“I’m not asking for Mason or Logan. I don’t care about Helen. I’m not asking for any of them. I’d like to know because…” I didn’t know why. I just did.

His shoulders dropped dramatically. He closed his eyes. “I have no idea, Samantha. I really don’t.”

My heart started to pound again. Did I dare…I did. “Are you trying to work things out?”

“We’ve been separated for almost two years, but I haven’t filed for divorce. Neither has she.”

My voice was raw. “She cheated on you?”

“With my best friend. For seven years.”

I was struck silent at his omission. Seven years. He hadn’t filed for divorce after two years. Something unfolded inside of me. I looked back at the house again and reached for the door. This time I opened it, went to step out, but paused before I pulled it shut behind me. I didn’t look at him. I don’t know why, but I didn’t as I spoke. My voice was hoarse. “I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”

As I shut the door, I thought I heard a whisper, but I wasn’t sure. I thought he said “Thank you,” but it was so quiet, I could’ve imagined it. I probably did.

Then I crossed the street and knocked on their door.

Malinda threw it open. She stood there a moment. Her eyes were wide and her hand was pressed to her chest. She had rosy cheeks that matched her red fluffy sweater. Her long dark hair hung loose. There were curls in it this time and she swept it over her shoulder. “Oh my.”

I prayed the tears had dried. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

Her brown eyes sparkled in warmth, and she opened the door wider. “We thought something had come up. Come in, Samantha. Do. Come in.”

I smiled in thanks as I went inside.

Their home was welcoming. It was the first thought I had as I looked at the log cabin interior with granite countertops. She had wreaths hung everywhere with green foliage wrapped around tables, posts, railings. Her couches were red as well. I was struck by the living room. There was a table that was made from tree trunks.

She touched my hand. “We’ve started to eat, dear, but there’s plenty left.”

“Does David…” I started to turn around.

“He knew you were invited and he’ll be delighted that you came.” She gave me a reassuring pat on the arm and urged me forward.

My feet were clumsy. I hoped I wouldn’t fall. Everyone was silent as they saw us. My father rose in the next second and crossed the room in two steps. He wrapped his arms around me and lifted me in the air. His hand brushed the back of my head in a petting motion. “I’m happy you came, Samantha.”

I hugged him back and whispered, “Can I sit by you?”

He laughed. “Of course, you can. I’ve missed you.”

“David, let the girl go. You’ll squeeze a rib out of her.” Malinda was all smiles, gesturing to an open chair. It was beside his.

“Oh, come on, Malinda. You greet Mark the same way every time he comes home from school. You’re one to talk,” David grumbled, but the grin never faded from him. He held open the chair for me and I sat, grateful Becky was on the other side. She gave me a bright smile and squeezed my knee.

Malinda laughed as she sat. “I love my boy. What can I say?”

“Mom,” Mark groaned. “Come on.”

“What?” She winked at him and fluttered her eyelashes. “You’re so handsome. I have to take my hugs when I can get them. Pretty soon, you’re going to be hugging some other girl and I’ll have to fight her for you.”

Her eyes twitched as she glanced at Amelia, but the look was gone in a flash. I blinked and wondered if I imagined that as well? And then she held a bowl of salad across the table to me. “Here you go, Samantha. Eat up. We’ve already started on our first course. Would you like a glass of wine?”

“Malinda.”

She rolled her eyes and stood. “It’s sparkling wine, David. The girl can have one glass.”

“Well, maybe one.” David shook his finger at me. “But only one. I wouldn’t want your mother saying that I’m a bad influence on you.”

“I think we can all agree that she has no grounds for those accusations.” I blushed and ducked my head. “And I think mom would agree with that too.”

Something switched in him, and he was all smiles. The wall had fallen, if there’d been one. He reached over and squeezed my hand on the table. His voice was gruff. “It’s good to have you here, Sam.”

I squeezed back. “I agree.” And I sent a silent thank you to Garrett. I wouldn’t have come if he hadn’t helped me. How he did, I had no idea, but I knew he did.

“So, Sam.” All smiles, Amelia refilled her wine after Malinda had filled mine. “Where’s Mason and Logan? I wondered if they would come too.”

David sat up straighter beside me as I gave her a polite smile. “They have a challenger’s game tonight.”

“That’s right.” Mark perked up. “They always play Roussou, don’t they? I can’t believe they play them in their challenger game. Talk about violent.” He grimaced before he reached for the mashed potatoes and lifted a spoon full of them. “These are great, mom.”

She beamed at him. “Thank you, honey. Who’s Roussou?”

Amelia snorted. “Only their fiercest competitor in sports. If they could kill each other on the court, they would.”

“Honey, do we play Roussou?”

David’s smile was strained. He busied himself with the carrots. “They’re a level above us.”

“Oh. They are?”

“We’re a private school.” Adam was the epitome of a professional diplomat. Fake smile and fake charm. Malinda bought it all the way. “We play Fallen Crest Public because we attend schools in the same town. It was a friendly competition drawn up a long time ago, but FCP is larger. They play in the league above us.”

Cassandra had been watching the conversation. She lifted a shoulder now and cooed at the hostess. “They wanted Adam to play for them. They wanted him to attend their school too. Did you know that?”

Malinda’s smile slipped a notch. “From what I’ve heard, the Kade brothers are assets to their team, but better for us. We need you, Adam. You’re our star quarterback.”