Chapter 68

Nick

"You're sure it's okay for him to stay tonight?"

My mom grins as she takes hold of Darren's hand, welcoming him into their home. "It's more than okay. We're gonna have so much fun, you and Kels have a great time."

We've never left him alone for the whole night, but after the last few months, we kinda feel like we deserve a night out. I go back to work in three weeks, and I know better than anyone how much time I'll have to be putting in. Everyone has covered for me while I've been away, and I'll only want to put in that same time for my coworkers.

"Be good for them," I kneel down. "If you get scared or anything, you can call either one of us, I promise. We'll come to get you."

On the way over, he'd confided in me he'd never spent the night with anyone before like this.

He nods. "Okay."

"He'll be fine," Dad says as he comes into the living room, covered in saw dust. "I'm gonna show him my shop."

"You're in for a treat D-man, he showed me his shop when I was about