The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Chapter One

ZERO

I thought we were done with the lies.

How much deception am I supposed to take from the woman I love until I lose it and give up?

Lilly lied to me.

Again.

Ted’s words won’t stop echoing in my head. I’m her fiancé.

That can’t be right. I asked her to marry me a couple hours ago.

She said yes.

But she’d already said yes to this guy.

This guy? Really?

He’s still standing on the porch, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot.

He ain’t gettin’ an invitation inside from me.

“Dammit, Ted,” Lilly snaps. “That’s not true. We’re not engaged.”

“Seems like an odd thing to be confused about.” My voice comes out laced with acid. I want nothing more than to jump on my bike and spray gravel all over Ted’s shiny rental car. Fifteen, twenty years ago, I probably would’ve done exactly that the second this clown showed up and opened his mouth.

Today, I have a son. I need to be here for him. No matter what.

“Z, it’s not true.” Her fingers lightly brush against my bare chest, chasing the chill away.

I drag my gaze from Ted to Lilly. An hour ago, she was wrapped around me, whispering declarations of love in my ear while clawing at my back.

Was she doing the same out in California with this guy?

Her hand’s still pressed to my chest and as I glance down, the loose sleeve of the robe she threw on when Ted came knocking slips down. The fine edge of the scar I asked about earlier peeks out and somehow, I just know it’s connected to Ted. To everything.

It’s painful. Personal. And she was about to let me in. Finally.

Before Ted interrupted.

I grip the doorknob tighter. “You got an engagement ring?” I ask Lilly.

Too stunned by my change in attitude, Lilly shakes her head. “What?”

Ted’s such a swell guy, he pipes up and answers for Lilly. “It’s back in California.”

That’s all I need to know.

“You can talk to her tomorrow, Ted,” I say. “Thanks for stopping by.” With that dismissal, I shove the door closed, slamming it in Ted’s face with a satisfying bang.

Outside, he mumbles something, but a minute later, a car starts up and speeds down the driveway.

I turn and face Lilly, who’s already backing away from me. “Start talking.”

“Ted’s just a friend.”

“I don’t give a fuck about Ted.”

Like a snake, I strike, grabbing both of her wrists in one hand and turning them over. Ruthlessly, I shove both her sleeves out of my way. “What happened?”