Page 87 of Destiny

“I can’t go out, Brendan. I’m not fit to be around other people right now.”

“All right. I’ll order something from Lorenzo’s and pick it up.”

He shoves his hands through his hair again. “Yeah. That’s fine. Get a pizza. Everything. No anchovies.”

“Good enough.” I pull out my phone, order the pizza from Lorenzo’s, and then head over.

And as soon as I get there, who do I see?

Ava, sitting at a table with Brock and Rory and Jesse Pike.

For God’s sake…

“Hey, Brendan!” Brock motions me over.

“Hey, Brock. Ava, Rory, Jesse.”

Ava meets my gaze for a moment but then looks away.

I can’t blame her.

“You want to join us?” From Brock.

“No, thank you. I’m just picking up a pizza for my dad and me. It’s Mom’s bridge night.”

“I can’t believe you’re taking time off,” Brock says.

“Yeah, we’ve got some family matters going on. That’s what Dad and I are discussing tonight.”

Ava looks down at her plate, stares at a piece of bread that she just dipped in olive oil.

“What have you guys been up to?” I ask.

“We were working on the holiday concert that Rory and Jesse are doing,” Brock says.

“It’s going to rock,” Jesse says. “I hope you’re planning to be there.”

“Oh, yeah, I wouldn’t miss it. Mom and Dad are coming too.”

“They like rock and roll?”

“They like your band, Jess,” I say. “But they’re also looking forward to hearing Rory’s operatic numbers.”

“It’ll be my last time singing some of those,” Rory says. “Time to definitely hang up that hat and then get ready for the tour.”

“I know. So amazing that you guys are going on tour with Emerald Phoenix.”

Rory’s eyes shine.

“You seem excited.”

“Wouldn’t you be? Emerald Phoenix?”

“Yeah. I’m a big fan,” I say.

Then Rory bursts into a huge smile.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Brock says. “Just tell him, Rory.”

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