Jaxon and I order drinks at the airport cafe while my dad makes last-minute phone calls and Melody browses yoga magazines at the newsstand. We tried to reach Paula this morning to let her know Adam’s coming but couldn’t get in touch, and Dave didn’t answer either. She may be at a check-up or ultrasound or something with her phone off. Melody and I promised Adam that Paula would be fine with it—it’s not like my dad needs to crash at their place or anything. But he’s still worried. We’ll try calling again when we land in Los Angeles.

My phone rings as Jaxon is telling me all about the producer in LA.

‘It’s Oliver,’ I say. ‘I have to answer, sorry, I promised.’ I press accept.

Oliver’s smiling face appears, freezes with his eyes half closed, and then returns to life. ‘Just wanted to say have a great flight, see you at the airport soon, I’m getting a lift with Dave. I can’t wait! Are you about to leave?’

‘I can’t wait too! Can you believe my dad’s coming?’

Jaxon puts sugar in his coffee, watching me and Oliver talk.

‘I couldn’t believe it when I saw your message today. I’ll get to meet your dad. Is he there now?’

‘No.’

‘Bummer, I wanted to say hi. Are you alone?’

Before I can respond, Jaxon jumps in. ‘Hey dude.’ I hadn’t noticed him getting up to stand behind me. He puts his head close to mine to wave at Oliver. ‘I’m Jaxon. Nice to finally meet you.’

‘Hey …’ Oliver says, looking between Jaxon and me, his expression confused. ‘Jaxon.’

‘Sky and I did the snow camping together … I’m the wolf guy!’ Jaxon says innocently.

‘Um,’ I say, pushing Jaxon out of the frame and waving him away.

‘Who’s Jaxon?’ Oliver asks me softly. ‘I don’t remember …’

Jaxon returns to his plastic seat, picks up his coffee cup and puts it back down. I look at him hoping he’ll help me work out what to say, but he just mouths, Sorry.

‘Well …’ I pause. How am I going to handle this?

‘Snow camping?’ Oliver says. ‘Jaxon was there too? I thought it was just you and your dad, Sky. That’s what you told me, isn’t it?’

‘So …’ I draw out the word, trying to buy time to get my head together.

‘Sky?’ Oliver’s face has dropped.

‘I just didn’t … wasn’t …’ My words are jumbled. ‘He’s just this guy who …’ I stop. ‘Oliver. It’s not anything that …’