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“Maybe Kade can give Cyrus some tips on how to sit through a movie.” Abby looked at me as if she owed me something.

“Or maybe I can give the girls some tips on how to sit through a full game of sports without complaining.” The words just came off my lips. It was my automatic reaction to have my dad’s back, and it caused the always serious Reaper to laugh.

“Now that I would love to see. Eve and Hannah have some six senses when it comes to an important sports game. Sudden disaster is sure to occur.” Reaper spoke as if this happened every time he sat down to watch a game.

By the look Reaper was giving me, it was like I had gone up on some scale of respect or something.

Right now would be great timing for Tyson and Hannah to reappear but they didn’t.

“Well, there is a game on tonight, if I recall. Perfect practice for Hannah and Eve.” I shot Eve a grin, causing her to scoff. “Trust me, a football game is easier to watch than eighteen holes of golf. Or better yet, test cricket.”

“You watch golf?” Reaper asked, honestly sounding shocked.

“Yeah, I ended up taking it up; well, Alfie was too young and the boys went through a stage of refusing to go with Dad so I was dragged along. And before I knew it, I had a handicap.” I was sharing more about Cyrus’s and my relationship than I ever had. I wouldn’t lie, Cyrus was a great dad. The only dad I had ever wanted or needed.

I just usually didn’t share that we were that close with anyone.

“God, I’d rather eat carbs than play golf,” Eve scoffed. “Nothing is more boring than golf and the only good thing a golf club is for is as a murder weapon.”

“Trust me, a gun is a cheaper option.” Again it just came; it was the truth though. And it seemed me knowing that fact caused Reaper to laugh again.

The front door opened and Tyson and Hannah were back. Why was Hannah giving me that look? I narrowed my eyes at my best friend. It hadn’t occurred till now that her sudden need to see her brother had something to do with me.

Tyson casually walked in and then froze next to me, his eyes widening on his parents. What, had he never seen his dad hug his mum before? God, I would think he was used to seeing his parents all over each other.

“You ready to go, Hannah?” I twirled the keys in my hand. “We’re pushing it for time,” I reminded her.

“Yep.” She nodded her head, and then looked at Abby. “Mum, can you invite Brad and Andrea tonight?” Hannah’s words had nerves in them. “Maybe give them a better impression of what a dinner with us is like.” She glanced at her dad but then her eyes were focused back on her mum.

“Andrea and Brad broke up,” Abby spoke and I saw Hannah’s expression.

Well, what a surprise, Brad broke it off with his girlfriend. I wondered why. It took all my control to not roll my eyes and not give Hannah credit for causing it. Clearly Brad thought more of Hannah than he did his of his club girlfriend.

“Oh,” was all Hannah managed to say and honestly it did sound like that fact had surprised her. “Well, that’s no good. I really liked Andrea,” she added; well, at least she put effort into that. Because it generally did sound like she meant it.

Abby shrugged, like the reason to Brad’s actions was a mystery and it was a mystery. If a mystery was blonde with killer blue eyes and a perfectly shaped body.

“We should invite Layla’s family then,” Hannah spoke again, and this time my head snapped in her direction. Was she serious? Cyrus and Reaper weren’t on speaking terms at the moment.

My ability to mend things was only so good. I couldn’t force Cyrus to accept whatever reason Reaper was going to feed him.

“That’s a good idea,” Reaper spoke up. “I’ll make the call.” His eyes went to me, as if telling me everything was going to go smoothly. I wondered if Reaper had ever seen the side to my dad that wasn’t understanding? Because I knew that was how Cyrus was right now.

“Good, the parents will handle it. Let’s go.” Hannah pulled on my arm, and I didn’t know whether she suddenly wanted to run because her dad and her had agreed on something or if she really wanted to be on time for her appointment.

“Tyson and I are heading to school as well.” Eve suddenly wrapped her hand around Tyson’s arm. “We have missed a lot of school.”

“Are you insane? There’s like two hours left!” Tyson looked at his sister like she was a dumb blonde, but he was the dumb one because clearly Eve just wanted to give her parents the house to themselves. It took half a minute for Tyson to switch on. “Right, we should go.” Tyson finally caught onto Eve’s angle.

And just like that, Eve and Tyson were following Hannah and me out, leaving Abby and Reaper with some space to talk, because I’m just taking a stab in the dark and saying Abby didn’t take him hitting their daughter very well.

“Um, Layla?”

I was about to open my car door when Tyson’s words stopped me. I turned to look at him. “What, Wilson?” I noticed how he had picked the timing between Hannah getting in the car and Eve getting out of earshot.

“I really wanted to use your number.” He took a step closer. “Do you think we could convince our dads that you spending the night wouldn’t result in me crossing lines with you?”

Well, that was one hell of a bold angle to take. I was slightly impressed he had the balls to say that. As if I had already agreed.

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