“Let me help you. I’ll talk to my dad.”
Suddenly, and so completely, I was just thankful Mason was with me. I slid my arms around his waist and tipped my head back. I didn’t have to say anything. He knew, and his lips were right there, meeting mine.
MASON
“Mason.”
Garrett, Sam’s biological father, held his hand out as Sam and I stepped into the private room. Sam paused, looking up at me. She was silently asking if I wanted her to stay and be a buffer between us, but I shook my head. It meant a lot that she was even offering.
I shook his hand. “Mr. Brickshire. How are you? Thank you again for helping with that incident earlier this summer.”
“Garrett. We’ve been through too much for you to call me by my last name, but I admit, it’s a lot nicer reception than I used to get from you guys.”
And since he went there, I replied, “Yeah, but that was when you were a dick to your daughter. You haven’t been for a while, and you helped me out.”
Logan was sitting close by, and he snorted, looking back to watch us.
Garrett let out a soft sigh. “I guess I asked for that. I did disappear for a while.”
It was for two years, but who was counting?
I just smiled back. “Thanks for coming to the game.”
“Of course.” He seemed relieved to move on. “And it was a great one, especially for your first of the season. Two touchdowns. They were raving about you on ESPN earlier.”
I nodded. “Yeah, well, everyone at the university is raving about Sam’s race time yesterday.” I turned toward her. She had taken a seat at the end of the table and was conversing with some of her running friends, but she looked back to me. A warm glow emanated from her.
The buzz about her was small, so far. That wouldn’t last. I knew the other runners were talking about her race, and that would only spread. People would watch to see if she could continue that time. I was sure some thought it was a fluke, but I knew better. Sam had been running like that since I’d known her.
Thinking about it now, I hadn’t pushed her to join cross-country. I’d asked her once if she wanted to, but she’d said she was fine with just doing track. I was ashamed now that I hadn’t pushed her harder. I knew I was part of the reason she’d chosen only the spring sport. I should’ve done everything I could to make sure she wouldn’t regret not joining cross-country.
At least she was there now.
Sam didn’t like attention, and I knew a part of her was happy, but a part of her was freaked out. My job was to be there for her, and I would be, but as I gave her bio dad a look, I hoped he read between the lines. I wanted everyone to be there, including him.
It was her time to shine.
He coughed, narrowing his eyes. “Yes, that’s what I’ve heard. I was ecstatic when I found out.”
“She’s running pre-Olympic times. Did you hear that?”
He stilled, and his eyebrows stretched apart.
He hadn’t.
“It’s going to get crazy for her.”
“Yeah,” he murmured, his eyes falling thoughtfully to his daughter. “Yeah, I’m sure it will be.” He paused, then looked back to me. “Pre-Olympics?”
“Yeah.”
Was he getting it now? Did he understand?
“You know, I couldn’t have done what I’ve done without support,” I said. “Support. That’s really important. Support. From family and friends.” Did I have to say it again?
He shot me a look.
He got the message.
“Mason.” Malinda stood at the other end of the table, a glass of wine in hand. “Stop interrogating Garrett and sit down. Both of you sit down.”
She waved to the table, and I slipped into my seat next to Sam. Garrett returned to his at the other end next to his wife and David.
Malinda raised her glass. “A toast to Mason for his exceptional game today.” She beamed with pride. “And to Samantha, for making Cain U history yesterday and continuing to do so. And to everyone here.” She indicated the whole table. “If you’re here, that means you love and care for one of our kids, and that means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To everyone!”
We saluted, then sipped.
Malinda had already ordered appetizers, which were now placed down the middle of the table. Once they were done, the servers came around for our individual orders.
Matteo leaned across the table from his seat next to Grace, with Courtney by her. “Hey, what was up with you and Bio Dad?”
Sam put her water down with a little extra force, like it slipped and she caught it in time. “Do you have to call him that too?”
“What’s his name?”
“Garrett. Call him Garrett.”
Matteo thought about it, then shrugged. “Bio Dad seems more appropriate, but okay.” He turned back to me. “So? You and—” He glanced at Sam. “—Garrett. What’s up with that?”
“Nothing. Just small talk.”
Matteo snorted. “Right, because that’s what you Kades are known for. Small talk.”
Nate leaned over the table and asked in a mock whisper, “What’s going on?”
My eyes met Sam’s. I knew we were thinking the same thing. Then I looked at Logan and saw the suspicion there. He knew something was going on too, so I shrugged.
“We ran into a friend of yours out there,” I told Nate.
He had been reaching for a roll, but he dropped it. “What?” He cursed under his breath, grabbing the roll before it hit his water.
