I woke up at the Russel's house to an empty bed and a note on the pillow where Blaine had been laying. She had surprisingly feminine handwriting for being a tomboy. She had promised to be back from her errand around eight. Stretching across her side of the bed, I searched for my phone on the nightstand. My brow furrowed as I read the time on the screen. She was an hour late.

"Hey, pretty boy," Shane mused from the doorway. His arms were crossed over his chest as he leaned against the door frame. "Mom wants to know if you want breakfast, or if you're going to see your own family today?"

"I should probably go home," I grumbled, burying my face in the pillow. It smelled like her and I was kicking myself for letting get to me. This girl was something else and every day I was with her I was getting closer to saying that four letter word. I looked over at Shane who was studying me with a mischievous grin curling onto his face. "Is Luke here?"

"Nope. The Lester family is having breakfast."

"The whole family?"

"Yup. Luke got a call last night from their Dad." He shrugged as if it were no big deal. Maybe it was because it wasn't any of our business. Either way he made it known that he wasn't for him, or me, to ask questions. "Go home, man. Check in on your folks."

There won't be much to check in on. Once they had heard Blaine and I were back together things got more tense. Between me and them. Between each other. The nights I was home, they barely talked other than when we were at the dinner table. That is when my father was home. He'd been spending more time at the office. I'm going to play dumb and assume it is honestly work related.

My mother buried herself in all sorts of committees and clubs. Clearly, she was avoiding the elephant in the room better than I was. She was keeping up all the big events while giving the same party line at each one. My father was disappointed that he couldn't make it, but business is business. I think she had plenty of practice from telling me where he was on the nights I bothered to ask.

The Lester's might have their own shit to work out, but dealing with that sounds better than whatever fantasy world my parents were living in. They were always arguing. Whether it was because they were trying to prove they cared, or simply because they wanted to care. It was still bickering with feelings. The last time I remember my parents showing any emotion, other than disappointment for my current choice in girlfriend, was when I first started football.

The pride pouring from my dad was nauseating. My mother was no better as she returned from an afternoon of shopping to show me her latest purchases. Various tops and dresses that matched our school colors. She called it her game day gear. The first time we won a game they were waiting for me outside the locker room prepared to celebrate. My father embraced me with a strong pat on the back. My mother clapped excitedly as she waited her turn to congratulate me.

We are knocking on the doors to the Illinois High School Association's State Championship for football. We are at the top of the conference, and the county. Shane, Lucas and I had broken a dozen records this year. None of it seemed to stir the same amount of pride they had three years ago. Not since my girlfriend ended up on the field. They didn't have one positive thing to say about the games they'd witnessed. There was no excitement when they greeted me outside the locker room. The joy they had shown after each milestone in my life was easily forgotten.

I hadn't felt this sick to my stomach since the day I had shown up to Shane's looking for Blaine after our fight. That rock of regret and fear taking up the space in my gut as I approached my own home. I didn't think I would ever know what it felt like for Blaine and Lucas. Having to go back to a place that didn't feel welcoming anymore. Pushing open the door, I replayed all the conversations I had with Blaine about her parents. Trying to convince her to give her parents, both of her parents, a second chance. It was all stupid, wishful thinking.

"Anyone home," I called out as I dropped my bag near the stairs. Heading toward the kitchen, I heard the faint sound of a spoon stirring in a mug. I forced a soft smile as I found my mother sitting in her designated seat at one end of the table. "Hey, Mom."

"Morning," she mumbled back, delicately flipping the page of the weekend news paper. "Good game last night."

"Thanks." I leaned down to kiss her cheek then stared at my father's empty chair for a second. "He's working weekends now?"

"So it would seem." I rubbed a hand over my face as I stepped out of sight.

"Have you guys started working on papers?"

"Papers? Papers for what," she asked dumbly, still skimming the damn about the town section.

"A separation, Mom. Paperwork for a separation."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." The chuckle was dry and lifeless as she turned the page. "Your father and I aren't separating."

"Staying late to finish up reports that his lackeys should be doing. Leaving in the middle of dinner for phone calls. Now, he's working on the weekends. He's not working, Mom."

"Maybe if you were home more you would see that his business has grown a lot in the last few months. He was courting that gentleman from Indy and closed the deal last month. It brought in plenty of work for the whole company." She shrugged while taking a sip of her coffee. "It's more work than he expected, so he's been working more hours until they can hire more help."

"And you bought it?" I stalked back to the table. She didn't bother to meet my eyes as I stared down at her. I let out a sigh as I fell into the chair to her right. My hands were clasped under my chin as my elbow dug into my legs. "You're a smart woman, Mom. You know he's doing more than going into the office. You don't deserve to be treated like this. You're his wife."

"You're damn right I'm his wife, and you're his son. What is going on in our marriage doesn't concern you. If I hear you so much as utter another word about it, we're going to be having a different conversation. Is that understood?"

