Page 46 of Unsaid Things

Chris raised his eyebrows, and Lance pushed his hand through his hair. “Why would she lie to me about that?”

Rubbing a hand over his jaw, Chris looked thoughtful for a moment. “I don’t know, man. I would guess that her brother is the one who needs the money, and she’s embarrassed to tell you. Either because she’s embarrassed about whatever her brother needs the money for, or that she’s willing to give it to him. Or both.”

Shit. For his reputation as a dumb jock, Chris was perceptive. Lance nodded, his mind racing, frustration and anger bubbling under the surface.

“What are you going to do?”

Lance shook his head. “I don’t know yet, man. Wait and see, I guess. I caught her by surprise yesterday by being home when she got there. Maybe she panicked. Maybe she’ll tell me what’s going on later. Or maybe her brother lied to her, and she thinks that her mom really does need the money.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

Suddenly antsy, Lance stood, checking his phone for the time. “It’s getting late. I think I’ll get Abby and head home.”

“Sure. Of course. We still working out this week?”

“Of course, man. I wouldn’t leave you hanging during the week before your big show.”

Chris chuckled and walked with Lance toward the kitchen, stepping in front of him to go inside first. Lance let him. With his thoughts still churning, he wanted to make sure his face was under control. He clung to the hope that Aaron had lied to her so he could keep his simmering anger at bay. One way or another he was determined to figure out what was really going on.

Megan cast a glance at Abby and turned the water on in the sink. “You have to know I’m not letting you clean up after your own birthday party.”

“That’s fine.” Abby leaned against the counter. “I’ll stand here and watch you. I don’t feel like talking about training with the boys.”

She reached for a glass to hand to Megan, who took it with a glare. “Stop helping.”

Sighing, Abby dragged a chair over from the table and plopped down in it, close enough to talk, far enough away to be out of reach of the dirty dishes. “I mean, I love Chris, and I know the whatevers thing that he has to try for the NFL are coming up soon, and he’s been working really hard. But listening to him talk about his training schedule and personal records and stuff makes me want to go to sleep.”

Megan snickered. “I know. I have a hard time talking about it, too. And he talks about it a lot. I’m always glad when he gets to hang with Lance or Matt, because they all get into it. I just try to keep my eyes from glazing over.” She paused while she rinsed out a pan and placed it in the open dishwasher. “I’m really proud of him, though. He’s so focused. I don’t know what’ll happen next weekend, but he’s working his ass off. And he’s on track to graduate in May, which is a huge deal, since he didn’t plan on graduating at all a few months ago.”

“Yeah. I’m glad he’s found a direction. I hope next weekend goes well.”

“Me too. I wish I could go with him, but there’s too much going on with the show, and the airfare is too much this close. His dad’s going, though, so at least he’ll have some moral support.”

“Oh, cool. I didn’t realize that. Speaking of his dad, any plans to meet his parents yet?”

Megan tilted her head to one side. “We’re supposed to go to Port Orchard for Spring Break. I’m already nervous about it, even though Chris assures me I have no reason to be.”

Abby chuckled. “I know what you mean, though. I’d talked to Lance’s mom on the phone several times since August, but meeting her in person was a whole other thing. I was so nervous, and flying down was the worst. I thought I might puke from the nerves and being tired alone. Add in turbulence and my first time flying, and I’m surprised I didn’t need the barf bag after all.”

“Aw, Abs. I’m glad it went okay, though. Lance has a way of calming you down too.”

“Yeah. That’s probably the reason I was at all okay during that trip. And then it all ended so badly. I ruined Christmas for his family.” She wrinkled her nose. “Gabby’s staying with us when she comes for her audition next week, so at least they’re not still mad at me.”

Megan shot her a pointed look. “Of course they’re not mad at you. You didn’t ruin Christmas. Besides, they have to see that you make their son happy. That should be enough for any parents.”

“It’s not enough for yours.” Megan wasn’t on speaking terms with her father after a big blowup on Thanksgiving.

Megan froze, her eyes trained on her hands under the running water in the sink. Abby clapped both hands over her mouth. “I’m so sorry, Megan. I don’t know why I said that. That was awful.”

Megan slowly moved again, finishing with the plate in her hand. She placed it carefully in the dishwasher and dried her hands, never looking at Abby. “The situation with my parents is very different. Their issue wasn’t with Chris. Not him specifically. It’s with me. Always me. You know I’m the black sheep.”

Abby nodded, standing and going to Megan. When Megan looked at her, tears filmed her eyes. “Oh, Megan. I really am sorry. I wasn’t trying to be horrible. I know it’s not the same. I’m sorry your parents don’t get how awesome you are and try to force you to be someone you’re not. They’re missing out. And it’s their loss. Chris’s parents will love you. Chris says so. You’ve already talked to them a bunch of times and said they seem great. You have no reason to be nervous.”

Megan nodded, rubbing her nose with a finger and blinking rapidly. Abby hugged her again. “I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad. It’s just … hard. And it hurts.”

Abby pulled back, still looking at Megan who kept her face down, looking at her hands, fiddling with the ring on her thumb. “You mentioned that your mom called that one time. Has she called again?”

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