Kevin chewed his lip. "Mom? Can I tell you something?"
"Always."
"I'm glad you and Shane are together."
April went still. Shane tensed in the hallway.
"What makes you think Shane and I are together?"
Kevin gave her a look that was pure exasperation. "Mom. Come on. He spent the night while I was gone. He's here all the time. You smile different when he's around. And also, you kissed him."
"You saw that?"
"I see a lot of things." Kevin rolled his eyes. “Grownups think kids are so dumb.” He tilted his head. "Are you mad I noticed?"
April let out a surprised laugh. "No, baby. I'm not mad."
"Good." Kevin paused, then added in a rush, "Because I've been trying to get you two together since forever and I'm really glad it finally worked."
The world seemed to tilt sideways. Shane felt it from the hallway—the moment April's fear kicked back in.
Oh, shit, kid. That was the worst possible thing you could have said just now.
"What do you mean, it finally worked?"
"I mean..." Kevin looked suddenly uncertain. "I kind of... planned it? A little?"
"Planned it how?"
"Like the night we went hiking and he was gonna leave. I kinda pretended to freak out."
April’s face went stark white. “You faked that tantrum?”
Kevin was talking faster now. "I just thought if you guys spent more time together you'd realize you love each other and then we could be a family."
April stood up slowly. "You manipulated us?"
"No! I just—" Kevin scrambled off the bed. "You're happy! You love Shane! He loves you!"
"That's not the point, Kevin. You can't trick people into relationships. That's not okay."
"But youarehappy! Aren't you?"
Shane felt at a total loss. He was so far out of his depth.
But if I’m going to be a good father to this boy and a good husband to this woman, I can’t stand here like a coward. Even if I don’t know the first thing about being either one.
He stepped into the room, and both Kevin and April turned to look at him.
"Buddy," Shane said gently. "Can you give your mom and me a minute?"
Kevin looked between them, his face crumpling again. "Am I in trouble?"
"No." Shane kept his voice calm. "We just need to talk. Adult stuff."
Kevin nodded miserably and sat back on his bed, pulling his knees up again. Shane guided April back into the living room.
"He manipulated us," April said the moment they were out of earshot. Her hands were shaking. "He schemed and lied and?—"
