Page 81 of Stick Play

She frowns and looks at both of the boys, her gaze going back and forth like a bobble head, no doubt wondering how they know her name. Hell, I’m wondering the same. I swear if this is about a story…

Their mother looks mortified when she warns, “Josh, Lucas, please don’t.”

Every nerve in my body jumps, and my muscles tighten. I’m about to ask exactly who they are and what is going on, but Zoe speaks first.

“Who are you?” she asks.

Josh blurts out, “I’m your brother.”

26

Ash

Gina pales and takes a wobbly step back. I reach for her, worried that she’s about to collapse, and who can blame her after that blunt announcement? As I brace her against my body, Zoe just stands there and stares at the two boys, a completely confused look in her eyes. My gaze jerks to the two women at the table as they begin to shift uncomfortably.

Zoe shakes her head as I stand there and try to understand what’s going on. As my brain races to catch up, Zoe blurts out, “I don’t have a brother. Wait, did my wishing stones work?” She turns to look at Gina. “Mom?”

“Son,” Dad whispers, and gives me a nudge that pulls me from my stupor.

“What is this?” I ask in a deep voice as I hold a trembling Gina tighter.

The younger woman stands on shaky feet and grips the back of her chair for support. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out this way.” She shakes her head at her son. “Josh.”

Josh folds his arms, and even though he gives an unapologetic shrug, it’s easy to tell from his eyes that he’s as uncomfortable as everyone else. “Well, she is my sister.”

Gina studies the boys for a second, her body tight. I’m about to ask if this is some kind of joke, when a little gasp escapes Gina’s throat, and that’s when I realize she’s figured out what’s going on here. “Lucian,” she whispers. “You’re…you’re…”

Lucian…her ex. Zoe’s father.

“Maybe we should talk in private,” I cut in when I clue in to what’s happening.

I meet the woman’s eyes and she nods in agreement. “I think that would be a good idea.”

“Dad, why don’t you take Zoe upstairs. Make a snack.” He nods and takes her hand, hurrying her up the stairs to give us the privacy we need.

I put my hand on Gina’s back and set her into motion, desperate to figure out why this woman showed up out of nowhere, and what she wants. “Let’s all go into the kitchen.”

“Mom, can you stay here with the boys?” the woman asks.

Her mom gives a curt nod and the boys grumble something to each other as I lead Gina and the woman into the kitchen. Andre and Carla are just finishing the clean-up and as soon as they see us, and read the tension in the room, they take off their aprons and hang them up.

Andre holds the door open for Carla. “We’ll see you in the morning, Gina.”

“Drive safe,” she mumbles and steps away from me, gripping the counter behind her as she nervously bites her lip and stares at the other woman.

“You’re Lucian’s wife,” she murmurs.

“I’m Maria.”

“I didn’t know,” Gina retorts quickly. Strain lines form under her eyes and I’m guessing she’s considering her words carefully. “He…he lied about everything.”

Maria waves her hands. “I’m not here about Lucian. Well, in a way I am. I’m not mad at you and I don’t blame you is what I’m trying to say.”

Gina relaxes a bit. “I’m not a homewrecker. As soon as I found out…”

“You ran, with your unborn child. Lucas and Josh’s half-sister.”

Gina straightens and everything from the horror in her eyes, to the tightening of her face, tells me she’s going into mama bear mode. I’m right there with her.

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