Page 19 of Mistaken Magic

"That'ssad,"Imumbled, unsure howIwas supposed to react.

Liamnodded his head at the road. "Yeah, it also explains why they have no clue how to relate to kids, butIthink they are honestly trying.Neitherof them could risk stepping out of line,Rain.Myfather loved to use his belt.Nancy'sused his fists.Soundsto me like you know a little something about that?"

"Myfather only hit my mother,"Iexplained. "Well, at least from whatIremember.Hewas a cold man who never really talked to me or anything.Iwas five years old when she shot him."

"Yeah."Hesighed. "Believeit or not, there actually are some very good parents out there."

"Likeyou?"Iasked.

Hepaused for just a little too long. "No,I'mnever going to be a parent.Sorry, kiddo."

"Whynot?"Iasked. "You're, what, early thirties?Neverknow, might findMissRightand change your mind."

Helicked his lips. "Rain, that's not going to happen."Hepaused, and the silence after it was a little too intense, but he refused to look at me. "I'vebeen in a serious relationship for years.It'sactually howIended up working atSilverOaks.Yousee, he was a student when we met.Nowhe's one of the instructors."

"So, you're gay?"

Hegrumbled, but it wasn't an angry sound.Morelike he didn't quite know how to respond. "Myfamily thinksI'mdevoted to my career.Atwork,I'mmore open with my life.Yeah,I'mgay, butI'dprefer you not use that word with my brother.Hemight take it out on you."

"Understood,"Iassured him. "Ikinda wondered what was wrong with you.Leastbeing gay isn't wrong."

"Itis in my family."Hetapped his thumb on the steering wheel. "I'malso not brave enough to have that fight."

Islid down in the seat, stretching my legs out before me. "Ithink it wouldn't be worth it."ThenIgiggled. "Areyou one of those gay guys who knows all about fashion?"

"What?" he asked. "No.Don'tstereotype."

"Wasn't.Iwas actually hoping.Imean..."AndIwaved at the ugly clothesIwas wearing. "Thisis pretty bad."

"Iknow enough to agree," he promised. "So, that doesn't bother you?Mebeing gay?"

"Nope."Thistime,Iwas the one flashing him the smile.Ihoped it looked supportive. "I'malso not going to say anything.I'mwilling to bet that living in a boy's dorm kinda makes things weird, right?"

"Notas much as you'd think," he admitted. "Thefaculty knows.Mostof the students are aware.It'snot being hidden, butIdon't exactly offer up the information, if you know whatImean."

"Becausekids are cruel and parents aren't any better?"Ibobbed my head in understanding. "Believeme,I'vehad enough experience with foster families to have first-hand experience.We'recool,UncleLiam.Thanksfor telling me."

"Iwant kids, you know."

Hejust dropped that out there.Theway he said it made it clear he didn't expect an answer, but this was me.Icouldn't help myself. "You'dmake a kick-ass dad.Single, with this boyfriend of yours, or whatever.Wait, do you live with him?"

Heactually laughed. "Yes, we share the apartment."

"Wait, we get apartments?"Becausethat sounded even better thanIexpected.

"Youhave a dorm," he assured me. "Ihave an apartment.Benefitsof being faculty."

Notlong after that, we made it back into the actual town ofPlainsboro.Iexpected we'd go straight back to theSparks' house.Instead,Liammade a turn ontoMainStreet, then pulled up in front of a little shop with some cute clothes in the window.Whenhe turned off the car,Igave him a confused look.

"I'mbribing you," he said. "Rain,Itold theSparksthe uniforms are provided, but that's only partly true.SilverOakswill assign you two blazers and four ties.Thewhite shirts and appropriate skirts can be checked out from the school uniform office or purchased, but they aren't flattering."Hesighed. "I'dplanned to make sure you have something, which is whyItold my brother the school would handle it.So, how about two skirts in exchange for pretending like our chat a minute ago never happened?"

"Liam,"Igroaned, "I'mnot going to out you."

"AndI'mnot going to make you keep wearing that mess," he teased. "Weboth know that ifNancybought you clothes, they wouldn't be any better.Considerthis your seventeenth birthday present or something."

"Thatwas back inMay,"Itold him.

"SoI'ma little late.Ididn't know you then.Rain, don't make this harder than it has to be.Youneed a few things for school, theSparksaren't about to get them, andIneed to not have all the teachers laughing about my niece."

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