“So it matters if she has money? I don’t see how that makes a difference.”

My dad glares as he says, “Because I would like to know. Can I ask a question without being questioned by you?”

I grit my teeth as I stare at my plate. I refuse to fight with him in front of Claire. I may have told her we weren’t normal, but I don’t want her to think we’re insane.

“My uncle pays for my college,” Claire answers suddenly. “He plays for the Nashville Assassins.”

Looking up, I see my dad is interested. “Is that right? Who is he?”

“Phillip Anderson, number thirty-three.”

“Wow, that’s supercool!” Jace says. “Do you know the whole team?”

She nods. “Yeah, they are basically family.”

“That’s so cool!” Jace gushes as Jayden rolls his eyes. “I’m a huge Shea Adler fan.”

“He’s a supergreat guy, funny too. Maybe one day we can all go to a game. We can sit in my Aunt Elli’s box. Does Angie like hockey yet?” she asks Lucy as she tickles Angie’s neck.

She giggles as Lucy says, “You know it. She’s a Sinclair. There is no other way but loving hockey.”

“I approve going to the box. Please, Jude. Man, come on,” Jace says, looking at me as I give him a dark glare.

“Shut up,” I say, but Claire looks back at me.

“It’s fine. I’ll set something up, and I’d love for all of you to come.”

Everyone smiles, nodding, and I like that they are getting along, but then my dad clears his throat and I wish he would just disappear.

“So what are you going to school for, Claire?”

Looking at my dad, she answers, “Business.”

“So you want to start your own business?”

“Yeah, or take over my aunt’s. She’s the owner of Reese Allen’s Dance Company.”

He nods. “I know of that studio. I have colleagues who take their children there.”

“Maybe I know them. I work there now.”

“Hmm, so you’re a dancer?”

“I am.”

“Interesting,” he says, and I want to scream. What the hell does that mean? And why the hell do I care if he doesn’t like her! I fucking do, and that’s all that matters.

“And I assume you are good at it since you want to run the business?” my mom asks.

“I am. Not to toot my own horn, but I’m a national champion. I have seven classes that I teach, and right now I’m doing the choreography for the Bullies’ dance team,” she says, her face glowing with pride.

“Thank God. They kinda suck,” Jayden says, and Claire laughs.

“Used to suck,” she says with a wink.

“She’s spectacular, Mom, really good,” I say, and Claire smiles back at me, making my heart pick up speed.

“That’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see you perform. At the opening, I assume?” she asks, and I nod.

“Yes, ma’am. We do the halftime show.”

“I can’t wait! How exciting, watching my babies kick some hockey butt, and then I get to watch you. It’s going to be great,” she says, and I love how excited she is. Everyone is grinning, happy, and I’ve never felt so completely whole in my life. I want to gather Claire in my arms and tell her that she makes me the happiest guy in the world. I mean, my family is eating her up. I knew they would, but still, it’s comforting knowing that she fits in here. That everyone loves her.

“So is that your real hair color?” my dad asks, and everyone’s smile falls as Claire glances over at him.

Okay, I take that back, everyone except my dad likes her. He seems to be hell-bent on ruining this evening.

“No, it’s not. I’m a blonde, but I like to spice things up, and I think the red is more me than blond,” she says.

“It’s a little bold, but then again, Jude has some kind of fauxhawk, Mohawk, crazy crap going on on his head. I guess we should be thankful you’re not covered in tattoos and piercings,” he says, and I swear my blood pressure is through the roof.

Not able to take it anymore, I say, “Wouldn’t have mattered if she was ’cause you’ve been dead set on not liking her from the moment she set foot in this house.”

“Jude Marshall, please,” my mom stresses. “Not in front of our guest.”

“Tell him to stop talking to her like she is the shit on his shoes and I’ll be fine, Mom. I’m not going to sit here and listen to this. We can leave.”

“No, not at all,” Mom says loudly and then looks at my dad. “Mark, that’s enough. Be nice or you can leave.”

Dad scoffs while all of us are wide-eyed, looking at my mother. She’s never talked to my dad like that. “You aren’t going to kick me out of my own house.”

“The hell I won’t,” my mom sneers, and I swear you could hear a pin drop, it’s so quiet. I watch as my parents stare into each other eyes, nothing but heat and anger in their gaze, and I know that something really wrong is going on.

Knowing that I’ll have to wait to find out, I look over at Claire. “Told ya we aren’t a normal, happy family.”

Thankfully it’s still warm enough to ride home on the bike since I need the ride to calm down. After a very tense dinner, I was ready to go, but Claire insisted on helping my mom clean up, and I’m glad she did. They bonded some more, and afterward, my mom hugged her tightly, saying she hoped Claire would come back. I thought she would say hell no, but when she looked into my mom’s eyes and said, “I’d love to,” I knew she was telling the truth. I saw it in her eyes, and I’d like to think she wouldn’t lie to my mom.

When I get on the road to the Bullies’ house, I see that it is packed with cars, making me remember that there’s a party since we don’t have practice tomorrow morning. Coach had to go out of town, so we’re supposed to do a skate on our own. Because of that, the guys wanted to have some people over. Pulling up beside her Roadster, I shut off the bike and get off, taking my helmet off as she does the same. When I hear loud music playing, I look at the house and can see the shadows of people in the backyard. They are loud and I know that soon campus police will be called if I don’t go in there and shut them up.