Page 90 of For the Win

Which is a little weird to think about, because her stepsons are about the same age as her.

She smiles serenely.“This is a good chance for us to all talk.”

Mr.Wynn frowns.“About what?”

There’s another tense exchange of glances.

“I feel like I shouldn’t be here,” I whisper to Harrison, leaning over.

He sets a hand on my back and rubs a small circle.“You’re probably going to wish you weren’t.”He sighs.

My stomach tightens.This seems like it’s going to be a very personal family discussion.

“Let me start,” Everly says.“Mark, Matthew, I’m sorry that I blurted out all that stuff that night at the game.Actually, I’m not sorry I said it; I’m sorry I said itthere.That wasn’t the appropriate place for that discussion.

“I missed it,” Mark murmurs.“But Matt filled me in.”

“We’re worried,” Everly continues, shooting her dad a glance.“This family needs to come together.Now more than ever.”

“You need to know,” Mrs.Wynn adds.“The doctors have confirmed that your dad has Alzheimer’s.”

I watch Matthew and Mark.Mark’s throat works; Matthew’s jaw tightens.

“Are you absolutely sure about that?”Matthew asks.“What about a second opinion?”

“We’ve seen a several doctors,” Mrs.Wynn replies.“They’re all in agreement.And they’re excellent doctors.”

There’s music playing from an outdoor speaker, but it seems to fade in the midst of the opaque silence that descends over us.I poke at a piece of grilled zucchini, wishing I could go get locked in the bathroom again.

“I’m not questioning the doctors,” Matthew says, his voice rough.“Just...”

“You’re in denial, like the rest of us,” Everly says quietly.She swipes a finger under one eye but lifts her chin.

“What are you talking about?”Mr.Wynn asks irritably.“The doctors said I’m fine.”

Everly’s lip trembles.Harrison closes his eyes briefly.

Mark and Matthew look to Mrs.Wynn.She shakes her head, her expression pinched.

“This lawsuit has to be settled,” Everly speaks up.“Now you know why.”

Mark and Matthew exchange glances and slowly nod.

“I have some information put together,” Mrs.Wynn says to them.“This isn’t the time, but if we could sit down and go through it, I have a...”She stops.“A proposal, I suppose.After the playoffs, maybe?”

“You didn’t steal that girl from your brother, did you?”Mr.Wynn suddenly demands.

He’s looking at Harrison.And me.

My mouth falls open.I turn to Harrison, confused.

“No, Dad,” he says.

“Good.Because that’s a dick move.”

“I know.”Harrison leans closer to me.“He’s thinking of JP.”He pauses.“I don’t think it’s worth getting into it.”

“JP stole his brother’s girlfriend?”

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