Page 98 of Play to Win

“When we were kids, we all got along.It wasn’t until we were older that we started to realize that Mark and Matthew hate my mom.”She pushes out her lips and wrinkles her nose.“We figured that they thought she was trying to take their inheritances away from them.”

“Maybe it was just that they were worried about their dad,” I offer gently.

She rolls her eyes.“As if they need to worry about him.He knew what he was doing.”

I prop my chin on my hand, elbow on the table.“So what was it like growing up with him?He must have been older when you were born.”

“He was forty-eight.And in his fifties by the time Noah was born.But it didn’t seem weird to me.He was a good dad, if somewhat embarrassing at times.”

“Aren’t all dads?”Taylor asks.

“I wish I knew.”I sigh.“I never had a dad.”

“Aw.I’m sorry.”

“I would have taken an embarrassing dad who made dad jokes.Like, why do crabs never give to charity?”

I get blank looks.

“Because they’re shellfish.”

They sputter with laughter.

I smile wryly.“See?Embarrassing.Théo will make a good dad someday.His jokes are terrible.”Shit.I don’t want to think about Théo being a dad with someone else.I look back at Everly.“Théo said they think your mom married your dad for his money.”

“I know they think that.”Everly’s voice hardens.“But it’s not true.They love each other.”Her eyes shadow though, with something that looks like ...worry.

“I got that impression,” I agree.I lift my hands.“Not that I know anything.”

She smiles.“Sometimes the people outside the family see more than we do.I’m glad you think so.”

Later, as Taylor drives me home, I decide to confide in her.“Do you have time to come in for a glass of wine or a margarita?I, um, need to talk about something.”

“Sure.”She shoots me a curious look.“I’ll drop the car off at home and be right back.”

Théo’s at his office, so we have the place to ourselves.I mix up margaritas and we take them out onto the patio.The beach is busy, with groups of people beneath colorful umbrellas, stretched out in the sun, walking on the sand.

“So what did you want to talk about?”Taylor sips her drink.

“It’s sort of a long story, and you have to pledge to never tell anyone, especially Everly or any of the Wynns.Or Manny, or any of the players.”

“Okay, so nobody.I get it.”She slaps her hand to her heart.“I won’t tell a soul.”

I take a breath.“Okay.Théo and I aren’t really married.”

21

LACEY

Taylor gives me a blank look.“That’s the big story?Jeez, Lace, lots of people shack up these days.”Her forehead crinkles.“Is his family super old-fashioned or something?”

“No.”I shake my head.“We’re married.We did the quick Vegas thing, like I said.But it wasn’t for real.We didn’t even know each other.I needed to get out of Vegas because my brother’s bookies were after me for, uh, the money he owed them.”I tell her more about that night.

“Oh my God.”Her eyes bug out.

“Yeah.And ...Théo had his reasons for wanting to bring a girl home to meet the family.You heard why earlier…Emma cheating on him with JP.So we’re faking the marriage for a while.”

“For how long?”She’s still gaping at me.

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