Chapter 78

Leighton

"Thanks for picking me up and dropping me off."

I glance over at Caleb, giving him a soft smile. He looks older than his fifteen years, but he's had to grow up quick, just like I did. From what I've been able to gather, Mason's been a single dad for at least the past thirteen years, and I'm not sure if Caleb's mom is alive or not. They don't talk about her much; no one talks about her at all, to be honest.

"Not a problem. You know I don't mind helping out if you need it. Do you work tomorrow?"

I waitress at The Café, and Caleb helps in the kitchen and busses the tables. It's not much work, but he does it, and does it well. Mason's instilling a good work ethic in the kid, and I can't help but admire it. I wish I had come by my own work ethic the way he is, and not by helping out with the family business as a teenager.

He nods, a yawn cracking his jaw. "Yeah, I'm gonna be there after football practice. So I'll be working later than you will be," he explains as he grabs