Page 90 of Suits and Spark Plugs

“This seems a little heavy for, what, like our second date?”

“Is this a date? Because if you think it is, well, life just got easier for me.” He wiggled his eyebrows and I rolled my eyes. “Come on, tell me.”

“My dad lied to our family...” I began, and then I told him everything. It felt as though I’d finally uncorked the bottle and was tipping all the spoiled liquid out. I told him about my mom working her two jobs, my dad living his high life, Sadie and her suffering, me trying to hold it all together. I totally unburdened myself. When it was all done, I slumped forward in my chair and laid my head on the desk. It was strange to have someone besides Kelly know everything. It was both freeing and terrifying. I wondered if he understood just how much this moment meant.

Connor, who had been silent the whole time, sat up in his chair across the desk and leaned forward to place his hand on my head. “That sounds like a lot.”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know if this makes it better or not, but I would have never guessed all that was happening.”

I turned my head to the side and looked at him with one eye. “Really? You didn’t look at me and think I seemed to be barely keeping it together?”

“No. Not at all. You blaze around town like you haven’t got a care in the world. That must have been really lonely.”

That insight had me spellbound, and the words slipped out unexpectedly. Words I’d thought often but had never said aloud. “People assume that strong people don’t need any help.”

He nodded slowly, chewing his lip and running his hand through my hair. I closed my eyes at the gentle gesture, surprised at how much I was loving it.

“Thanks for telling me,” he said quietly.

“Thanks for not going deer in the headlights,” I replied.

“You talk a big game, Livy, but nothing you’ve said or done has scared me off. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-four

When I entered the kitchen the next morning Mom was already gone and Sadie was standing around looking a little lost. I had a thought that I kicked myself for never having before.

“Want to grab breakfast at the diner? My treat?”

She startled a bit, having not heard me come in, but a smile gradually bloomed and she nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

We gathered our things and got in my car before I asked, “Did you see Mom this morning?”

She shook her head. “It’s just so weird. It’s hard to keep track of how Mom and Dad feel about each other. I don’t like it.”

My heart went out to my sister, once again. I’d had the first eighteen years of my life with parents who acted like, well, parents. She must be really confused all the time.

“Yeah, it’s strange,” I replied. “The good news is that they are still talking and they’re figuring it out, even if it’s...”

“Totally dysfunctional.”

“Yes. That.”

It was still early enough that the diner wasn’t in full swing, and I waved at Kelly as we entered, signaling that we’d take a seat at the open counter area. She nodded and went back to taking orders at a booth. We climbed onto two red vinyl stools, the material squeaking as we got settled.

“What are you going to have?” I asked Sadie, who was perusing the menu.

“Oatmeal and apple juice.”

“You might be the only kid I know who orders oatmeal,” I teased. She bopped her head back and forth once and shrugged. “Do you want anything in it?”

“Like what?”

“Like raisins or...”

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