“I doubt it. She’s focused on summer classes right now.” But, apparently, they hadn’t taken enough of her focus because she’d had time to look into Anna.
“It’s been the two of you for a long time. I know what that’s like. You become this team forged in the worst of times. She might not want that to change.”
Cain understood better than probably anyone. He’d had a sister he’d looked out for in much rougher situations than what I’d dealt with living with a neglectful aunt and uncle. But Cain had lost her, and it had marked him for a long time. Kennedy had brought him out of that dark place.
“I really do think that once Jules meets Anna, she’ll understand. She’ll see that Anna isn’t anything Jules thinks she is.”
“I hope you’re right. But you might need to give her a sterner warning.”
That wasn’t exactly my strong suit. Juliette had wrapped me around her little finger from the moment she was born. I knew I spoiled her. Especially after I’d sold my first video game. But she’d never been a bad kid. She’d gotten good grades, hadn’t been in any serious trouble. I’d rarely told her no, though. That might be coming back to bite me.
My phone buzzed again. But this time, it wasn’t Juliette.
Anna:Keisha got official word. My parents are filing for custody of Justin and Lyla. Their paperwork calls me unfit.
Some part of me had hoped the Foleys would simply slink off into the night, too scared of what their daughter might bring up in court to stay and fight. But, of course, we couldn’t be that lucky. And if they were going to fight, I knew it would be dirty.
16
Anna
I drummedmy fingers on my thigh and fought the urge to tear at my clothes. This suit had been Kennedy’s suggestion. One to wear if fancy donors came to Hope House or if we needed to have meetings with outside people. If it was just our board, jeans were more than acceptable. But as much as the fabric made my skin itch, I was grateful I’d had it.
Today, it would be my armor. A coat of impenetrable material that my parents’ scorn and hatred wouldn’t be able to sink beneath. “Tell me again why we’re doing this.”
Mason kept his gaze on the road ahead. “Because there’s a chance Keisha can get them to fold before we end up in court.”
I didn’t completely comprehend the dance going on between the lawyers right now, but a part of me understood it was a game of chicken. We were heading for a collision, both hoping the other would bail before impact. “They won’t.”
Once my father sank his teeth into something, he didn’t let go. Not even if it meant his destruction.
“You might be surprised. Keisha can be pretty convincing.”
I didn’t doubt it. Mason’s friend was a powerhouse. But my father had a cruel streak that seemed to sustain him through anything. Instead of arguing, I stayed quiet, watching the fields and forests whiz by. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“I wouldn’t let you face this alone.”
Of course, he wouldn’t. Because Mason was a good man. The best. And that knowledge made my chest ache.
“I appreciate it.”
His hands tightened on the wheel. “Stop acting like I’m a stranger. We’re friends. Hell, even though this isn’t the way people usually go about this kind of thing, we’re married.”
The hint of anger in his voice surprised me. I’d never heard it before. And as I took that in, I realized what I was doing. Pushing him away, back into the box of cordial colleagues. Back into what wassafe. “Sorry,” I mumbled.
“You don’t have to be sorry, just quit it.”
I opted for silence instead. Maybe if I kept my mouth closed, I’d stop messing everything up. Getting too close, pushing too far away. Nothing felt right.
I let myself zone out, trying to think of anything but what was to come or the man sitting next to me. Until those fields and forests changed to neighborhoods and then a town. Aspen Valley was larger than Sutter Lake, some big-box stores on the outskirts, and a vibrant central area. We passed a courthouse I hoped we’d never have to set foot in. Restaurants and shops. A movie theater.
Mason’s GPS directed him to a brick building a few blocks off the main drag. It was picturesque, the kind of place that spoke of history. He pulled into a parking spot and shut off his SUV, turning to me. He held out a hand. “We’re a team, right?”
I looked at his hand as if it had claws that could puncture and wound. But laid mine on top of his. “A team.”
He wrapped his fingers around mine, squeezing. “We’ll get through this.”
I swallowed, trying to clear my throat. “Thank you.” I held up my free hand before he could argue. “Just let me say it. It makes me feel better.”