“Someone recent. Like, last night and this morning recent.”
Logan started laughing. He was keeping it quiet, but he was still laughing. “Is he talking about a chick or a dude? If it’s a dude, I’m all for that, but give me a heads-up. I am your husband, remember?” He winked at Nate.
Nate scowled. “Shut it.” He cursed again under his breath. “You ran into her?” He shot Sam a look. “And thanks for telling.”
She shrugged. “Sorry.” She didn’t sound it.
I hid a grin, rubbing a hand over her back. “Back off her. I would’ve figured it out anyway. The girl wasn’t real smooth.”
“I liked her.”
Logan frowned at Sam, then me. “Who is she? I want to meet her now.”
A third curse from Nate. “This isn’t funny, you guys. We’re at a family meal. It’s not the place to talk about my sexual escapades.”
“Mmmm?” That perked Malinda’s ears. She straightened in her chair. “What’s going on? Nate has sexual escapades?”
Logan smothered more laughter.
I started to open my mouth, but Nate shot me a dark look. “Mason.”
I heard the warning and held a hand up. “We’re just joking. We didn’t even talk to her. Sam just said you knew her, that’s all.” I pointed to Logan. “He told me about the one-nighter.”
Nate stiffened, turning to Logan. “Are you kidding? That happened just last night.”
Logan frowned. “Why are you getting all uppity about some chick? Unless—”
Nate’s eyes flashed.
Logan dipped his head in a small nod and cleared his throat. He looked my way. “So, Matteo.”
“Oh no.” Matteo stopped eating a fancy-looking pizza roll. “Don’t start, you guys. Please.” He gestured to his plate full of appetizers. “I just want to eat. That’s all.”
Logan ignored him. “Have you asked Grace out yet?”
Grace squeaked at the mention of her name, and her face reddened. She looked around, saw she was the center of attention, and squeaked again. “Oooh boy,” she breathed.
Matteo shook his head and pointed at Logan. “No. You’re not going to do this. You’re deflecting. I won’t let you do that. Deflect elsewhere, buddy.”
Logan’s eyes darkened. He and Matteo were friends, but he didn’t like getting orders from anyone except Sam or me.
He narrowed his eyes. “I was? Really? I think I’m more curious now than ever. I think you’re
the one deflecting. Hey, Grace.”
She stiffened, but looked at him with caution.
“Logan, don’t.” Matteo’s warning was low.
An evil gleam started in my brother’s eyes, and his lips curved. “Has he asked you out yet? Or maybe you guys already went out? Did he underperfor—”
“Watch it, Logan.”
I couldn’t see Sam’s eyes, but her tone was a warning too.
“Don’t be disrespectful to my friends.”
Logan stopped, seemed to realize what he’d been about to do, and closed his mouth. He leaned back. “Maybe we should adopt a new policy where we dine with enemies? I’m in the mood for a target right now.”
Sam pointed over her shoulder toward the rest of the restaurant. “Faith Shaw is out there. Have at it.”
Logan didn’t stand up, but I could tell he was considering it. His eyes met mine. Sam had stopped us from proceeding before against Shaw, and if he went after her now just to release some of his anger, it could backfire.
“Chill,” I said, quietly.
Logan groaned, but did as I said, and the silence that followed was thick and awkward.
“Okay.” Malinda stood again, a second glass of wine in hand. She raised it up like last time. “I want to do another toast, but this one might make me a little teary.” Her eyes shone, and she pressed a hand to the corner of her right eye.
She sniffled, clearing her throat. “Okay. Here it is.” She raised her glass higher. “I’m not trying to purposely leave anyone out, but I have to focus on these three children of mine.” A tear slipped past her hand, making its way down her cheek. She used the back of her hand to wipe it away. “Nate, Matteo, I don’t know you guys as well, but I already love you, and I know both of you love these three too.”
She smiled at Sam’s runner friends. “And you both seem very lovely.” She turned to Taylor, sitting across from Logan and next to Courtney. “I’ve only recently gotten to know you, and you seem perfect for Logan. I can tell he’s very happy with you, but you three.” Her eyes warmed, and her lips started to tremble. She looked at Logan, Sam, and me. “You three have rocked my world. I am beyond happy to have met David, but then his daughter came along, and, Samantha, you took my breath away.” She pressed a hand to her chest. More tears slid down. “And you got along with my Marcus. Oh, my boy. He’ll always be my baby, but he got a sister in you, and everyone now knows that Samantha is a package deal. Mason and Logan come with her, no matter what.”
