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Piper’s jaw dropped. “What? Stop!”

I chuckled. “We have her on trial. But if she works out, the owner is happy to let you have her.”

She hugged me and kissed my cheek, barely missing me with her burger’s mustard. “Dad, thank you, thank you!”

“If you hadn’t put so much work into Opal, we wouldn’t be here,” I assured. “You did that work. You earned it. This is the horse that can take you so much further. I can appreciate that. And while I don’t quite get it, I saw you out there bonding with her from the minute you swung a leg over. Chloe and Riley are right. I trust them.”

Piper glowed. “Dad, I don’t even know what to say. I’m… astonished. I feel unworthy. Like… I’ll go to college⁠—”

“And you will get in and we will find a way to pay to board this horse wherever that is. And you will continue to work with her.”

Tears welled. “You mean that?”

“I mean it. I don’t want you to give up your dreams like I did for years. I have worked too hard my entire life to let that go.”

“Even with the apartment and the cost of saving for a house? I know how expensive college is!”

“Don’t worry about the money. Kiddo, I tell you this every time. Neither your mother nor I are broke, sweetie. And we never give you less than we promise.”

“I just know that place was the top of our budget.”

It was time to come clean. I took a deep breath and threw my burger wrapper in the bag. As Piper continued to eat, I broached this delicate subject, reminding myself that this needed to happen. No matter how Piper reacted, she would come around. I knew my girl. I was here to absorb the impact and listen.

“We didn’t end up with the apartment,” I admitted.

“What?” Her face sank. “So, we’re homeless now?”

“Nah. I would never allow that. I think we have another living situation… and it’s a little complicated.”

“Are you telling me we are moving in with Grandma and Grandpa. Or…” she covered her mouth, “I am not moving in with Mom. She’s going to have a baby with Felix, you know? And just ignore me.”

I swallowed hard. “Really?”

“They got pregnant. She told me via text message. Can you fucking believe that, Dad?”

Well, at least we’re going to avoid that mess!

I hoped the contrast might settle her nerves, but Piper remained agitated. I put her worries to rest while fueling others.

“Sweetheart, there is news I need to give that… right now… probably won’t feel so good.”

“Is Grandpa dying?” She whipped up to higher heights. “Oh my God, dad! This and then⁠—”

“No one is dying.”

Piper breathed a long sigh of relief. “Okay, so then why do you look like you’re about to expire? No one has died, but what could be worse?”

“It’s the opposite. For the record, I didn’t know your mom was pregnant yet. I heard about the treatment, but… I didn’t know that bit. I am sorry she did that via text. That is a huge change, and you should have been able to talk about it.”

Piper relaxed, feeling heard.

“But, Chloe is pregnant,” I said, unsure why I started there.

“What? Is she like… in hiding? I thought I’d see her⁠—”

“You will. She’s back from Florida, but I wanted to have this conversation.”

“Well, we don’t need to bother her, like you said. We’ve made it this far. I can babysit even!” Piper said, so beautifully oblivious.