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“Yep.” Wow. I’m really bringing my A-Game to the conversation. I glance around, hoping Kayla has a date standing nearby. Or at least a friend who’s meeting her. But all I see is … Oh no.
My parents are walking up.
You’vegotto be kidding.
“Hey there, Spence!” My father claps my shoulder. “Your mother and I thought we’d shake up our usual date night and come to the ranch.” He holds up a bucket of fried chicken from Wing Shack and grins. “Take out and a movie!”
My mother beams. “Isn’t your father romantic?”
“Wing Shack at a summer camp.” My mouth quirks. “Way to go all out, Dad.”
“I didn’t think to bring any blankets, though. You’re a smart man, son.” He nods at the two I’m holding. “Can I borrow one of those? I’d like to take the heat up a notch tonight.”
My brain freezes at the thought of my dad notching up the heat. Before I can answer him, my mom pulls a blanket free from my arms.
“Gee. Help yourself,” I tell her. My tongue is laced with sarcasm.
“Well, theseareour blankets.” Her eyebrows waggle. “You brought these from home, didn’t you?”
Home. Right.Theirhome.
The home I can’t wait to move out of. And that’s assuming I don’t lose my entire down payment first. But I can’t think about that right now. I’ve just got to get through my agenda tonight.
One step at a time.
Pressing on a smile, I turn to scan the entrance to the ranch. Mrs. Lockhart and Tess are way up there, greeting people as they pass through the gates. I’m way back here with Kayla and my parents and all their notched-up romance.
I see Mr. Dudley is near the front of the line. So are Mac and his family. There’s a pack of teenagers. A couple of kids running around. And that’s when I spot them. Ahead of me. Almost to the gates.
Frank and Alice.
Cue allllll the negative thinking.
How could I have been so stubborn—or so easily goaded—by my brother? I should’ve known better. Idefinitelyknow Frank. Not only is he not letting me off the hook now, he’s also threatened to tell Tess about the bet. For all I know, he’ll say something tonight. So I’ve added a Step 5 to my list:
Get to Tess before Frank does.
