Fallen Crest Forever (Fallen Crest High #7)

He glanced around. “What’s going on? You don’t usually knock on my door.”


I filled him in on everything, and he agreed it was a good idea to head out as soon as we could. He went to get dressed for the game, saying he’d let Taylor know the plan too, and I went back to my bedroom to change. I’d pulled some things on in a rush, thinking I was way behind schedule. Now that I had a moment, I grabbed different pants that were still comfortable but a little more fashionable.

I knew my biological father and his wife. They ran in elite circles, and that meant they were always dressed so they looked wealthy without trying to look wealthy. It was a skill. Sharon was nice, but she was one of those socialite types. She looked beautiful and put together every time I saw her. And now that I thought about it, Malinda was too. I always forgot about that. Malinda was just Malinda to me. Loving, warm, and sassy, but she could play in those top circles too. She had more bite than Sharon, but this was Garrett and Sharon’s alma mater. I had no doubt they’d be seeing old friends.

All in all, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the day.

Forty minutes later, Logan, Taylor, and I were heading to the game with instructions to pick up Nate at the hotel where he’d dropped Valerie off. We figured it was easier to go in one car because we were already going to be meeting both sets of my parents there.

I talked to Malinda. She and David would meet us at the stadium. And since we were going to Garrett’s box, I assumed we’d meet him and Sharon there too.

After picking up Nate, it took another half hour to get to the stadium.

Swarms of people were already descending on the stadium, and by game time, it’d be filled to the max.

“Hey.” Taylor pointed to a group going in through the same entrance as we were. “Look.”

Faith and Nettie were there, along with a bunch of other girls from the team.

“I don’t see Courtney and Grace,” she added.

I frowned. “Were we supposed to invite them with us?”

She shrugged. “I’ll text them and mention that we saw Nettie and the other girls at the game, see if they’re coming too.”

We hadn’t talked much about it last night. Everything had mostly been about the meet, but as we followed the group inside, and then proceeded to continue following them, I realized they were in the box next to us.

I stopped Taylor. “Did you already text them?”

“Yeah.”

A cold feeling spread in my stomach, and I peeked into the next box. Faith was there, along with the rest of the team. The only ones not there were Taylor, me, Courtney, and Grace.

“Do you need something?” Faith came to the door, a drink in one hand and a haughty expression on her face.

“What happened to ‘Thank you for helping me go faster’?”

She shrugged, sipping her drink. “That was on the course. This is off the course.”

“You’re cold.”

She laughed. “I’ve never pretended to be otherwise.” She angled her head to look at the door to our box. “Unlike you. I’m betting whoever you’re sharing that with, you didn’t invite your two other buds from the team.”

“Are you sharing with Coach Langdon?”

“No. This is my dad’s private box. Coach usually sits with the other coaches. They all share one box.”

I didn’t tell her I’d been invited to that one. “Well, have fun watching the game.”

“I will.”

“I’ll have fun watching your boyfriend,” she added.

I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but I turned to Taylor as we entered the box. “Text Courtney. Invite her and Grace up here.”

They couldn’t be the only ones left out. I wouldn’t do that to them.

I looked over and saw Garrett and David waiting for me.

I took a breath, then approached both of my dads.





Garrett and David had settled in together, sitting side by side.

Sharon and Malinda also sat together.

They were all happy to see me, as well as my friends. And they were happy about my race time. Garrett and Sharon hadn’t known about my first meet, and Malinda loved telling them. She followed that up with insisting that my biological father and his wife join us for dinner too.

Actually, she invited everyone, including Matteo, Courtney, and Grace. When they agreed, Malinda called ahead to alert the restaurant, and when we arrived after the game, we were led to a private room in the back.

“Honey, you must be so happy today.” Malinda linked her elbow with mine. She pulled me to the side as everyone headed in and took their seats.

There it was, that word. Happy. Everyone seemed happy. I just wasn’t used to the emotion being genuine around me. But I’d done well in my race, and Mason had scored two touchdowns to help Cain U win their first game of the season. I was surrounded by friends and family . . .

“I am.” And I was. I really was. I nudged her with my elbow. “I’m glad you and my dad came up today.”

“Yes, me too.” She craned her neck to look into the room. “Everyone’s sitting down. I should head in there, but I wanted to check in with you real quick. How are you? I was shocked when you told me you’d joined the cross-country team. I know you haven’t the last two years.”

“I know, but I wanted to do . . .” How could I explain this without feeling selfish?

“Something for yourself?” she supplied for me.

Some of the tension left my shoulders. “Yeah. It’s been fine so far, but we start classes next week.”

“Well, that’ll be more of a challenge, but you and Mason will be fine. You’ve already been through so much, and you’re going to have moments like these. Especially if you guys get married, or stay together for life. Some husbands join the military and are gone for years. I think you and Mason are very lucky to have what you have, and I know you two are committed to the relationship.”

David came to the door and waved for Malinda to join the rest of them. She laughed softly under her breath. “Trust me. When you have a good one, you hold onto him. You might not get another.” She shook her head, clearing away whatever else she’d been thinking, and gave my arm one more squeeze. “Maybe not you, though. You’re amazing. Any guy would be lucky to have you. I gotta go in there. You’re waiting for Mason?”

I nodded. Mason and Matteo needed to shower and change after the game, not to mention all the people they needed to talk with before they could leave.

She kissed my cheek before going to the room. I could hear her saying, laughing as she did, “I’m here. The party has to start now, right, Logan?”

“Damn straight, Mama Malinda.”

I wandered back to the front of the restaurant and was content to wait outside until Mason and Matteo arrived. There was a warm breeze, and after all the attention I’d gotten in the box and since yesterday, I was grateful for some moments alone. I drew in a deep breath, watching people come and go. This was one of the nicer restaurants in Cain, so maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised when I saw Faith walking up from the parking lot toward the entrance.