyes narrowed as he glared at Cody.

“I told you to tidy your bedroom. It’s a mess, Cody.

Food and bottles scattered everywhere, and dirty clothes strewn about. When was the last time you showered?”

“Cass. Give Cody a minute, yeah?”

“This is a private matter between me and my son, Carter. The party is over. I’ll speak to you later.”

“Yeah, better do what Cass tells you. Don’t want him to lose his shit and do something.” Cody glared at Cass. “Never know what he’ll do.”

“Has Cass done something to you?” TJ stepped closer to Cody.

“Get out, TJ, this has nothing to do with you. You’re not family,” Cass snapped.

Cody jumped up. “Don’t you speak to him like that.”

Cass pushed Cody back and TJ stepped in between them. “Stop now.”

“Fuck off, TJ—”

“TJ is deputy sheriff, Cass. You have just committed assault against Cody. Be careful.” Carter stood in front of Cass, his back to TJ and Cody, forming a barrier.

TJ looked Cody over then asked softly, “Are you okay?”

Cody’s bloodshot dark blue eyes met his then flickered away. TJ placed a hand on his shoulder, then dropped it when he felt how slim Cody was. He could feel his shoulder bones through his dirty T-shirt. “When did you last eat?”

“His mother cooked for him yesterday. It’s probably still on a plate in that pigsty of a room.”

“Ignore him,” TJ murmured. “What did you last eat?” TJ’s eyes traveled over Cody’s slim frame, the dirty clothes smelling like he’d been wearing them for days.

Stains covered them, and when TJ raised his eyes to Cody’s, he was surprised to see them shimmer with unshed tears.

Cody pushed past TJ and ran inside the house.

Cass followed, and TJ stood next to Carter, listening to them scream at each other.

“I don’t need to tell you that this won’t be helping.”

“They said this isn’t about him being gay. It’s about his behavior. He won’t do what he’s told. He goes out drinking and they suspect he’s doing drugs, too. Cass suspects he’s taken money as well.” Carter rubbed a hand over his face. “There’s more going on.”

“They need to get him into some form of therapy.” TJ winced when he heard more screaming erupt. “He needs counseling before he gets worse.”

“We know that, but he refuses, and it’s a difficult conversation to have with Cass.” Carter shook his head, “You know how closed off Cass can be about these things.” A heavy sigh, then he said, “Let’s go.”

Carter walked around to the front of the house with TJ and the voices diminished. “Has he been physical with Cody before?”

“I have never seen him hit Cody, but I guess we all have our limit. He shouldn’t have done it, and I’ll talk to him when everything has calmed down. He won’t be in the mood to talk about it tonight.”

“No, I imagine he won’t be, but this has alarmed me.

A push is usually the beginning. It can get worse.

I’ve seen situations like this escalate to where a child is beaten to death.

I’m not saying Cass will do the same, but this has been going on for several months now and we all have a breaking point.

They’re refusing to go to therapy, so are dealing with this every day with no help. At some point, a parent can snap.”

“I know what you’re saying, and I agree with you. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. I’m as concerned as you are.”

Toni stood by the side of their car, and TJ went over to talk to the boys. “You both okay?”

“Why is Cody moody, Dad?” Arthur asked.

Reaching out, TJ ruffled Arthur’s dark blond hair. “I don’t know, but we’re going to find out.” TJ looked at Toni and Carter. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Carter helped Toni into the car, then got in.

TJ walked over to his own truck and waved as they drove past. Getting in, he sat in the driver’s seat and waited.

He briefly considered going back inside to check on Cody, but he wasn’t family.

His ex-wife marrying Cody’s uncle didn’t make him family at all, but they all got on well, so he tended to be invited when they had gatherings like this.

It hadn’t always been like that. When Cass had found out TJ was gay, he’d been stiff around him, but Carter had spoken to Cass and now he appeared to be fine.

Appeared. TJ wasn’t convinced, and now with Cody being gay as well, and seeing how Cass had reacted to that news…

yeah, he wasn’t convinced. Again, there was only so much he could do.

Even if he wanted to do more, he couldn’t.

He had to leave it to Carter. He didn’t want to involve police and cause problems if he’d read the situation wrong.

His phone rang, and he saw Mom on the screen. Smiling, he answered. “Mom. How are you and Dad?”

His parents, Mary Jayne and Bobby, were in their sixties but fit and active with a wide social circle.

They were always out and about, meeting friends or attending parties.

They had a more active social life than TJ, but he was glad for that, too.

The more active you were in your golden years, the better.

TJ had been a surprise baby. After years of trying, they’d given up, then in their forties he’d come along. A much wished-for baby, he’d never felt that his parents had been too old to have him. Some days he thought they were fitter than he was.

“We just got back, dear. We’ve been at Agatha’s for some food. We’re trying to keep her busy after Bert passed. How has your day gone? Did you go to Cass’ house? How are Toni and the boys? Did Carter get that promotion?”

TJ smiled and told Mary Jayne everything that had happened. When he reached the part about Cody, she told him he needed to sit down with the young man and give him some words of advice. Words Bobby echoed. “We know how hard it was for you, and you were an adult, son.”

TJ agreed, then spent a few more minutes talking to them before ending the call and driving home, trying to think of a way to help Cody that Cass wouldn’t think was TJ interfering.

By the time he’d reached home, he still didn’t have an answer, but he was at work the next day, so he intended to spend some time researching and once he had enough information, he would speak to Cass.

Hopefully, Cass would listen.