“Yes,” I answered, well aware that Mom had already moved on.
“And there’s the bachelorette party, and the picnic, and all the people your age are doing that skating thing—”
“We’re going to Des Moines for a pickup game,” I clarified. Half the Reapers were flying in for Sterling’s wedding. We were secondary family.
“Right. So she’ll need you to take her to all that.” Mom nodded enthusiastically, glancing out at the window where a trail of dust could be seen over the field.
Someone was coming.
My smile faltered. “You want me to spend all week with Ryleigh.”
“Not all week, silly.” Mom scoffed. “It’s not like she’s sleeping here or anything.”
A sedan parked behind Dad’s truck, but I was too busy staring at Mom to see who it was. “Okay,” I agreed with a slow nod of my head. My first and only rule when it came to my mother was if it was in my power, I gave it to her, and this was easily givable. So what? I spent a week escorting Ryleigh around. It wasn’t like I was giving up my life or anything.
There was a knock at the door.
“Come on in, Amy!” Mom called out.
“And that is my cue to be somewhere else.” Dad grabbed his hat from the peg and passed Amy on his way out, muttering something about the combine acting up.
It was June for fuck’s sake. What was he even using the combine on?
Amy walked in, her smile bright when she saw me. “Caspian!” She crossed the kitchen and hugged me like I was still five, instead of twenty-eight.
“Hey, Mrs. Dunham.” I hugged her back before releasing her. Other than a few silver strands through her hair, she hadn’t aged much. Nothing ever seemed to change around here, now that I thought about it.
“It’s so good to see you!” She beamed up at me as the screen door was pulled open behind her. “And I can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing for Ryleigh.”
Mom smiled so wide I was pretty sure her face might split from it.
“Happy to help,” I said, moving back to the corner of the kitchen and bracing my palms on the counter.
“What is he doing for me?” A voice came from the doorway.
I looked up.
My jaw went fucking slack.
That was not Ryleigh Dunham. No way. The woman standing just inside my kitchen had mile-long legs that ended in a pair of tiny white shorts, and a body that just didn’t quit. Her waist was small, and the V-neck shirt she was wearing couldn’t hide those breasts even if it wasn’t fitted…and it wasn’t. But her face—holy shit—her face, was…
I couldn’t even think.
She was beautiful, all plump pink lips, and wide, green eyes framed by waves of auburn hair under a Detroit ball cap.
There, at least something was wrong with her. No one in their right mind liked Detroit. Hell, Cannon was from there and didn’t even like it.
“Ryleigh, honey, you remember Caspian,” Mrs. Dunham said, linking her arm through my mother’s.
“Of course,” Ryleigh said, flashing me a closed-lip, fake smile. “Nice to see you, Caspian.”
“My friends call me Caz,” I replied out of habit, thankful that I had the counter for support. When the hell had she turned into a siren?
“Well, we were never really friends, were we?” She shrugged and this time, the smile was genuine.
“True. I remember you being a lot…shorter.” I remembered her being a lot less everything, if I was being honest.
“People grow.” Another shrug. “It happens.” She tucked her hair behind her ears and the light shifted, revealing deep purple shadows under her eyes. “Mom, are you ready to go?”
“Oh, honey, you don’t have to drive us. Why don’t you stay here and catch up with Caspian?” Her mom asked hopefully.
Ryleigh’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she kept smiling. “Because Caspian and I aren’t really friends. We just covered that. Come on, let’s get you to your dress fitting.”
Mrs. Dunham and Mom exchanged a look that immediately set my teeth on edge. My stomach pitched a little as the pieces fell into place.
“I just thought it might be nice for you to get to know each other before the wedding,” Mrs. Dunham continued, leaning into Mom slightly.
I picked up my water and took a deep sip.
“Right! I mean, we’re so thankful that you’re willing to escort Caspian to London’s big day! It’s not like he knows many people,” Mom finished.
I spit the water all over the kitchen floor.
“Caspian Foster!” Mom gawked at me.
I slammed my hand over my mouth and managed to set the glass on the counter.
“Sorry,” I said through the cracks in my fingers, then immediately grabbed a dish towel to wipe up the mess.
“I thought we already talked about this,” Ryleigh whispered just loud enough for me to hear it.
Apparently, Mom hadn’t been completely honest with me. Apology flashed in her eyes as she yanked her best friend past her daughter and out the door. “We’ll just be in the car!”