Page 87 of The Wrong Promise

“I think it’s a good idea to check in on her,” I say quietly. Penny and I agreed not to share what happened with the family as there is enough sadness in the room already.

My gut is tight with concern, and I don’t want to wait until Penny can drive to San Diego. I’ll drive down the morning after she returns and speak to Zara first. No one else has to know.

Christmas passesin a blur of decadent food, extravagant gifts, and bad cracker jokes that make some of us pretend to laugh. With the somber mood, it’s all a bit of a waste.

Three days later, I wake up thinking about Zara.

She and her family flew back home last night. I have tried to call every day while she was away. It went straight to her voicemail. I open my cell.

Morning, Zara. I hope you enjoyed the sunshine and spent some valuable time with your family. I’m driving down to San Diego this morning, hoping we can chat. I miss you

Not expecting a reply, I head to my parents’ home. This time of year, breakfast at theirs is a casual walk-in affair as we all try to spend more time together as a family. I find Dad and Franklin at the breakfast table discussing the game that was played on Christmas Day.

“Is that all he said?” Dad asks Franklin.

“Morning,” I greet and take a seat, helping myself to the almond croissants on the table. “What are we discussing?”

“BJ. He told Lottie at the game that it was fate that he was transferred to Chicago, and they’re not meant to be. He changed his cell and his number so she couldn’t contact him. She called him a coward, and then Byron said something about seeing him on the court next year.”

“This all happened at the game on Christmas Day?”

Franklin nods.

“It wasn’t fate, though, was it, since you signed him off.”

Franklin glares at me. “He demanded it. Said he had to go and wouldn’t give a reason. He said our family was holding him back from being his best.”

“The fuck? We’ve given him everything.”

Franklin agrees. “And now there’s whispers he’ll make the Australian Olympic team. Something Byron will not achieve with setbacks from his injury.”

“It is what it is. There are worse things that can happen.” I eye Franklin to see if Penny has mentioned anything to him. Dad frowns at me as though nothing is worse than his star basketball son with a near career-ending injury.

Franklin gives a subtle nod. “I need to get home and be with Summer and Pen before they drive down to San Diego for the night.”

“You’re not going with them?” Dad asks.

“No, I’m flying to Florida for a couple of nights. Lottie is staying over with Penny.”

“It will help take her mind off a broken heart.”

I also stand. “I’m heading into the office for the day. I’ll see Mom and you later tonight.”

I head out the door, get on the road, and take the freeway heading south of Los Angeles, not in the direction of my office.

For the next two hours, I listen to a podcast on the real estate market to distract my anxious mind. Maps direct me to a small house with vinyl siding and French windows. It has a white picket fence, and a cat is on the porch, curled up, enjoying the morning sun.

I jog up the steps, knocking on the door.

Silence.

Knock. Knock.

Is that footsteps?

The wooden door swings open, and a small woman appears with salt and pepper hair. She has the same brown eyes as Zara. “May I help you? If you’re here to talk about the bible, then we’re not interested. We are Christians and have our own church.”

Stunned, I glance down at my white shirt, black pants,and suit jacket. “No, ma’am, I’m here to see Zara. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas in Mexico.”

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