Owen raised an eyebrow.
“Your dad sounds fun.”
Mason gave an embarrassed smile.
“He can be intense.”
Before anyone could answer, Vanessa called from across the cafeteria.
“Mason!”
He looked over his shoulder.
“I should go.”
Then he added quietly, “Good luck.”
“You too,” Eli said.
As Mason walked away, Owen watched him thoughtfully.
“He seems nice.”
“He does,” I agreed.
Neither boy mentioned that Mason was their half brother.
But I knew they had both been thinking it.
At noon, the preliminary results were posted.
Students rushed toward the digital board.
Parents crowded behind them.
I stood near the entrance, too nervous to move.
Then Owen shouted.
“Mom!”
He was grinning.
Eli stood beside him, staring at the board as though he couldn't quite believe it.
I pushed through the crowd.
There they were.
Three names among the finalists.
Mason Whitmore.
Eli Bennett.
Owen Bennett.
I covered my mouth.
