“Yes, he’s downstairs showering. Katie?” Lina called out when Katie crossed to the door leading to the basement. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To see him.”

“I just told you that he’s showering. You can wait until he comes up.”

Katie rolled her eyes but dropped her hand from the doorknob. “Oh, brother,” she mumbled.

“How come you didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend?” Megan asked.

“Why would I tell you?” Katie looked at Megan like she had two heads. “We don’t talk.”

Lina threw together a plate of leftovers and had just set it on the kitchen table when Matt, in jeans and a tight black T-shirt, his sleeve tattoo on full display, emerged from the basement. “Here, eat,” she said.

He hesitated. “I don’t think I have time.”

“You’re not leaving without eating,” Lina said. “Sit.”

He gave her one of his smiles, which until recently had been elusive. “If I lose my spot in the band, it’s your fault.”

“From what I hear, you’re way too talented for that.” Lina squeezed his shoulder. “I’ll get you some milk.” Like Logan, he seemed to drink milk by the gallon.

“I thought we had to leave by five,” Katie said as she came into the room.

“You’re going with him?” Lina asked.

“Yes.”

“To Baltimore? Why is this the first I’m hearing about it?”

“I’ll take care of her,” Matt said. “She’ll be with me the whole time. You don’t have to worry.”

As Lina met Matt’s eyes, her apprehension dissolved. “Okay, but no alcohol.”

“He doesn’t drink,” Katie said.

“No drugs. And if for some reason you forget all that—call me and I’ll pick you up, no questions asked.”

“I never drink or do drugs,” Matt said. “You never have to worry about that with me.”

The opening of the mudroom door preceded Logan’s appearance. “I want some,” he said as he focused on the plate in front of Matt.

“We’re having dinner in an hour,” Lina said. “They’re leaving, so I fed him early.”

“I’m starving,” Logan said, continuing to stare at Matt’s plate.

“Don’t even think about it,” Matt said, holding up his fork as if to defend his food.

Lina ran her hand down Logan’s back. “Sit down and I’ll make you a small plate.” Between Logan and Matt, she felt like she was always feeding someone.

Megan came into the room and, after meeting Matt, took Lina’s arm and led her into the dining room. “Is that the guy from the pool?” she whispered.

“Please, just stay out of it.”

Chapter 42

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