She chuckled hoarsely and glanced to David. “I have to admit that we agonized over what to do with you, Mason. You had more claim on this new precious baby girl than I did.” Her hand fell to David’s shoulder. “More than David too. You were protecting her from us. That stopped me in my tracks. I couldn’t get over it, but then I heard more, and I started to understand. You and Logan, you’re her guard dogs, and I hope that never ends. Ever. You protect her against the world, and Samantha is one of the luckiest people I know.”
She paused, clearing her throat. “Samantha, what you have with Mason and Logan, I am beyond envious. And I’m an adult, but the three of you continue to humble me. The loyalty and love you have for each other, I can only strive to create the same bond with David and my boy. And I am so very grateful to have met all of you, and to you three . . .” She raised her glass once again. “To the love you have. May we all be lucky enough to experience that once in our lifetimes.”
She stopped and turned to each adult, touching their glass with hers. Garrett’s wife looked like she was fighting back tears, and they all sipped from their drinks, joining the salute.
Sam looked between Logan and me. She had a stunned look in her eyes, and her throat was working. She reached for her drink and raised it toward Malinda.
“Thank you, Malinda,” she whispered.
Everyone sipped their drinks, and another bout of silence filled the room.
Logan frowned, swinging his gaze to me. I raised my eyebrows. If he thought I was going to follow that toast with one of my own, he was a moron. I gave him a look back, letting him know what I thought.
He snorted, grinning slightly. “Fine.” He took his glass and stood up. “I love you, Mama Malinda, and my speeches aren’t usually so nice, but—”
“Not another wedding speech,” Malinda interjected. She was firm on that. “Nothing like that. We were at James and Analise’s wedding too.”
Logan laughed. “No, but technically, my speech was fine that day. I had to be nice. Mason’s was the mean one.”
“Truth.” I coughed. “I just spoke the truth.”
Logan swung his glass in my direction. “And on the same theme of being true—”
Nate slumped back in his chair. “Oh no.” He tossed his cloth napkin on his plate.
“Logan.” Malinda gave him a small warning.
“Can you all relax? I’m going to be honest, but not in the way you think.” He paused, waiting for their permission.
“Logan, just talk,” I told him.
He nodded. “I will. Thank you, brother.” He cleared his throat and hit his chest. “There once was a little boy.”
“What?” Nate frowned, shooting forward to look at me.
I lifted a shoulder. “Just let him talk. This is Logan. We never know what we’re going to get.”
“Thank you, brother.”
Nate groaned, leaning back again. “That’s what I’m worried about.”
“Ahem.” Logan shot him a look. “Like I was saying, there once was a little boy who grew up in a palace, and there was a sad and lonely mother, who liked to drink her misery away with wine and diet pills, and there was also an older brother. And this older brother was looked upon by the little brother. He worshiped him. He idolized him, and when the older brother would get angry, get drunk, or get into fights, the little boy wanted to be just like him.”
I sighed. I’d asked for it.
Logan kept going, laughing, “And one day, when the wicked king of the palace came home, riding on one of his many w-horses—” He coughed. “I mean mares. The older brother had enough. He yelled and swore at his father, and he turned his back on the king that day. That was the day everything in the kingdom changed. The queen, who was still lonely and sad, moved to a different kingdom and found her love of traveling. She was never heard from again, but the two brothers banded together. They kicked the evil king out of the kingdom, along with his new prized mare.”
His lip twitched. “The one he had fallen deeply in love with, who was as evil as he. But you see, the story didn’t end there. No. The king and his new evil mare, who turned into a human and became his new queen, brought a daughter with her. And this daughter needed to be saved from the evil king and queen, and the two brothers knew they couldn’t just live happily ever after in their own kingdom with all their own mares.” Another lip twitch. “They knew they had to save this new daughter, and so they rode out on their mares, and laid waste to their father’s new kingdom to save their new queen.”
“Logan.” I leveled him with a look. “Wrap up this fairytale.”
“You were all about transparency at the wedding. And excuse me, but this is a fairytale. Everyone knows I’d never insult a horse by calling it a whore.”
“Let him finish.” Nate gestured to Logan. “I’m enthralled.”
“Thank you, and you didn’t want me to do a speech.”
“I stand corrected. Please go on. I enjoy hearing about the mares.”
“Oh, yes.” Logan smirked. “There were lots and lots of mares in this story, but when the two brothers brought back the new evil queen’s daughter, she cast a spell over their kingdom and both brothers. But it wasn’t one of evil or one she meant to do. It was magic. One became destined to be the new reigning king at her side, and the other was destined to always protect and cherish her as a brother should.”