9

Diana made the right noises when I recounted my Dad's treachery, but I sensed her heart wasn't in it. In fact, though I'd refrained from dumping my Adam angst on her, she was more distant than usual. It was almost like our retail therapy had never happened.

While she showered, I found the red dress I'd picked out stuffed in the back of her closet behind a sea of black. I heard Diana talking and wondered if someone had stopped by. Moving closer to the bathroom, I realized she was talking on the phone. The conversation was one sided, but I quickly got the gist.

"She just showed up, Melissa. What was I supposed to do?"

Ice fisted around my heart as I continued listening.

"I know I'm supposed to take the higher road, but can you blame me for being pissed off?"

That was enough for me. I picked up my gear and headed down the stairs. Charles was in his den ensconced in legal work, so nobody heard me slip out. I couldn't go home, and I doubted Sally's family would appreciate me showing up out of the blue. Jake would gladly open his door, but he was a back-stabbing son of a bitch. No doubt he'd call my Dad as soon as I was out of earshot, and I'd be back in the same boat as before. So I cycled to my lone space on the bluff, and stopped when I saw a familiar blue truck. Adam was perched on the hood of his car, mirroring my position from the other night. I turned to leave, but the slight sound of my tires on sand caught his attention. "Cassie?"

I barely made my way forward two feet before he caught up with me. He grabbed my handlebars and forced me to look up at him. "You can let go now. I promise not to run over your foot."

His lips curved up a little, but he maintained his hold on my bike. "What's going on, Cassie? Diana just called me and said you left her house without a word."

I hung my head. "She doesn't want me there."

"That's not true. She cares about you - we all do."

I smiled. "That's what she tells you, but ask Melissa how she really feels."

My implication was that Diana no longer used Adam as her confidante. He sighed, "You know it's complicated."

"Isn't it always?"

"You think running solves anything?"

"Sometimes it helps. Like maybe my father lives to see a new day," I said, only half joking.

Adam looked at me in disbelief. "That's not an option."

"Then how do we stop him?"

"That's for the Circle to decide."

Like I needed a reminder. "Really? So are you saying that everyone gets a vote, or will this be another case where you side with Diana and decide for all of us?"

His face darkened. "That's not fair, Cassie."

I didn't comment, but instead managed to wrench my bike from his hands. "Whatever my Dad has done, he doesn't deserve to be lynched by committee."

Adam nodded. "I agree."

That surprised me enough to loosen my tongue. "Because you know, he's not the only adult keeping secrets."

He kicked at the sand. "Are we back to that again?"

It was a continued sticking point between me and Adam. "Not tonight."

Adam walked alongside me as I started pedaling. "You need a place to crash?"

For an instant, I felt the old warmth rush through me, but then reality hit me hard. I shrugged and said, "I can probably break into one of the crypts up at Apple Hill."

"Cassie, I can't let you do that." I felt my bike wheels sticking and the heat from his hands as they covered mine. "Please let me help you."

I willed myself not to feel and tried to wear the friend cap. After a long beat, I said, "OK...sure."

His face was way too close to mine and I gulped when he said softly, "My Dad will insist."

That probably came more from a guilty conscience than any real altruism on Ethan's part. "Fine. But I'm riding there."

He shook his head with a smile. "Of course you are."

I took my time getting there and swore to myself when I saw my Dad's car parked next to Adam's. He was nowhere in sight, but I could hear arguing from the parking lot. I peered through the window and saw Ethan going ten rounds with my Dad. Adam was attempting to intervene but they were ignoring him. When he saw me, he motioned for me to come in. Without even wavering, I joined my power to his and we pushed our fathers to opposite sides of the room.

Moving over to a neutral location, I said, "We all need to work together. And that includes the two of you. Any questions?"

Their mouths opened and closed and they finally took the seats I indicated. Adam merely straddled the seat at the end of a table and I stayed where I was, sure I would drown in a sea of testosterone if I didn't stay standing.