“Stop it!” Lina moved between them, her hands on Phil’s chest. “You will not take this out on him!” It took a few seconds, but then Phil was taking a deep breath and letting Lina push him back a few steps. “You don’t have to take Brian.” She turned back to Nick but left her hand on Phil’s arm so she would know where he was. “I’m fine. It will be fine. It’s a beautiful day. Let’s not ruin it for them. They’ll spend the entire day in the pool.” When she saw the indecision in his eyes, she continued, “Nick, please, I promise it will be fine.”

Nick nodded. “Okay.” His gaze shifted to Emily, and he motioned with his head towards the car. “Ready?”

“Does she know?” Phil asked. His eyes shifted to Emily and then back to Nick.

“Excuse me?” Nick’s eyes narrowed in confusion.

“That you have a thing for my wife. Have you told her?”

Lina flushed with embarrassment. “Phil!” she hissed, turning to face him. “Stop it!”

“It’s true,” Phil continued. “Isn’t that right, Drayton?”

Lina clasped Phil’s upper arm, turning him away from the other couple and towards the house. “Stop it,” she whispered, glaring up at him. “This is not their fault.” She steered him towards the garage, wanting to say something to Nick but afraid of setting Phil off further. She stole a glance in their direction before following Phil into the garage and was relieved to see them walking towards Nick’s car. She’d been half-afraid he would change his mind and take Brian.

“That was outrageous,” she whispered as soon as they entered the kitchen. “What could possibly compel you to say that to her?” She crossed to the windows and looked out at the pool to make sure the boys were outside and they were alone in the house.

“Nick?” Phil snarled, gripping the back of one of the high-backed bar chairs as he glared at her. “When did he become Nick to you?”

“You are unbelievable! Do you really think that’s what we’re going to talk about?”

“You’ve been talking to him, haven’t you?” he continued. “That son of a bitch.” He turned and was out the door before she could react.

Chapter 27

27

As she ran out of the garage, she was relieved to find the Land Rover nowhere in sight. Phil was staring down the drive with his hands on his hips. She slowly closed the distance between them. “You are the one who had the affair,” she whispered, poking him in the back with her finger. “And you dare to make this about me using the first name of a man I’ve never had an inappropriate relationship with? You’re the lying cheat, Phil, not me.”