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D arius called me this morning, letting me know that he and Alicia will be visiting soon to watch a couple of my games. I know they’re just being nice, but I can’t help but feel happily overwhelmed by the gesture.

He could have forgotten about me the day I moved out, and I still would have been forever grateful for all they had done for me. I certainly wouldn’t be here without them.

I don’t know what it’s like to have parents, let alone ones who care about me unconditionally. But they’re the closest I’ve ever gotten to begin to understand.

Maybe Alora would like to meet them.

What the fuck? That thought came out of nowhere, taking me by complete surprise.

That’s not happening, especially not yet. Not when we just started … whatever the hell this is. But at the same time, in a way … she feels permanent.

I’m still confused about everything that’s transpired recently. But I can’t go back, and I don’t want to. I meant every word I said to her, even if it scares the absolute hell out of me.

The more I get to know her and sneak beneath the masks she wears, I think the likelihood of her being anything like her father is slim to none.

Even that thought feels like a betrayal to Micah and to myself. Because if it’s true, then the years of pain I caused her were only out of pure cruelty and not out of justified vengeance.

If she’s truly innocent, then I really am the villain. Maybe I have been all along, but I was too blinded by grief and rage to ever see clearly.

The other side of the coin is that she is the epitome of who I thought she was and I am but a pawn to her. But to be honest, as long as I get to have her, I’ll play whatever game she wants for the rest of my life.

Getting home from morning skate, I find Blair and Mrs. Potts in the kitchen. Griffin and I walk in together and join them.

“Hello, dears,” Mrs. Potts greets us with a smile.

“Mmm, that smells delicious,” Griffin praises, walking over to Blair and stealing a quick kiss.

Chip races into the room and runs straight to Griffin, squeezing him as tightly as he can. Their dog is right behind him.

“Hey, buddy!” Griffin hugs him back, bending down to embrace him.

Chip smiles up at him.

He has autism and is nonverbal, but you can always tell what he’s thinking because he has the most expressive facial expressions, as if closed captions were written on his forehead.

He’s Mrs. Potts’s son, who—along with Mrs. Potts—has lived with Griffin for years, nearly Chip’s entire life. I know Griffin looks at him like a little brother and would do anything for his found family.

I want that. Desperately . And I want it with Alora.

“Hey, Blair.” I clear my throat.

She, along with Griffin, turns to look at me. “Yeah?”

I’m terrified, scared shitless. But maybe it’s time I start following my heart instead of my head.

“Can you invite Alora to tonight’s game?”

She fights back her smile. “And why can’t you do it yourself?”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I sigh. “I don’t want her thinking it’s a prank.”

“Why the hell would she think it’s a prank?” She scoffs, and I watch the moment her gaze shifts from confusion to anger. “You asshole. Did you pull that kind of shit on her in high school?”

I remain quiet for a moment before owning up to it. “Yeah, all the time.”

Her jaw unhinges. “Malik …” She says my name with disappointment. “The fact that that girl is even talking to you, let alone kissing you, is nothing short of a miracle.”

My lips tip into a grin. “Oh, trust me, I know. And I’m not about to fuck it up now.”

She pulls out her phone. “Promise me you aren’t going to pull any shit. I don’t want to be your accomplice.”

Crossing my heart with my finger, I answer her with the utmost sincerity, “I swear it.”