Page 26 of Scoring Chance

I knock.

A few seconds later, Tanner opens the door.

He’s wearing an old hoodie and jeans, and there’s a splotch of spaghetti sauce on his shoulder. I may be stepping into the middle of chaos, but for once, it feels like a chaos that might actually keep me grounded.

“Des?”

“Honey.” I sigh. “I’m home.”

9

TANNER

Telling your kids you're fake-married to your best friend isn't something they cover in parenting books.

There’s no section that says, “If your buddy from high school ends up in a sham marriage with you to get around America’s broken health care system and keep your four kids insured, and now he’s moving in with you to keep up the ruse, here's how to break the news to your children without sounding like a lunatic.” So I improvise.

We're all gathered in the living room, the air heavy with anticipation. With Russ and now Des’s entire company aware of our marital status, we had to get serious about keeping up appearances.

The kids sit like a half-interested audience—Lulu in my lap, Davy cross-legged on the rug, Dean balancing a pencil behind his ear like he’s taking notes for a future roast, and Lena perched on the armrest, arms folded, chin raised in skeptical judgment.

Des stands in front of the TV like he’s about to give a corporate keynote.

“So,” he begins, clapping once. “I have an announcement, team.”

I give him a look. “Don’t start with ‘announcement.’ You sound like you’re launching a new product. And we’re not a team. We’re a family.”

He frowns slightly, recalibrates. “Right. Okay. So…you guys remember when we said your dad and I got married?”

“It was like a magic trick,” I remind Dean and Lulu. While Davy and Lena are old enough to get the gist of what’s happening, I’m terrified of how my two youngest will process this. Rule number one of parenting: don’t teach your kids to lie. Though, all kids learn how to anyway, so maybe I’m fine.

Some lies are good lies, right?

All four kids nod—Dean with a mischievous smirk, Davy with a confused blink, Lena with one raised eyebrow that says, This better be good, and Lulu with a happy little gasp like she just remembered cake exists.

Des continues, brave man. “Well, technically, we told the truth. Just…not the whole truth.”

Dean leans forward. “So you're not married?”

Lulu gasps. “Lies?”

“We’re sort of…pretend married,” I explain. “Just for a little bit. It's so Des can keep his job and you guys can see a doctor in case you get hurt.”

“Why does Des need a job so we can see a doctor?” Lena asks.

There aren’t enough civics classes to explain that one. If we lived in Finland, this wouldn’t be an issue.

“That’s just how it is,” I say, using my firm dad voice to put an end to her questions. “And now his boss wants to meet his…family. So Des is going to live here for a little while.”

I hold my breath.

There’s a moment of silence, which is rare in this house. Then Davy squints.

“So it’s like...a spy mission?”

Des perks up. “Yes. Exactly.”

Dean beams. “Awesome. Do I get a code name?”