Page 66 of Secret Spark

“I mean…” She couldn’t help snorting. “You kind of do.”

“Don’t you start,” Sadie laughed.

Because she was genuinely curious, and also as a temperature check, Joan asked, “What would your parents think about you hanging out with one ofthose people?”

Sadie set her dishes on the countertop. “They’d probably jump in the car and try to drag me back to West Vector. But I wouldn’t go. I’m safe with you.”

Shiiiiiit.But hey, even if she was Catch, Sadie’s parents wouldn’t like her. So that was something.

“I look out for the people I care about,” Joan said. That much was true.

She went back for their water glasses. Her phone lit up with a text from Mark. One to both her and Perry.

Perry where the fuck are you?????

She shook her head hard enough for Sadie to notice. “Oh no. Is my mom texting you now?” she teased.

“It’s from Mark.”

“Better a text than having him interrupt another date.”

“I should warn you that’ll happen again. Mark stops by all the time.”

“If he wants to hang out with us, that’d be fine. I’d like to get to know him better. He’s so important to you.”

“Yeah, he’s…”

He’s your brother. She doesn’t even know he’s your damn brother.

Maybe the truth could come out in bits and pieces. Chip away at the lies. She could get one out, then lead to more important ones.

Joan set the glasses next to the dirty plates. “I have to tell you something.”

“Okay.” Concern filled Sadie’s eyes.

Drawing in a deep, steadying breath, Joan said, “Mark isn’t my cousin. He’s actually my brother. My twin brother.”

“Oh.”

“We keep it a secret for both our safety. No one needs to know we’re twins, or even that we’re siblings. I didn’t want to lie to you, but we don’t tell anyone other than people who know us really well.”

“Oh,” Sadie said again. She gradually nodded. “Okay. That makes sense. His eyes are like yours. Is he?—”

“He’s not a Superhero.” Joan was quick to quell that notion.

“Okay. You keep it under wraps. I get it. Now I see how Mark’s connected. Thanks for telling m—” Sadie’s eyes widened. “Wait. Then it was just your parents who kicked you out?”

“Yeah.”

“Both of you?”

A twinge squeezed Joan’s heart. “Yep.”

“Wow. Two kids.” Sadie took a step closer and set her cool fingers on Joan’s forearm. “Do you have any other siblings?”

“No, it’s just us.”

“Your parents sent their only two kids away?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Wow. I mean…Wow.No wonder you don’t talk to them.”

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