Page 69 of Fast

Scott answers my question. “That was the original plan, but we got up early and we decided to come home and make breakfast for everyone. You and Chance have a big day ahead of you, and we wanted to send you off with a special meal. Eat breakfast as a family.”

He puts emphasis on family, as his blue eyes, so similar to Chance’s, linger on me to spy my reaction.

“Hey Kelly,” Chance walks into the kitchen. “Dad?” he looks as surprised as I was a second ago.

Our parents repeat the explanation they just gave me, as if they had rehearsed it.

The patio door that leads to the deck opens. “Good morning. Do I smell bacon?” Lev asks, poking his head in.

“Ah, Lev.” Scott smiles again. “I was wondering when you’d show up. Sit down, I’m making my world famous Eggs a la Hunter. There’s enough for you, too.”

Lev rubs his hands together, taking a seat at the kitchen table. “You don’t have to ask me twice, Scott, thank you. I was planning to stop by the drive-through for breakfast on our way to class, but this is a treat I’m definitely not going to pass on.”

Ares steps into the kitchen in that moment, looking at our parents and then at us, a silent question etched on his face.

He looks so handsome in his dark blue cop uniform that I have to force my gaze away before my ogling becomes too obvious.

Like each of us, Ares voices his surprise at seeing our parents at work in the kitchen. “Did I hear you’re making Eggs Hunter? You haven’t made those in a while, not since…” his voice dies down, as if he regretted taking the conversation in that direction.

That tells me that Scott must have not made his famous eggs after Atlas passed.

“Pancakes are ready,” Mom’s voice goes up a notch, in the obvious attempt to fill the heavy silence that descended into the kitchen at the veiled mention of Atlas. “Come on guys, take a seat and start serving yourselves. The eggs won’t be long.”

Chance makes a show of walking around the table to take a seat as far as humanly possible from me.

A look passes between him and Ares, and his older brother follows Chance’s lead.

Lev looks at them with a quizzical expression on his handsome face, but he doesn’t say anything, taking a seat next to me.

We start passing serving platters around once Scott brings his famous poached eggs on avocado toast.

Our parents ask us questions about the first class of our college careers, and it all feels a little surreal; as if we were trapped inside a 1980s sit com.

As I finish that thought, the patio door opens again and Heather practically skips inside the kitchen, coming to sit next to me.

“Heather, what a nice surprise.” Scott beams. “Let me get you a plate. There’s more than enough food for you to join us.”

The sheriff’s daughter declines politely. “Thanks, Scott, but I have my green smoothie with me.” She lifts her pink travel mug. “I have to stay in shape if I want a shot into the performing cheerleading team. This year, the team has recruited me and a few other star cheerleaders to have a shot at winning nationals. But as a freshman, a spot on the mat isn’t guaranteed.”

Scott nods. “Your commitment is admirable, Heather. I’m sure it won’t go unnoticed by the coaching team.”

We eat making small talk for a while.

“Well then,” Scott rises from his chair, collecting some of the empty plates. “You guys should get going. I don’t know today’s professors, but back in my day, arriving late to the first class, would put a target on your back. That’s especially true for Chance and Lev, once hockey practice begins. But you already attended summer training, so you know how much Coach Harrison hates tardiness.”

I take mine and Lev’s plates, but Scott intercepts them.

“Don’t worry about that, Zara. Your mom and I will clean up.”

I’m about to protest, but Ares precedes me.

“Thank you for the awesome breakfast, Dad. But shouldn’t you and Kelly be off to the airport? I thought you were going on a honeymoon.”

Mom answers his question. “We are,” she sounds excited. “But our flight isn’t until this afternoon, so we wanted to see you off to school and work, and we’re going to pop in to City Hall, to make sure the deputy mayor doesn’t need anything last minute.”

Scott pulls Mom against his side, dropping a kiss on her temple. “Yup. And then it’s going to be just the two of us, the sun, and the sand for two entire weeks.”

“I can’t wait.” Mom’s dreamy expression is something I don’t remember seeing in years.

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