A chuckle puffed out of me. “So much for secrets.”

“Oh, I can’t blame you for not telling me—I knew you would when you were ready. And besides, I would have meddled, and we all know it.” She squeezed my hand. “How’s Tess?”

“Upset. She asked me for time, and I have no choice but to give it to her.”

“She doesn’t come around quick, but she always comes around. I promise, Lucas. She will.”

“I hope you’re right. But I can’t shake the feeling that it’s out of my control. It’s in Wendy’s.”

A shadow passed across her face. “Damn her.”

I drew a sigh from the very bottom of my lungs. “Tess said Wendy would always manipulate me, and I’d always let her. And she’s right. I just don’t know how to untangle myself from her, Mom. I don’t know how to let her go because I’m afraid if I do, she’ll drown.”

“Or she’ll swim. But the only way you won’t be dragged down by her weight is if you put up boundaries. If this baby is yours—”

“You know about that too?”

She rolled her eyes. “There are no secrets in this family, Lucas. If this baby is yours, get a mediator and sort out custody and rights. Show up and do your duty, nothing more.”

“And when she falls apart, threatens to hurt herself and the baby?”

“Then you call the ambulance and go to her. And you fight for full custody. But the child might not be yours. And if that’s the case, then you walk away from her once and for all. It’s time, son. It’s time to move on.”

“But I have. I thought I was no longer beholden to her, and then this. Every time I think I’ve gotten away, I get sucked back in.”

“Wendy thinks she still has a chance with you because your actions have never said otherwise. So put your money where your mouth is, Lucas Bennet, and show her.”

I nodded, hope sparking in my chest. Because showing Wendy just how through we were would not only prove my sincerity.

It would prove my devotion to Tess.

Because above all, that was what I wanted. She was what I wanted.

I only hoped I could win her back.

TESS

My heart thundered as I rounded the last bend of Rainbow Road with Dad hot on my tail. The finish line loomed, and for one second, I thought I might actually beat him.

Should have known better.

A heat-seeking turtle shell blasted me in the rear, and while my car flipped and bounced, Dad flew past and under the banner.

I groaned. “Sneaky bastard.”

“Face it, Pigeon. I am the resident champion, and beating me is a pipe dream. Get it? Pipes? Mario?”

“Har-har,” I hyucked. “It wouldn’t kill you to let me win every once in a while. You know, for my ego?”

He gave me a look. “You’d really want me to throw a game?”