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CHAPTER ONE

Shelby

“Want to tell me what happened?” I whisper.

Sam shakes her head. Closing her eyes, she wipes at the wetness on her lashes with the heel of her hands, pushing the blond hair out of her face.

I open my mouth but say nothing. She’s been my best friend since high school, and I know when to back off.

Whatever happened between her and her brother is staying between them.

My phone chimes on the arm of the sofa next to my hand.

I take that back.

Kaleb’s name flashes on the screen.

“It’s him,” I tell her.

“Ignore it.”

But we both know I can’t. He’ll just call again . . . and again. I shrug a quick sorry, earning an eye roll.

“Hey, Kaleb,” I greet, trying to keep it light.

“Hi, sweetpea, is she with you?”

Seems I’m not the only one putting on a front. I’ve known this man just as long as his sister. He’s pissed. Like mad, mad.

“Who?” I ask. God loves a tryer.

“Give Samantha the phone,” he demands dryly.

“You’re on speaker,” I murmur.

Samantha’s eyes widen. I wave my hand. What did she expect me to do?

“I’ve been calling and texting you.”

I push the cell close to the blonde when she doesn’t answer him.

Finally, she drags out, “Don’t have my phone.”

“We’ve talked about this, Samantha.”

I imagine Kaleb with his eyes closed, praying for patience, and cringe.

“You’re not my fucking dad,” Sam snaps.

My mouth forms a small O. She should not have said that. Talk about poking the bear. The man may not be her dad, but he has spent the past few years looking out for her.

For me too. Kaleb was one of the first people to check in on me after my dad passed earlier this year.

My heart squeezes with loss. I miss him. I push out a breath and send the thought with it. If I think about Dad now, I’ll cry.

“I noticed. The other night made that particularly clear.”

Sam and I gasp, his insinuation clear.