I drained the last of my coffee. “Talk about what?”
“Guess it’ll have to wait,” Alba muttered. “Look.”
I followed her gaze. Sarah was crossing the garden, and behind her trailed Dad and Sharon.
Nausea rose in my stomach. First time I’d seen them since they read my diary. I hadn’t even expected them to remember my birthday, much less show up.
“I’ll wait in the yoga room,” Alba said, standing. “Unless you want me here.”
“No, it’s fine.” I gathered our empty cups and dropped them in the trash by the bench. “I guess they’re here for a reason.”
A reason I knew had nothing to do with me turning nineteen.
“See you later, then,” Alba said softly. “And good luck.”
She jogged toward the French doors, leaving me to brace for whatever unpleasantness followed. It always did when Dad decided to appear unannounced.
Sarah stayed behind, but Dad and Sharon advanced. Him stern, jaw tight, like always; her wearing a plastered smile, clutching his arm.
“Happy birthday, Kaia,” Dad said, reaching into the pocket of his navy blazer. He handed me a small envelope.
I took it with my trembling fingers.
A clothing store gift card. Cold. Impersonal. Just like us.
“Thank you,” I said, unable to fake happiness but unwilling to sound ungrateful.
“We wanted to talk to you.” Dad hugged Sharon’s shoulders. “Sharon and I are getting married in February. We expect you to attend the wedding.”
Married? After all these years, he finally proposed. Maybe because Asher and I were both gone. Maybe because we weren’t together anymore. Maybe now it was convenient to play family.
I fiddled with the card, eyes burning. They’d been together long enough, so why did it still sting?
“Congratulations,” I said. “Will Asher be there too?”
Dad’s jaw flexed, nostrils flaring the way they always did when he was barely holding back. Sharon squeezed his arm, steadying him before he could snap.
“We don’t know,” she said. “But if he is, we were hoping you’d make him reconsider his decision to leave the team.”
Lack of sleep must’ve scrambled my hearing. “You hopeI’llmake him what?”
“He’s decided not to stay with Forward Racing, but now that we’ll be family, it might look odd if he doesn’t race for his stepfather.”
Angry tears stung. Unbelievable. “You’re asking me to help with your son after you told my dad about my diary? What’s your excuse, Sharon—that you wereworried? That’s why you violated my privacy?”
She lowered her gaze to her red pointed shoes, then sighed. “Your dad was worried, Kaia, and with good reason. Your relationship with my son was wrong. He’s an adult, you’re still in high school. And soon we’ll be family. As a team owner, your dad doesn’t need that kind of negative attention.”
Your dad, your dad, your dad. Always about him. I shot to my feet as if the bench had burned me. “Asher and I aren’t together. There’s norelationship. Bet you’re thrilled now.”
“Kaia,” Dad hissed. “We came here with the best of intentions, to give you the news the right way.”
“Well, thank you.” I wiped my arm across my eyes. “Don’t worry, I never thought you were here because it’s my birthday. What’s the gift card for? A dress for your wedding?”
Sharon sighed. My father kissed her temple, as if she were the one who needed comfort.
“I’ll let you two get going. I’m sure you have better places to be,” I said. “Don’t bother visiting again. See you in February.”
I bolted for the yoga room, rage burning through me. As soon as I slipped inside and leaned against the door, panting, Alba slid off the windowsill. “What’s going on?”
