He turned. One of his hands curled over his door. “Please. I was stupid then.”

My gaze slid over his shoulder. “Are you stupid now?”

“That’s not nice, Sam.”

I shrugged.

Then the corner of his mouth curved up and he sighed. “So now you’re going tonight?”

I nodded. “What time?”

“Six.” His eyes slid over me. “Why are you running, Sam? I’m not stupid; I know this doesn’t mean good things.”

I gave him a closed grin and straightened up. “Not your problem.”

“Yeah. Right. Except that I’m your friend. We’re friends, right?” He leaned out through the window.

I shrugged again.

“Sam.”

“What?”

“Stop jerking me around. You’re okay, right? Were you really with Mason last night?”

“Yes.” I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need a third dad, you know.”

He snorted. “Might do you some good. You’re out running in this weather. It’s not all that warm, Sam.”

“That’s why I wore my winter gear.” I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

“Yeah. Okay.” He rolled his eyes this time. “You want a ride back? I was going to drop her off and head to Mark’s for breakfast. You know Malinda and her breakfast buffet. Nothing like it.”

I grinned and then I nodded. It was a slow one, but a nod nonetheless. The need for running had left when I plastered my fake smile on. It seemed all the realness in me went away at that moment and now I was back to this world, the one where no one knew my agony or pain. They couldn’t handle it.

I slid into the back and he dropped off his one-night stand first. When they pulled outside her house, a one-story rambling ranch home, I was surprised as he walked her to the front door and kissed her goodbye. Then he hopped back in and gestured to the front seat. “You want to come up here?”

I nestled further down. “I’m good.”

He snorted in disgust but turned the car around. When he parked it in front of Mark’s home, he turned the engine off and rested an arm over the back of his seat as he turned towards me. “You know, she’s real happy with this cheerleader stuff.”

I squirmed. “I know.”

“And she’s got some new friends too.” His gaze held mine. There was a somber quality to him. “You and I got there. We’re at the top, but this is her thing. She’s getting there on her own now. It would mean a lot to her if you supported that.”

“I do.” I couldn’t believe my ears. “Are you kidding me? Are you saying that I don’t support her?”

He shrugged. “You weren’t around last night, Sam. She wanted you there.”

Yes. I had lost my mind. I couldn’t have been hearing this. “Are you serious?”

He held my gaze steady.

I thrust my phone in the air. “And where was your text message? I’m sorry. Where was hers? You want me to be supportive, but it’s hard to be when I’m not clued in on what’s going on.”

“You knew what was going on—” he started to say.

“No, I didn’t! I had my own drama last night, Adam. I don’t mind-read. I can’t read yours or Becky’s. I have no idea how I’m supposed to be somewhere supporting something that I’ve not been told anything about!”

“Still.” He turned back before he climbed from his seat.

I did the same and came out the same side as him.

Adam’s jaw clenched before he shut his door. “You could’ve been there last night.”

“You’re right.” Every part of me was tense. I wanted to deck him. I was so pissed. “You’re completely right. Next time I almost get trampled in a riot and then accidentally drive to my dad’s house, I will choose to ignore the anger that came up against my mother. You’re right. It’s not about me, about my family that’s been in complete chaos. It’s about Becky. Next time I get the urge to run three hours on the treadmill, I will stop and think about Becky. I need to make sure she’s okay in her pursuit of popularity.”

I wanted to salute him but thought better of it. Instead, I clapped my heels together.

Adam watched me for a moment, but two doors opened at that moment. Malinda rushed from hers in a plush pink robe and pink pajama bottoms underneath. She hurried towards us with rosy cheeks and rubbed her hands together in front of her for warmth. The other door was Garrett’s and I glanced over. Mason came out in a white tee shirt and blue pajama scrub bottoms. They rested low on his hips. As he approached, a big yawn covered his face and he reached up to idly scratch underneath his jaw. His shoulder and arm muscles bulged from the movement. I swallowed thickly before I scooted further away from Adam.

Malinda got to the car first and her eager eyes skirted between us with anticipation. When Mason arrived beside me, at a more leisurely stroll, he rested an arm on the car behind me. I felt his body heat and he bent low to kiss my shoulder. A delicious shiver worked its way through my body. I repressed myself from moving backwards into his welcoming heat. I wanted to, badly.

Adam stood at his fullest height and his jaw clenched. Then he tore his gaze away with an audible sigh of disgust.

I didn’t look, but I knew Mason was smirking.

“Hi…” Malinda sounded breathless. Her eyes couldn’t move away from him. “I’m Mark’s mother. He went to football camp with Logan.”

Mason nodded. No sound came out.

Something melted inside of me. It didn’t make sense, but I felt protected and I scooted closer to him. He bent and kissed the side of my forehead. I felt his grin curve against my skin and one of his hands wrapped around my hipbone. He held me against him as well. His other hand held himself up as he leaned against Adam’s car.

“Well,” Malinda’s voice came out as a squeak. “I have an entire breakfast buffet in there. Adam, you’re coming. Samantha, I’d love for you to join. Mason, you are more than welcome. You must be hungry. I’ve heard about you Kade boys, what you must get up to during the night. I’m sure all those late night adventures must work up a good appetite.”

I held my breath and closed my eyes.

Mason chuckled on a dry note. ”Breakfast does sound good, but I can’t.”