My arms slowly unfold as exhaustion hits me, and I tuck my hands into the pockets of my joggers while my eyes fall to the pavement under my feet. I played a tough match last night—one we lost—but I don’t think that’s why my legs feel like jelly. “I mean I was adopted as a kid and recently found strong evidence suggesting I am biologically Lola’s son. DNA test,” I add when she keeps staring at me.
All of Spitfire’s anger dissolves in an instant as she looks from me to the front door. “Whoa. Does she—”
“No, she doesn’t know. At least, she hasn’t met me before.”
“So you thought it was a good idea to show up on her doorstep?”
I take a slow, steadying breath as my mind flits back to a pitiful text conversation from a week ago. My first attempt at making contact.
Logan:
Is this Lola Shafer?
Lola:
Yes, who is this?
Logan:
This is going to sound mad, but I think I’m your son. You gave me up for adoption twenty-seven yearsago in August.
Lola:
How did you get this number?
Logan:
I’m not asking for anything. I just want to meet.
Lola:
You have the wrong number.
Don’t contact me again.
Logan:
Please.
I have some questions to ask you, and then I’ll be out of your life again.
You owe me that much.
That went about how I expected it would, given my lack of tact, and I shouldn’t have sent that last message when my frustration boiled over. But because I couldn’t leave well enough alone, I hunted down her address. And here I am.
Blocked by a woman half my weight and twenty centimeters shorter than me. She and her giant bag are the only things standing between me and knocking on Lola’s door.
Well, and my cowardice, which is admittedly the stronger contender.
I still need to figure out how Spitfire knows Lola, and right now that’s an easier task than facing the woman who abandoned me and apparently still wants nothing to do with me.
“What’s your name?” I ask instead of answering her question about coming to the house.
Spitfire takes a step back, as if surprised. “What?”
“Your name, love.”
“I’m not your love, Logan. I don’t know you.”
