Page 85 of Destiny

“Right. But what it doesn’t explain is why the couple who adopted him changed their name and his.”

“More to figure out.” Brock sighs. “I swear to God, growing up, I had no idea we had this many skeletons in our closet.”

“Neither did I. All our parents were determined to give us idyllic childhoods.”

Brock takes a sip of bourbon. “Tell you what, Ava. I’m taking some time off myself this week, helping Rory and Jesse get ready for the concert. Let me help you.”

I take a sip of my mineral water. “With what?”

“With all the shit that’s going down. Rory doesn’t need me underfoot, and I—”

“I want to talk to your father,” I say.

“Why?”

“I just do.”

“Good enough.” Brock pulls out his phone, sends a quick text.

“I just told him we’ll be there tonight. After dinner.”

“Good. I can’t eat anyway.”

“I can. Rory and I are heading over to Lorenzo’s with Jesse, and you’re coming along.”

“I don’t—”

“You need a break. Rory knows what’s going on, but Jesse’s still in the dark, so we won’t be talking about any of this at dinner.”

“Brock,” I say, “that sounds like a freaking dream come true.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Brendan

Ruby walks toward us quickly then. “Good, you’re no longer in there. I need to talk to you about something.”

“What’s that, babe?” Ryan asks.

“Something that just occurred to me. Something that may be related. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”

My phone buzzes.

It’s Dad.

“I’ve got news. Come home right away.”

I want to stay and listen to what Ruby found out, but I need to go.

“When are you going to talk to Joe?” I ask.

“Tonight, if possible,” Ryan says.

“All right, I’ve got to go. My dad needs me. But would you please call me? Let me know what’s going on?”

“Yeah, of course.”

I have no idea if Ryan is telling me the truth, but Dad’s voice sounded desperate. I hop in my car and head back to town.

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