Page 5 of The Second Deal

Ihug her back, but my heart isn’t really in it.It’senough to make her leave me be, saying that they’ll be out back.

AtleastMomkept up dusting in here.Ican’t imagine how thick it would be after a year and a half.

Ihave to sit on the edge of the bed.

Iwonder how much everything has changed.Ifthe rock music festival my parents started so many years ago has changed at all from the one time in my lifeIhaven’t attended.IfShannon’sdaughter,ZakandAdrian’sniece, is just as small asIremember her.Ifthe twins’ older sister,Shannon’swife,Kriskept up withWednesdaypuzzle nights forAndreasinceI’vebeen gone.

Iswallow the bitterness those thoughts leave behind and perk up whenMomcalls, “Stephani, come on and make yourself a plate before those boys eat up everything!”

I’lllet her figure it out when only two of the guys show up.

Thepatio is the same with the wooden beams covering it, but there’s new furniture and an entire garden complete with a winding pathway around the pool.Itleads to a cozy corner with more furniture around a firepit and a waterfall feature behind that.Morelights are strung up through the trees.They’veembraced the cactus, too, using different patches as décor around the waterfall and leading out back towards the woods.

“Holycrap,”Ibreathe, taking a paper plate whenMomoffers it. “You’vebeen keepingDadsuper busy, huh?”

Dadgrumbles under his breath, flipping burgers on the grill.Momsmacks his shoulder with a stack of plates. “Oh, hush.Looksnice, don’t it?”

Headlightsflash across the trees, catching my attention with the sound of an approaching vehicle.

“Youbetter hurry and grab all the pasta salad you want before your brother sniffs it out,”Dadcomments, watching me doing just that.

IknowMomsaid they both missed me, butIthinkDad’sbeing a tough sell right now with the distant look in his eyes.

Kissinghis cheek on my way to the table seems to warm him up a little.

Anotherset of headlights illuminates the dark trees.MustbeShannon,Ithink, until another vehicle rumbles in behind that.

BrandyandRobbieround the corner hand in hand.

“Wow, you actually stuck around,”Robbiecomments loudly.

“I’msecond guessing the decision,”Imurmur into his ear as he envelops me in a bear hug.

Hepulls away, unable to hide the shame even under dim lights. “I’msorry.”

Iglance over his shoulder at the figure that stepped up onto the patio.Shannon’sface lights up the second he sees me, andIcan’t help returning the beam.

“Whoelse came?”

“Everyone.”

Myeyes bug out of their sockets. “What?”

Robbie’sface is suddenly in mine.Wherehis septum piercing normally sits is caked with dried blood. “Nobody’sgonna say shit, alright?Playit cool.”

“Shitabout what?”Ihiss before he spins around and heads towards the grill afterBrandy.

Forgetthe fight on stage for a second—Idon’t want to see either of theRamostwins.

“Hey,Steph,”Shannonwhoops, pulling me into a hug.Helowers his voice. “Sorryfor the shit homecoming gig.Theypromised to behave here, at least.”

Myhead starts to shake andIturn away. “Ican’t be here with them.”

Shannongrabs my arm, making me crane my head back since he’s so tall. “Justignore them, okay?Youhave to stay.”Hecocks his chin towards the grill. “Foryour parents.Notfor them.”

Ididn’t think my expression could fall any further than it already has, but one glimpse atMomsmiling over atDadandRobbiebefore grinning at me is all the guilt it takes to force me to sit back down.

Butmy skin crawls wondering who else pulled in.

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