“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.
