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“Just remember,” he pinned his daughters with a hard look, “I can handle boyfriends. I cannot handle being made a grandparent anytime soon. That goes for you too, Kaid—”
“Oh my God, Dad!” Lily breathed, her cheeks flushing deeply.
“Okay,” Felicity leaped up, “who’s ready for dessert?”
“I’ll give you a hand with the dishes.” Hailee got up to help.
“We’re going to watch the pre-game show,” Cameron said. “Shout-out when it’s ready.”
The men, including Xander, got up and filed out of the kitchen.
“I’m going to help them,” Mrs. Thatcher said, patting Kaiden’s arm.
“And then there was seven.” Aaron grinned, but it fell when Ezra stood.
“I’m going to get some air.”
We watched him stalk out of the back door. Ashleigh’s shoulders slumped, hurt etched into her expression.
“At least he stayed for the whole meal,” Sofia offered.
“Big whoop.” Aaron grumbled.
“Aaron…”
“Yeah, whatever. I’m going to watch the game. Kaiden?”
He looked to Lily, and she smiled. “Go. I’m going to stay with the girls.”
The second they were gone, Lily turned to Ashleigh. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
But I knew that tone, and I knew that look. She wasn’t fine. Not even a little bit.
“I don’t know why you keep trying,” Sofia said, quietly. “E is—”
“I know, but everyone deserves to have somebody in their corner.” The defensive edge in Ashleigh’s voice didn’t surprise me. She was fiercely protective of the people she cared about. We all were, in our own way. It was one of the things I’d envied most about them when I’d first met Lily. The bonds they shared mirrored the ones their parents shared, and now I was one of them.
At least, until the truth came out.
Then who knew what would happen?
