Page 109 of Revenge Puck

“He could’ve figured it out if he really wanted to. It’s not like Maya was hiding him.”

“I’m gonna ask if he wants to meet him tomorrow. The real reason I kept Maya and Finley out of Greensboro was to keepthem away from Christian. It wasn’t my place, though. By trying to protect my sister, I overstepped. Now I know that I can still be a supportive brother and uncle to Finley, even if Christian is in his life.”

I think this is the first time I’ve ever heard him call his nemesis by his first name, like he’s an old friend.

“Your heart was in the right place. At least I think it was,” I tell him.

“It was. I didn’t want Maya to have to deal with any more heartache after all she went through with our parents abandoning her and their own grandchild, and then Christian up and leaving town.”

“Well, I’m glad you are going to try to make amends with Christian.”

Holding up his big palms toward me, he says, “Whoa, I didn’t say anything about making amends.”

“Telling him he’s the father to your nephew is going to require some amends, Preston. Whether you like it or not, you’ll have to get used to him being around without hitting him in front of Finley.”

His big hand scrubs over his beard as he considers that. “Wow. I guess you’re right.”

“It’s a good thing to let go of your anger, at him and at yourself. And you have the best reason to do it now—for Finley’s sake. He deserves to grow up with a father.”

“How can you be so sure that arrogant prick will want to be a dad?”

Giving him a small smile, I tell him the truth. “I just know. He’s arrogant and can be a prick, yes. But Christian has his moments of decency.”

“Like when he asked you to take him back?”

“He was just jealous or wanted to hurt you back. Actually, I think he’s still in love with your sister.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Huh. She loved him, too. It’s possible she still does.”

“Maybe you could try to let them figure that out without interfering this time?”

“I will. And, um, I may not even be around them as much if I accept the offer from San Diego.”

“Oh. You got an offer to play for the Grizzlies?” I say in understanding.

“I did.”

“That’s great, Preston.”

“At least I don’t think they’ve revoked it yet. My agent wanted me to sign it like last week, in case I screwed up and got thrown out of a game. I should’ve listened but...”

“You’ve known since last week? And you didn’t tell me?”

“I wanted to, Elle. I did. But I was scared of how you would react to me moving to the West Coast when this was so new between us.”

Preston’s moving to California.

My stomach sinks and I’m not even sure why. Because I thought he was here to ask me to take him back and instead he came to make amends before moving across the country?

“I don’t think Maya is going to up and move Finley out of his school and home in D.C., though.”

“Right. That-that makes sense,” I say.

“So, it’ll just be me this time, living on my own.”

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