But no Simon.

Then a repetitive smacking echoed from the driveway. Followed by a long pause.

Gabriel smiled. “Come on.”

Simon was tossing a basketball at the hoop over the garage.

To her utter surprise, Gabriel’s older brother was playing with him.

Michael caught the ball Simon passed to him, then pointed at her and Gabriel. “Math done?” he asked.

“Mostly,” said Gabriel. He gave Simon a grin. “You’ve been practicing.”

Simon’s hair was a little damp, but he grinned in return the first smile Layne had seen on his face all day. He nodded.

“Coach still won’t let you play?” said Gabriel.

The grin vanished. Simon shook his head.

Gabriel nodded at the basket. “Keep playing like that, and he’ll be an idiot not to.”

The smile was back. Simon held out a fist. Gabriel hit it.

“Thanks for playing with Simon,” she said to Michael, signing as she spoke, out of habit. “I’m sorry if you were trying to get work done.”

“Nah.” He didn’t quite smile, but his expression was easy.

Amiable. Again, it made her wonder about Gabriel’s fights with him. He’d been nice enough to drive her over. And then play basketball with her deaf brother. Kara had an older sister in college who’d barely give Kara the time of day, much less Layne.

Honestly, after the way her mother practically ignored them, it was nice to see a family member act like family.

It was funny all along she’d thought Gabriel was the jock thug, when all he’d ever done was protect her and Simon. And then a charmer like Ryan Stacey turned out to be as bad as Taylor and Heather.

It made her wonder what else she was missing about the people around her. Whether their motives were truly hidden, or whether she just chose not to see.

“What time did you say you needed to be home?” Michael asked her.

She shrugged and glanced away. “I told my dad we’d be back by six.”

A complete lie, of course. She hadn’t mentioned a word of this to her father. But Michael had caught her off guard when she’d first climbed into his truck, asking if it was okay with her parents. She hadn’t expected him to do more than give her a passing glance and roll his eyes about playing chauffer.

Really, considering the guys Kara’s older sister hung out with, she wouldn’t have been surprised to find Michael passing her a joint and asking if she felt like making brownies.

Thunder rolled through the sky again, sounding like a warning. Layne tapped Simon’s arm and signed as she spoke. “We should probably go.”

No, he signed back, scowling. I never get to play.

She sighed and looked meaningfully at the sky before signing and saying, “It’s going to storm.”

“Nah,” said Gabriel. He looked up at the sky as well. “The lightning is a ways off.”

Simon smacked her in the arm, harder than was necessary.

See?

Layne wanted to snap at him, to make him fall in line like that ever worked. But she kept remembering the way he’d slammed the door to his room after their mother hadn’t shown up.

And the smile on his face when she’d found him playing basketball.

She sighed and sat on the concrete against the garage. “Fifteen minutes.”

But Gabriel held out a hand. “No way. We play, you play.”

She blushed. “I’m not really athletic ”

He snorted. “Come on.”

Then he had her hand, and then she was playing basketball.

Playing might have been a little strong. The boys were patient, letting her take time to make a basket. When they had the ball, it was a free-for-all of shoving and good-natured ribbing.

But the best part was when she had to shoot, and Gabriel’s arms came around her, his voice gentle in her ear. “Like this . . .”

She was having so much fun that she didn’t realize their fifteen minutes had passed, didn’t even register the crunch of tires on pavement until Michael said to Gabriel, “Expecting more company?”

Layne glanced at the driveway. A black BMW was rolling up the hill.

She actually felt the blood drain from her face.

For a split second, she hoped Gabriel was expecting more company. Even a girl. Even Taylor Morrissey herself. Because right this instant, Layne would rather face anyone than the one person she knew drove a black BMW.

Her father.

Her palms went slick on the basketball. She didn’t even remember catching it.

Simon was there beside her, his breathing as shallow as hers.

“What am I missing?” said Michael.

Layne had to clear her throat to find her voice. “It’s my dad.”

God, how had he known where they were? She shook herself and looked at her watch.

Still early! How . . . what . . .

“Layne!” Her father was already out of the vehicle, standing there in the driveway, the door standing open. His tone could slice through steel. “Both of you. Get in the car. Right now.”

Her backpack was still in the kitchen, but she didn’t dare say she had to go inside to get it. “Dad.” Her voice broke, and she tried again. “Dad, we were just playing ”

“Trust me. I know exactly what’s getting played here.” Layne had never seen him look so livid.

Yes she had the night her mom left.

It hurt to breathe. Her voice wouldn’t rise above a whisper.

“Dad ”

“Leave her alone,” said Gabriel, right at her shoulder. His voice was even. Steady. “We were just playing ball.”