I know it’s not a long-term solution, but I was hoping Olivia and I could just work in silence this morning. But since small talk is inevitable, I figure I might as well steer things into a non-baseball direction. Plus it will give me something to talk about tonight at family dinner.

“Congrats on the big win,” I say.

Olivia is looking at me like I’m not speaking English. “Excuse me?”

“My dad told me this morning. He saw it in the paper?” I’m not sure why she’s looking at me like she can’t believe I’m bringing this up. It’s obviously public knowledge if it’s in the newspaper. Does she think I’m going to try to hit her up for money or something? “I guess my dad and your mom went to school together.”

“I don’t…” She’s still staring at me blankly, and maybe she just doesn’t want to talk to me. Maybe it’s a loyalty thing—me being the guy who ruined her boyfriend’s senior baseball season before it even started and all. I’m not sure how I’m the bad guy when I had to give up baseball, but whatever. If she can somehow make my problems about her, then she and Zander must be soul mates.

“It’s fine—” I turn toward the garage, ready to grab the first batch of red cushions to be put in the canoes, and feel a hand on my wrist. A grab, a gentle tug, and then it’s gone.

“Wait. What about my mom?” Olivia asks.

Shit. The way she’s looking at me—with eyes that look more scared than excited—there’s no way she knows. Now I feel like an ass. But how can she not? “Crap. You should talk to your mom. I don’t want to—”

“I’m talking to you.” Her voice is firm. “So tell me.” She crosses her arms over her chest, like she’s bracing herself.

“She, um … won the lottery. Down in Florida, I guess.” Her expression hasn’t changed at all—no smile, no screams. Maybe she’s in shock. “You’re rich!” I say, trying to use the excitement she doesn’t have. “Congrats!”

Olivia is just standing there, looking at me with dead eyes. No smile, no tears, no glimmer of excitement. Her cheeks are flushed, almost the color of her shirt now, and she doesn’t look happy. She doesn’t look like someone whose mom just won $2 million and some change. She actually looks sort of pissed. I mean, it’s not move-to-the-Bahamas money, but she’ll probably get a new car or house or something out of it. Instead she looks like I just told her I ran over her puppy. What is wrong with this girl?