Page 71 of Playing to Win

She reached from his arms to poke a finger at my chest. “Don.”

Hunter ran a hand through her hair. Blonde. “I hope you’re also good with Don. It could be worse.”

I gave a polite smile and shrugged off my jacket. I hung it on a coat rack by the door. Then I followed them into the main room of the condo, a living area with glass doors to a balcony. The kitchen was separated from the living room by a table and chairs, currently set for four adults and a child. No place setting for Frank, and Hailey’s presence would keep the conversation topics light.

Faith came out of the hallway, wearing casual clothes, hair slightly damp. “Hello, Braydon. Have a seat.”

I chose a chair, Faith and Hunter and Hailey sitting on the couch.

“Thanks for coming. After the way Dad behaved, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d turned us down.”

My shoulders relaxed. I hadn’t been sure Faith wouldn’t try to excuse her—our—father. “I wouldn’t have come if I thought he’d be here. Jayna said you wouldn’t invite him.”

Faith shook her head. “He’s my dad, but—” Her cheeks flushed. “Sorry, he’s yours too.”

“No.”

Her eyebrows raised.

“Technically he is, but the man who adopted me when I was three, and who’s raised me, he’s my father as far as I’m concerned.”

Hailey climbed off the couch and stared at me from across the coffee table.

I eyed her warily. “It’s okay for us to talk?”

Hunter reached under the table and pulled out a basket of toys. Hockey figurines. Hailey dumped the basket on the table and started moving the players around.

He grinned at her. “Yeah, she won’t pay any attention unless you use the word G-r-a-p-p-a.”

I put the letters together. “Really?”

“She’s going through a stage. Makes up her own names for people.”

Was that normal? Hell if I knew. “Well, Frank technically is related to me, but he hasn’t done anything that makes me want to know him.”

Faith nodded. “That’s fair. But do you want to know us?”

“Maybe? I’m not sure how this works. And if it’s supposed to be kept secret, should we not?”

Hunter wrapped an arm around his wife. Her head dropped to his shoulder. “Dad won’t let it out, because a child with someone else would be the last straw for my mom. I’m not going to tell anyone because I don’t want to hurt her.” She raised her eyebrows.

I held up my hands to indicate I wouldn’t do that.

“I’m friends with Tempo and she’s my teammate. Hanging out with her boyfriend won’t be weird. We do look alike, but if no one has figured it out yet, I don’t think us spending time together is going to give them ideas. I’d like to get to know my brother. I thought I was an only child.”

“Me too.” I was curious about her, and we had things in common, so maybe this would work.

A knock interrupted us. Hailey looked up and ran for the door. Hunter pushed to his feet and followed her.

Faith smiled. “I’d like to have more family, at least more who aren’t assholes. Even if no one else knows. I hope that means you.”

“Po!” Hailey called from the doorway.

“Hailey monster!” Jayna answered.

Faith gave me a knowing look, and I realized I’d smiled when I heard Jayna’s voice. “Come on in. Your boyfriend is already here,” she called out.

“Don!” Hailey agreed.

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