promised, crossing her heart solemnly before she went up the back steps. Before she could open the screen door that Jordan had let slam behind him, Wade reached up and touched her arm.
“Lily, wait a second.”
She figured that he must need help with something to do with the nuptials, but his expression was one of concern.
“I wanted you to know that I’ve asked Steve to be my best man,” he said quietly. “Given the history between you two, I hope it’s not going to be a problem for you, but he’s become a good friend since I came here.”
Everyone knew that Steve had been her steady boyfriend for two years before she had suddenly left town. Wade was aware that she hadn’t told Steve her plans or spoken to him since.
Deliberately, she plastered on a wide smile. “I’m fine with it,” she exclaimed, seeing his shoulders slump in relief. “He and I are ancient history.”
She was surprised when Wade’s frown didn’t lessen. “Have you talked to him yet?” he probed.
She lifted her brows, feigning ignorance. “About what?”
Wade’s glance flicked toward the house and then back to her face. “I know it’s none of my business—” he began.
“But I appreciate your concern,” Lily cut in as she opened the screen door. She didn’t want Jordan to overhear them. “I’m parched,” she continued. “Want some lemonade?”
Wade reached for a sports bag hanging on a hook in the laundry room. “No, thanks, but if you want to talk…” His voice trailed off when Jordan pounded down the staircase.
The knot in Lily’s stomach tightened when he appeared in the kitchen seconds later wearing his old Lakers tank top and baggy shorts. More than anything, she wanted to protect him from ever being hurt or disappointed, even though she knew it was an unrealistic goal.
“Hey, buddy, grab me one, too,” Wade said as Jordan opened the door to the refrigerator and removed a bottled water.
Tucking his basketball under his arm, he complied. “See ya, Mom,” he said as he walked past Lily.
She was stunned to realize how much he’d shot up in the past few months. Before she knew it, he would be all grown-up. Without a shred of remorse, she refused to think of the years his father had already missed.
Before Wade followed Jordan out the door, he gave her a hard look. “The boy deserves the truth.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking,” Lily whispered after Wade had closed the door behind him.
Could Jordan handle the truth? Could any of them?
Chapter Two
“I thought we were going to the park,” Jordan said, frowning out the window of Wade’s truck as they went down an unfamiliar street.
Would Jordan ever learn his way around this stupid burg? Back in L.A., he knew which buses to take to all the important places when his mom didn’t have time to drive him: the skateboard park, the closest mall, the library and a couple of his buddies’ houses. Crescent Cove didn’t even have buses except for the Greyhound that stopped out on the highway once a day. When he’d asked his mom if he could ride the ferry to Seattle by himself, she’d practically freaked.
The street they were on was narrow and curvy with patches all over the pavement. Tree branches dipped low, making Jordan feel as though they were going down a green tunnel.
“I have to run an errand first,” Wade replied. “A friend of mine forgot some papers he needs, so we’re going to drop them off at his building site.”
Wade stared straight ahead, looking like he wasn’t happy about it.
“Are you and your friend in a fight?” Jordan asked. “You look mad.”
He didn’t like it when people argued. Francis, his and Mom’s friend back in California, always spoke softly except when he got mad at his partner, Augustine, for charging too many clothes on his credit card. Then Jordan could hear their angry voices clear over in the guest house where he and his mom lived.
Had lived until Francis dropped dead right in his fancy kitchen. After that, Mom said she guessed it was time to come home, he reminded himself. Except this totally lame and boring town would never feel like home to Jordan. It didn’t have a skateboard park or a cinema, except for one tiny old theater that showed art films, whatever they were.
His question must have surprised Wade, because when he finally turned his head, his dark brows had climbed up his forehead, making wrinkles.
“No, I’m not fighting with him,” Wade replied. “Why would you think that? He’s my buddy, same as you.”
Jordan shrugged, feeling self-conscious. He would never understand grown-ups, not even when he became one himself. “Wow. He’s building a house?” he asked. “Can I see it?”
Wade grinned and Jordan was able to relax again.
“He’s building two houses, but one is nearly done. We’ll have to wear hard hats around the other one,” Wade cautioned. “I’ll even show you the framing I did.”
“Cool,” Jordan exclaimed eagerly, even though he wasn’t sure what framing had to do with anything. Back in California, he had driven by houses that were only partly finished, of course, but not to stop and walk through them. This might be nearly as much fun as shooting hoops.
“Steve’s a neat guy,” Wade added in the same casual tone that adults used when they said the shot won’t hurt or your new school will be great. “You’ll like him.”
Jordan wasn’t fooled for a minute. He’d heard about Steve from Cory’s pal, Ryan, when he’d said that Steve was Jordan’s real dad. Sure, Jordan was curious about him, but he wasn’t sure that he was ready to actually meet the guy face-to-face. What if Steve acted disappointed?
Suddenly he wished he’d worn his new Sonics shirt instead of his old tank top, and that he hadn’t argued when Mom said he needed a haircut.
“Maybe you could go later, after you dropped me off at Aunt Pauline’s,” he suggested uncertainly as he wet the tip of his finger and rubbed a chocolate stain on the leg of his shorts.
“What’s the matter?” Wade asked as he slowed to make another turn. The houses were farther apart here, with pastures and stables mixed in between them. There were more fir trees, too. “A minute ago you were excited about it.”
“Nothing,” Jordan denied automatically. “I just remembered that Mom wants me home early today.” He hated the way his voice squeaked, but he felt as though someone had hold of his neck, choking off his air.
Wade reached over and patted his knee. “It’s okay,” he said, his calm tone reminding Jordan of the way Francis spoke when he wanted him to try something new, like jumping off the diving board into the pool, which turned out to be pretty fun, or tasting sushi for the first time. Gross.
“Just say hi, all right? It won’t be anything heavy, I promise.” Wade grinned. “Besides, aren’t you
