Cam’s fist rammed up, under Phillip’s guard. The blow rocked his head back but didn’t loosen his hold. Instinct blanked out reason as he shoved Cam back and prepared to tear in.

He swore viciously when Ethan clamped an arm around his throat from behind.

“Cool off,” Ethan ordered on more of a sigh than a snarl. “Both of you—or I’ll toss you in until you do.” He tightened his hold on Phillip’s windpipe just enough to show he meant it and scowled at Cam. “Get ahold of yourself, damn it. Seth’s had a rough day. You want to add to it?”

“No, I don’t want to add to it,” Cam said bitterly. “This one doesn’t give a good damn, but I do.”

“My relationship with Sybill and my concern for Seth are two separate matters.”

“Like hell.”

“Let go of me, Ethan.” Because Phillip’s tone was cool and deliberate, Ethan released him. “You know, Cam, I don’t remember you being so interested in my sex life since we both had our sights set on Jenny Malone.”

“We’re not in high school anymore, pal.”

“No, we’re not. And you’re not my keeper. Either of you,” he added, shifting so that he could look at both of them. He would explain himself because it mattered. Because they mattered. “I’ve got feelings for her, and I’m going to take the time to figure out what they are. I’ve made a lot of changes in my life over the last few months, and I’ve gone along with what the two of you wanted. But goddamn it, I’m entitled to a personal life.”

“I wouldn’t argue with that, Phil.” Ethan glanced toward the house, hoping Seth was busy with his homework or his drawings and not spying out the window. “I don’t know how Seth’s going to feel about this part of your personal life.”

“There’s something none of you are taking into consideration. Sybill is Seth’s aunt.”

“That’s exactly what I am taking into consideration,” Cam shot back. “She’s Gloria’s sister, and she came in here on a lie.”

“She came in here believing a lie.” It was an important distinction, Phillip thought. A vital distinction. “Did you read the statement she faxed to Anna?”

Cam hissed between his teeth, hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “Yeah, I saw it.”

“What do you think it cost her to put that down in black and white, to know everybody in town would be talking about it, about her, within twenty-four hours?” Phillip waited a beat, noting that the muscle in Cam’s jaw relaxed, fractionally. “How much more do you want her to pay?”

“I’m not thinking about her. I’m thinking about Seth.”

“And she’s the best defense we’ve got against Gloria DeLauter.”

“You think she’ll stand up to it?” Ethan wondered. “When push comes to shove?”

“Yeah, I do. He needs his family, all his family. That’s what Dad would want. He told me . . .” Catching himself, Phillip frowned out over the dark water.