I think back to Richard’s relentless drilling in preparation for exactly these sorts of questions, but once again, I find myself unwilling to lie to Jace.

“I’m an only child,” I tell him. “I think my parents wanted more kids, but I had some heart problems when I was younger, and that dissuaded them for a while. If they started trying again, my mom never got pregnant. I don’t know for certain though, they tend to avoid talking about anything difficult. Especially my mom.”

“Are you close with them?” Jace asks.

“Yeah, I am. Especially my dad. We would play chess together every night.”

“What is it with you and games?” he asks. “First poker, and now chess?”

I laugh. “Some of us can be good at more than one game.”

“My family plays board games every Friday night,” Jace replies. “I play a mean game of Monopoly.”

I grin widely, trying to reconcile the image of Jace playing board games alongside his large family with the cocky football player everyone worships. “I seriously cannot picture that,” I tell him honestly.

“I’ll send you a picture next time I’m home,” he promises.

We run in silence for a bit, and then Jace asks, “What about your step-brother?”

I wince. I was hoping he wouldn’t notice the exclusion of my supposed step-family from my answer.

“Are you guys close?” Jace prompts when I don’t immediately answer.

“He’s nice.”

I keep my response vague, and I feel Jace’s eyes on my face. Thankfully, whatever he sees there causes him to drop the subject. The rain falls faster. My damp clothes are soon completely soaked.

The remainder of our run passes quickly. We emerge from the wooded trail next to the elm tree, both breathing heavily from the exertion. We stop underneath the extended branches and I peel off my wet jacket to let the cool water roll down my bare arms.

“I’ve got to get to practice,” Jace states after we’ve stood there for a moment, catching our breath and enjoying a respite from the rain.

I nod. “I can probably find that t-shirt if you want it back,” I admit, recalling our earlier conversation in this same spot.

“You can keep it,” Jace tells me, smiling.

I smile back and turn to head back toward Kennedy Hall.

“Viv?” Jace calls from behind me, and I spin back around.

“It wasn’t because I didn’t want to.” He turns and starts jogging toward the direction of the athletic center.

I stand there for a moment longer, letting his words wash over me.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” Katie asks me as we’re leaving our philosophy class.

“Thanksgiving?” I ask.

“Yeah, you know, that one day a year where we stuff ourselves with too much food and argue with family members?” she jokes.

That sounds like most every day prior to my arrival here, but I don’t share that with Katie as we continue walking across campus.

“Oh, right. Thanksgiving.” I try to play off my unfamiliarity with the holiday as simple forgetfulness.