Neither Marie nor Liv open their mouths to answer. Whatever I say is what they will go with. They’re not going to push this. And it’s on the tip of my tongue to say nobody and start to talk about Quinton again because I know that will distract them. But then I remember the way Vonnie cried in silence at the game when I first met her, and the way she worked so hard to hide it from everyone. I don’t expect her to open up to me, I barely know her. But I know how concerned Brynn is and maybe, if I can talk about this, it will help her open up about whatever’s been bothering her when the time is right. Lead by example, and all that other stuff I hated when my dad would tell me.

“Mrs. Rafter was my neighbor.”

“Oooookay.” She nods. “I got that part. So you moved? I don’t understand why seeing an old neighbor is such a big deal.”

“She was more like a grandma. She lived next door my entire life. She even spent Christmas mornings with us. But when my dad died last February, I sold the house and never went back. I also didn’t answer or return her calls. I thought avoiding everything that reminded me of my dad would make coping easier.”

Considering I never even told my therapist about Mrs. Rafter or the way I vanished after my dad’s funeral, this is a really big deal for me. And from the way Vonnie’s eyes go wide and then soft, she knows it too.

“Oh, fucking hell.” Poppy grabs a napkin off the table and dabs her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m not usually a crier, but when I’m pregnant, my tear ducts don’t go offline.”

“I didn’t know your dad died,” Brynn says. She’s sitting in her seat again.

“Yeah, cancer. We knew it was coming.” I grab my water, really, really wishing I’d given in and ordered booze. “Three days after the championship. The game was the last thing we did together before he fell asleep and didn’t wake up again.”

“Shit, girl.” Vonnie closes her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“’Tis life.” I shrug, trying to keep my mask on and stay nonchalant about everything. People die every day. It’s the only guarantee there is in life.

Also, I do not need to cry in HERS.

“Wait.” Brynn leans forward. “You’re telling me that Quinton heard your reunion with your sweet, old lady neighbor?”

“That’s what I’m telling you.”

“During this reunion, did he hear any details about your dad?” she asks.

“Well, yeah.” My eyebrows scrunch together. I have no idea where she’s going with this. “I don’t know exactly when he got there, but I’m pretty sure he heard it all.”

“And I’m going to assume you cried?” she presses.