I stood up.
“Then explain the overnight bag.”
He glanced at Lucas, who was gripping his cardboard sign.
“Can we talk privately?”
“No. You can explain why you lied to us.”
Derek rubbed his forehead.
“Cindy wanted to discuss the situation between the boys. We thought it might be easier to talk somewhere neutral.”
I looked at Cindy.
“At a basketball game?”
She folded her arms.
“I had access to tickets. We thought we could have a calm conversation.”
“And the wedding ring?” I asked.
Derek looked down at his pocket.
“I panicked when the camera found us. I didn’t want people to misunderstand.”
“You thought removing your wedding ring would make the situation look better?”
“No,” he admitted. “I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
Lucas looked up at his father.
“Did you believe her?”
Derek hesitated.
That hesitation hurt more than any answer could have.
“I thought there might be another side to what happened,” he finally said.
