Page 37 of Tell Me Lies

“I was thinking, if you’re okay with it, I could take her to swim lessons. My sister and I started really young, and my parents swear by early introduction to water.” I pause, chuckling. “Although she’s certainly already comfortable in the water.”

I glance up at him to find him looking puzzled before he takes a water from the refrigerator.

“What days would they be?”

“They start this Monday, and it’s one day a week for six weeks.”

“You’d do that with her?” he says, sounding surprised.

“Of course I would.” I realize that maybe I’m overstepping. “Unless you want to do it. I can look at what other days they have or even get a private instructor to come here.” I debate saying the next part, but the thing with Logan is, he really does always want the best for his daughter. “I just figured if it was in a group setting, she could see other kids her age, you know? But if not, I totally understand.”

“No, no.” He gives me a quick shake of his head. “I think you’re right. I mean, she needs to be around other kids sometimes. And that’s hard. She’s starting preschool next year, and she hasn’t ever really been in a group setting.” He looks thoughtful. “I think it’s a great idea, Maci. Thank you.”

“For what?” I whisper.

“For caring enough about her to think about stuff like that.” He shrugs. “I do the best I can, but sometimes … I just don’t think of that shit, you know?”

“I think you’re doing damn good, Logan,” I say honestly, but when his eyes meet mine and I feel that fire inside of me begin to burn, I quickly look away. “Oh, something was delivered to you today.” I suddenly remember the package that was dropped off this morning. “I put it in the entryway.”

For a moment, I feel his stare remain on me until he eventually wanders into the entryway, returning shortly after with the box.

Grabbing a knife from the cupboard, he cuts the tape and opens the box. Right away, a grin takes over his whole face as his eyes find the contents, and I can’t lie … I’m curious myself.

Taking out a book, he holds it up to me, and I read the title.

“Best Dad Jokes of All Time,” I say before raising my eyebrows and breathing out a laugh. “Yeah, you sure need that.”

Then, he takes out some sort of handmade ticket, looking it over and laughing as he shakes his head. “Wow, what a dick my brother is.”

He passes it to me, and I see the messy handwriting on the ticket, which saysTicket to the Stanley Cup.

“Turn it over,” Logan says, and I do.

*Happy birthday, big brother. I figured I’d make you this ticket to the Stanley Cup because it’s likely your only chance of ever getting there.

—Link

All jokes aside …

I mean it.

He continues pulling a few more things out, like a Los Angeles Kings sweatshirt with a tiny matching one for Amelia, before he takes out a card.

He tears it open, reading the front before flipping to the inside. He takes out a gift certificate of some sort before he looks up at me. “Looks like we’re going to Disney World with my brother, his wife, and their son in the spring.”

My heart lurches into my throat because, well, that’s a long time away. He probably meant him and Amelia. Not me too.

Suddenly, I panic. “Wait, is today your birthday?” I drag my hand down the back of my neck. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I had no idea.”

“No, it isn’t,” he answers, and I instantly relax. “It’s tomorrow. Link is just an extreme type-A personality who has to have everything done beforehand.”

“Tomorrow?” I blurt out.

Right then, I know I have to have Amelia help me make him a cake. I’m not sure if his family comes over or anything for his birthday normally. I mean, I know Link doesn’t because he’s on the other side of the country, but his father or other two brothers? I have no idea.

All at once, he’s stepping toward me, his body crowding mine against the countertop when he leans around me and grabs something. As he holds up the can of whipped cream, his eyes darken. “This needs to go in the refrigerator before it goes bad.”

He doesn’t move or back away. He stands over me, making my heart race from his closeness.

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