Aiden, Jason, and Matt were engrossed in talks about the wrestling club. Jason and Matt peppered Randall with a million things they thought he should do to grow and expand the place. Randall asked each of them if they were going to help, and then the discussion dissolved into brainstorming. Aiden listened but didn’t add much. He probably agreed with Jason and Matt, but his time reading people in the boardroom made him sensitive to Randall’s weariness.

Aiden had asked once if money was the issue. Money was always an issue, but in Randall’s case, it was the paperwork. The background checks on all the new coaches, the training, and keeping up with all the USA Wrestling rules. Randall wouldn’t let just any coach near his kids. Families paid the club money and Randall took that responsibility seriously. His mission statement was about teaching and empowering kids through the sport of wrestling. The wrestling came last. Teaching and empowering would always be first.

My husband had heard a few of these discussions, but tonight was different. It was Aiden’s mildly wistful expression. The arrogant tilt he had to his mouth was natural. It had nothing to do with arrogance and everything to do with genetics. I’d seen pictures of Sarah. Hers had probably come off as a secretive smile. On Aiden, I’d dubbed it resting business face. But that arrogant tilt was tipped back more tonight, like he was drawing into himself. Like he wanted to help, but he and Randall both only had twenty-four hours in a day. Time would always be an issue as long as King Oil was in his life.

It was his baby.

Violet tugged on my sleeve. “Aunt Katie, wanna play tic-tac-toe?” She shoved a blue crayon toward me and positioned the kids’ menu between us.

I didn’t have a choice, but I wanted to play with her. It’d keep my gaze off the absentminded way Sophie ran her hand through Corbin’s hair as he played some sort of game against Caleb on their parents’ phones. How Ada was attuned to Violet and her needs as she visited with me and Mom.

Violet put an X in the middle, and since I’d grown up with ruthless brothers, I put my O in the top corner. A few ticks later and I had two ways to win while Violet lost.

Instead of being scandalized, Violet’s mouth hung open. “How does that work?”

“It doesn’t all the time, but always start in the corner and your odds are better.”

We played through the ready-made tic-tac-toe boards, then Violet drew a new one before each game.

After legitimately losing a round, I caught Ada grinning at us.

“Thanks for inviting us out,” she said.

“Anytime.” Aiden had made the arrangements but had asked me to contact everyone.

“It’s been really nice,” Sophie added. “Seeing you more. I know the boys enjoy it.”