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The thought sends my pulse into overdrive. I clench my hand around my cup and then quickly force my muscles to relax. The last thing I want is for my dad to see me lose my temper.

“No. She’s not.” I swallow the boulder lodged in my throat. “I asked her what’s going on, and she said she’s busy. And she’s stressed about Elena moving to Boston.”

Dad nods, his eyes softening. “Yeah, they’re all nervous. Xander is losing his mind at the thought of Isla moving across the country and living with his parents.”

A wave of nausea washes over me as I process his words. “What do you mean? I thought it was just an idea.”

“An idea they’re seriously considering, yeah.” Dad slips his hands into his pockets. “Nothing’s been decided yet. I think it all comes down to what Isla wants. Xander can’t say no to her.”

Despite all the nervousness, I snort. “Like you aren’t the same way. Especially with Meg.”

With a smile, he shakes his head. “Mocking your dad won’t get you anywhere, kid.”

“Please, I’m not mocking you. You’re the best dad in the world.”

“Wow.” Mom whistles as she appears in the doorway. “What did I miss? And what did you do?” She arches a brow at me.

Dad rolls his eyes. “You think he’s sucking up to me so I won’t punish him? Is that what you’re saying? Like that’s the only possible reason for him to acknowledge I’m the best?”

“Apparently, someone in this family can’t take a joke.” Mom comes closer and snakes her arm around Dad’s torso. He wraps his arm around her shoulder, now both staring at me.

Awesome.

“So, is one of you gonna tell me why you’re in here instead of hanging out with your guests?” Mom asks.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to find out.” Dad runs his hand up and down her arm.

“I’m fine, promise. Just needed a moment to myself.”

Mom taps her index finger to her lips, her emerald-green eyes narrowing slightly. “Is that Sienna girl your girlfriend?”

My jaw unhinges. “Er…” It’s the only sound I can force out, my voice betraying me.

“Which one is she?” Dad glances out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the group of kids.

“Long blonde hair. Blue eyes. She’s wearing a denim dress and cowboy boots.”

Frowning, Dad looks from me to my mom. “The one who singsonged, ‘Hi, Mr. Thompson, you look great for a dad’ when she walked in?”

The snicker that leaves my mom’s mouth is diabolical. “That’s the one.”

“Goodness.” He shivers, not bothering to hide the way his face is scrunched. “Is she your girlfriend?”

“No. She’s not.” I set my cup on the table with a sigh. “I’ll go and spend time with my guests.”

As I walk out onto the terrace, my parents burst into laughter.

Head hung, I force myself to join the crowd. Mom and Dad are amazing, and I love them, but they can be such a pain in the ass.

I scan the yard, noting where everyone is. Sienna is dancing with several girls from school. Asher is in the pool with other guys from the team. Turner sits on a sunbed, away from the group. I only invited him because I invited all my other teammates, but now I’m glad I did. Dad’s comment about Isla and Boston still bounces around in my head, and Isla has been spending a lot of time with Turner, so maybe he knows something I don’t.

“Why aren’t you in the pool with the guys?” I ask, plopping myself on the sunbed next to him.

He fixes his gray-blue eyes on me and threads his fingers through his damp hair. “I was, but it’s safer here. Vaughn is a fucking menace.”

“Yeah, sounds like Asher.”

He dips his head, typing out a text, and when he notices me watching, he clears his throat. “Sorry, man. Just checking on Isla.” In the glow of the string lights my mom decorated the patio with, the tips of his ears redden. “I wanted to know how sectionals went.”