"It kind of is my concern."

"Finnigan," she hissed. Her green eyes were dark as they finally met mine. They were also glassy. "We are not talking about this. You and I will never talk about this."

"Mom," I started, but the tremble of her lips stopped me. With a little hesitation, I covered her hand with mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. She didn't give me a smile to reassure me she was okay. The tears gathering in the corner of her eyes didn't vanish or fall free. She was doing what she did best. Holding it together even in front of her own son.

"Are you seeing Blaine today?" I was surprised to hear her call Blaine by her name instead of that girl. I was even more surprised by the tone she used. It wasn't clipped or judgemental. She almost sounded pleasant as the question left her.

"It's a good possibility. She's actually having breakfast with her parents right now."

"Lorie still in town?"

"As far as I know."

"They should come over for dinner."

"What?" I stumbled over the single word and the corner of her mouth twitched.

"It can be just you, me and Blaine if you'd like. I feel like it's overdue." She sighed as her eyes focused on the chandelier. "I owe her several apologies for my behavior."

"Did you put Bailey's in your coffee?"

"You've made your feelings for this girl very clear. I haven't seen you commit to anything other than football. The way you look at Blaine is the same way you look after a victory. I had no right to tell you how to live your life, Finn. I'm going to make it up to you though. Starting with dinner for you and your girlfriend's family."

"What about Dad?"

"I'm pretty sure that the Lester's will understand his absence." She patted my hand. "How about some breakfast?"

She got to her feet and was in the kitchen before I could give her an answer. It was strange hearing her offer to have the Lester clan over. Other than football related gatherings, my family didn't associate with theirs. It was one of the many reasons they had given when I asked what was wrong with me dating Blaine. Lucas had been my friend for more than half my life, yet he'd never stayed at my house. Not as often as I was at his.

There was a different dynamic in the Lester home. Or, at least there had been. Maybe it was the lack of supervision. Maybe it was the life that they had built in that home that made it more inviting. Whatever it was, it didn't compare to mine. With my mother's new way of thinking, maybe it would make things better. For both of us.

**~~**

"Your mother was in rare form tonight," Blaine teased. "Did you see that she actually smiled at me? I don't mean one of those polite smiles she hands out to everyone. It was a full blown smile."

"She's trying to make an effort," I answered, wrapping my arms around her. Settling my chin on her shoulder, I kissed her cheek.

"Are you sure she didn't want to see how a dysfunctional family works?"

"I did consider that. No offense to your family, but it is the most honest one I've seen and I think she needs to know it's possible."

"Your dad still doing his thing," she asked. Given her previous encounters with both of my parents, she didn't owe it to them to be so kind. She knew my theories about what he was really doing with his time.

"Yup, and Mom is still covering for his stupid ass."

"Finn," she sighed.

"What? He has a wife that is devoted to him. They have a damn family together. The least he could do is divorce her and get on with his life."

"Like my parents?"

"Maybe." I shrugged, nuzzling her neck. She tilted her head back, resting it on my shoulder. Her hands stopped rubbing my forearms as I struggled to make up for the stupid comment. "Your mother didn't do it right. There's no denying that, but can you honestly tell me that had she stuck around you would have been happy? She obviously wasn't happy and had to go find what did make her happy. She didn't cheat on your father with some coffee getter."

"And you think a divorce will fix all the problems under the James' roof?" She turned her head to look at me.

"It won't fix a damn thing." I mumbled the truth. "My mom won't have to hide behind that wall though. She can relax and stop making excuses for him. He can do what he wants without making us feel like we aren't worth his time."

"Have you tried talking to him?"

"He's barely home these days, Laine."

"You've been crashing with me at the Russel's more than you've been home."

"Are you kicking me out."

"Only for a few days." She reached back to stroke my cheek. "Take some time to be with your mom, Finn. Maybe then you'll be able to catch your dad and you two can talk through this mess. Tell him what you told me, but nicer. It could be the little push that he needs to see what he's doing is unfair."

"Have you met my dad?"

"Stubborn. Arrogant. Ambitious. Kind of a dick. Yeah, I've met him. I've also met you. Better yet, I know you. You can take on that suits long as you keep a clear head and focus on the reason you're doing it. You've come a long way, Finnigan James. You just have to prove it to him off the field. Show him the brilliant and caring young man you are."

My arms tightened their hold around her waist as she twisted in them to burrow herself into my chest. Her legs kicked up to trap my leg beneath them. My lips pressed a kiss to the top of her head. It was because of her and moments like this that I learned what it was like to care about something other than football. I didn't need to go looking for a good time like my buddies, or get drunk enough to know my own name. There was no need for the fame that didn't expand outside of this little town. All I needed was the girl in my arms for the rest of my life.