Page 66 of Keeping it Real

“You forget that Madison grew up in the next town over.She had plenty of friends.”

Some a lot friendlier than others.

“I guess,” he rambled on.“But I always got the sense she was fondest of you.”

Time for a new topic.There were too many landmines buried in any conversation involving Madison.It stung to hear Alek speaking about his ex with such concern.To know he was still fond of her despite everything she’d done.

Except he didn’t knoweverythingMadison had done.

“What did Finn say about the upper school boys?”she asked.

Alek hesitated a moment, as if he knew she’d changed the subject on purpose.He didn’t question it, though.

“He promised to tell us if they bully him again.The teachers will be on the lookout, too.”

She sighed against his chest.“Why do people have to be so cruel?”

“Mm,” was all he said.

His breathing became more rhythmic, a sure sign he was drifting off to sleep.She nudged his shoulder.

“Hey.You need to go to your own room.”

“Five more minutes,” he mumbled.

That was the last thing she remembered until Finn called her name the following morning.

“Aunt Sheri!”

She jumped from the bed, frantically searching for her flannel sleep pants and T-shirt.Finn jiggled the handle on the bathroom door.

“The door is locked,” Finn cried.“How come the door is locked?”

“I’m coming.”She shoved her arms into her T-shirt before glancing back at the bed.

Alek was struggling with his sweats.A bruise was forming on his shoulder, likely from where she’d bitten him.His hair stood up on its ends and there was a line of pink scratch marks down the center of his back.

“Aunt Sheridan!”Finn tried the door again.

Unable to keep her nephew waiting any longer, she took advantage of Alek’s grogginess and shoved him off the other side of the mattress before rushing to the bathroom.

“What’s wrong, little man?”She unlocked the door, sliding through before closing it again behind her.“Did you have a scary dream?”

Finn wrapped his arms around her waist.“I didn’t flood.”His blue eyes were shining with pride when he tilted his face up.

Relief coursed through her.She brushed the hair out of his eyes before bending down to kiss him on the forehead.“That’s great news.I told you it wouldn’t be forever.This calls for a special breakfast.How about some cinnamon toast?”

He shook his head as he pulled away.“It’s game day.I want eggs.Just like the ones Alek eats for breakfast on game day.”

“You don’t like eggs.”

“I do now.”He raced into his room.“Come on, Hattie.Let’s go check your Instagram on the computer.”

The dog gave her a dopey smile before Finn popped his head back in.

“If I promise not to take it to school, can I have Dad’s phone back?”

Not wanting to dim his joy, she nodded her head.