Page 48 of After Hours Lectures

He looked up and smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that because I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?”

I reeled back. “What? Why?”

“Forget it. I shouldn’t have asked.” He tried to stand but I stopped him by grabbing his wrist. “You’ve made your feelings about her very clear.”

“If you want me there, then I’ll go.” I released him.

“Thanks.” He walked to the door.

“Are you going to tell Dad?” I asked, following him.

“I probably should.”

“Let him have a beer first,” I suggested. Our father wouldn’t be happy to know we were meeting with Lisa. It wasn’t that he tried to dictate what sort of relationship we had with her, but rather he’d worry since he’d witnessed all the emotional trauma she’d inflicted on us over the years.

We headed outside to join our dads and brother by the fire. I stopped at the mini fridge in the corner where I knew they kept the beer. “Anyone need one?” I asked, holding a bottle of Coors Light in the air.

“I do,” Dylan and Jase said in unison.

“Anyone over the age of twenty-one?” I teased, but still grabbed them each one.

Chase laughed. “I’m sure they drink harder shit at school.”

“We sure as hell did,” my dad added. “And I’ll take another.”

I handed out the bottles and took a seat.

The five of us chilled for a bit, catching each other up on what we’d been doing the last few months.

We’d just finished a second round of beer when Dylan said, “So, um”—he looked at me and I gave him an encouraging nod—“I’m meeting Lisa for breakfast tomorrow.”

Dad raised an eyebrow. “You are?”

“Yeah.” Dylan picked at the label on his bottle, not looking at anyone.

“Hey, I’m not upset,” Dad affirmed, placing a hand on Dylan’s knee.

My brother raised his head. “You’re not?”

“Of course not. I just worry about you. But I’ll always support the decisions you make when it comes to your mother,” he said, echoing my thoughts from earlier.

“I’m going with him,” I added, hoping that would alleviate some of our father’s concern.

“Really?” Chase asked. “Now I’m sorta worried for Lisa.”

Despite the seriousness of the conversation, we all chuckled. Chase had had a front row seat to the drama that had gone down years ago, and knew exactly how I felt about that woman.

We continued chatting for a while, but eventually called it a night since we all had a lot going on the next day.

After a quick shower, I climbed into bed, but sleep didn’t come easy as the worry about facing Lisa gnawed at me.

* * *

The next morning,Dylan and I took off after promising to be back in time to help with the party prep.

Both of us were quiet on the way to the diner where Lisa had wanted to meet, and when my brother pulled into the parking lot, we both hesitated to get out. My leg was bouncing and my palms began to sweat.

“Maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” he said, staring at the restaurant in front of us.