Page 13 of If You Love Me

“Lesson learned, I think.” Part of me want to pull him aside and see what I can learn so we can fix the issue with Connor. But I need to earn his trust first, and being social is one way to show him and everyone else this is more than just a job for me.

“My legs will remind me to keep my fists to myself in the future,” he says wryly. “Talls, you need a refill on your soda?”

She shakes her half-full glass. “I’m good, thanks.”

Flip and Dallas join the other players at the bar, leaving me with the girls. They pour margaritas and pass them out, but I opt for water.

“How’s your university experience so far?” Dred directs the question at Tally.

She glances over her shoulder, then drops her voice. “Classes are fine. But I went to an off-campus party with a couple of girls in my program, and it was just a lot of stupid drunkenness and boys peeing wherever they felt like.”

“That sounds accurate, and like parts of my job,” Dred says dryly.

“Where do you work?” I ask.

“The public library. Sometimes people suffering with addiction issues use the space to stay dry and warm. Especially in the winter,” she explains.

“Oh wow. That must be hard.” My library experiences were limited to the local one in my smallish town growing up. I imagine it’s different in a big city.

“Everyone needs a safe place to go. We also get a lot of teens from the local group homes because we have a few special programs,” Dred continues, her smile soft. “Those kids are my favorite. I grew up in the foster system, so I commiserate. Big chips on their shoulders until you offer them cookies and a juice box.”

“I still love a juice box and a cookie,” I reply.

“Same.”

My phone pings with a message from Ophelia. “I need a second. This is my sister.”

Big Pheels

Today’s baking adventure courtesy of mini croissants.

Callie wants hot dogs for dinner. Please tell her that’s not food.

Lexi

I’m at a restaurant. I can bring something yummy home!

“What’s your favorite thing on the menu?” I ask Dred. “I want to bring my sisters dinner.”

“Everything is good here. You can never go wrong with their loaded potato skins though.”

“Perfect. Thanks.” I relay that message and send a link to the menu.

Big Pheels

Will look and report back.

“That’s cool that you and your sisters live together.” Dred sips her drink. “You must be so close.”

“I’m actually their legal guardian.”

Her eyes flare. “Oh. Wow. That’s…Can I ask how old they are?”

“Yeah. Sure.” This is always such a hard conversation. “Ophelia is seventeen, and Calliope is eight. They’re my half-sisters. We have different dads, and the same mom. Had.” I shake my head. “My mom and stepdad passed away last year in a boating accident.”

“I’m so sorry.” Dred touches my shoulder. “That must be so hard for all of you.”

I nod, not wanting to talk about my own feelings. I’ve learned how to compartmentalize them. It’s the only way I’ve made it this far. “But they’re great girls, and I love them. We’re all learning as we go.”

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