“To be honest, I’d rather hear about you guys. It’s not that I don’t care about my dad, but I don’t miss him. I never knew about him. But the two of you? You’re my family. I still have a chance to know you. And if I left, I’d miss you.”

“Have you heard anything from your mom and stepdad?” James asks gently.

I shake my head. The truth is, my mom has called twice, and I responded with an I’m safe text. I feel terrible, and I’ll need to talk to her eventually, especially since I’ve got a job, but I wanted to wait until I found a place to stay. I wanted to have all my ducks in a row before giving her the news.

“My dad is moving out. I don’t think he’s planning on checking in with me ever.”

Betty frowns. “Did you fight?”

“No, never.” I pick up my burger, hoping to end this line of conversation with a bite.

James raises one eyebrow. “I feel like there’s more to the story, but that’s okay. Just know you can talk to us.”

I feel the corner of my mouth twitch around my burger. “Thank you. But I’m okay, really. Being up here, and away from it all, helps.”

His eyes narrow, but he takes a bite from his panini instead of commenting.

“So, James,” I say, once he’s swallowed his bite. “Tell me about Dani.”

“Sure. What do you want to know?”

Betty hides a smile behind her napkin, and I swirl a fry in my ketchup. “Just how long have you been in love with her?”

That night after showering, I put on Andrew’s SATAN IS A NERD tee and a pair of sleep shorts. I’ve packed up all my stuff, and I sit cross-legged on the hotel bed contemplating my phone. James’s offer to work at the rink earlier made me think of my stepdad, Declan, and how things used to be. It wasn’t something my mom was into, figure skating. It was all Declan and me. He used to drive me to early-morning practices and afternoon practices and weekend competitions. We’d stay in hotels like this one and take advantage of the cable since we didn’t have it at home. Declan skated as a kid but grew out of it when he hit his teens. Most girls had skate moms, but I had a skate dad. He could stitch sequins with the best of them.

I open a text and start typing.

MEG: Hey, Dad. Just checking in. There’s a rink up here that’s hiring. I might get a job teaching skating.

Delete.

MEG: Hi, Dad. I miss you.

Delete.

MEG: Hey, Declan. Just wondering how you’re doing?

Delete.

MEG: I wish we could talk, Dad. I wish I knew what happened between us. I still love you.