Page 23 of Prospect Year

“Carley said you wanted to see me.”

Lola wanted to answer the man behind him. He tried, but nothing came out. He had never in his life been at a loss for words. His father was right before him, and he couldn’t look away.

“Sorry, ma’am. I don’t know sign language. If you slow down, maybe I can help.”

Lola smiled. Of course, Mia jumped right in to help. He turned toward them. “Hi. I’m Tim Baur, and this is Mia. I was told I might find some answers here.”

The owner chuckled. “Well, I don’t know how I can help, but let’s see.”

“The original owners. Are they still around?”

“You got him. Well, I didn’t own it then, but my parents did. My brother and I run it now.”

“Can you tell me anything about the people in this photo?” Lola twisted back toward the wall pointing out the specific photo.

The owner walked close and studied it a moment. “That’s been a minute ago. But I remember.” He tapped a face. “That’s me. That’s my brother. I believe this was taken after a football game.”

Lola’s felt all the built-up anxiety of the day fade from his body. “Can you tell me about anyone else there?”

The man grinned and lifted the frame from its hook. “Sure can. Let’s have a seat.” He glanced at the photo then back toward Lola. “I believe I see what you’re searching for.”

Yeah. The resemblance wasn’t Lola’s imagination. He settled into a booth next to Mia.

The owner began naming each person. The last two he identified as Anja Baur and Ayden Monroe.

They had hit gold. This was all the evidence Lola needed. Mac was the teenager in the photo with his mother. Lola did look like Mac. And he was named after him. Timon Ayden Bauer.

They sat at the bright red table, traveling through the past with the owner for a lengthy time. Lola took in every detail of his stories involving his parents. Football games. Hanging out in the parking lot on the weekends. Sharing music and the constant competition for the loudest sound system. The last he knew of them, Ayden had signed up for duty and shortly after that, Anja just stopped coming in. He said he thought she had left to be with him.

No doubt he had discovered the truth. At least part of it. But the truth only brought more questions.

Chapter 11

Lola’s jaw ached as he pulled onto the clubhouse grounds. His teeth clenched so hard that he thought one could crack from the pressure. He didn’t want to be here. He had been fortunate enough to avoid Mac for nearly a week. But today was church and he had no choice in the matter. His time had run out. Mac would demand an explanation of the ignored calls and texts.

Lola rolled to a stop beside the clubhouse. His gaze shot right to Mac the moment he pushed his kickstand to the ground. He knew it was inevitable, but the wounds were still raw. The lies and deceit cut deep.

He stepped from his bike and scanned the faces of the brothers scattered near the building. He cut his eyes back toward Mac sitting on the picnic table and strode past him.

“You’re gonna have to face me some time,” Mac called out, pushing to his feet but staying rooted next to the table, his hands resting on his hips in his usual domineering stance.

Lola pulled to a stop mid-step and rocked back on his heels and sucked in a deep breath. Nothing good could come from confronting him here. He glanced quickly toward the brothers near the building, who were well aware of Mac’s challenge, seeing how loudly he spoke. Did they know of Mac’s lies? Had they been a part of them? Fire burned in his chest. He clenched his jaw until a shiver shot down his body. He spun on his heels and glared toward Mac.

“We need to talk,” Mac demanded.

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Well, then you can listen,” Mac said, closing the gap between them.

Lola could see the small group ease their way toward the other picnic table. They were curious. He knew it. They were brothers and they were tight, but they also didn’t know when to keep their noses out. Nothing he could do about that now. They would know soon enough, if they didn’t already. He turned his attention back to Mac.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Mac stated, again urging Lola to acknowledge him.

“No shit,” Lola spat, then on the release of a deep breath, he continued. “You lied. What gives you the right to just jump into my life and manipulate me?”

“How did you find out?” Mac asked.

“Does it really matter?” Lola threw in his face. “The point is, you knew, and I discovered it elsewhere.”

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