Page 323 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Are you in trouble?”

Elliot stared.

“What?”

“Not relationship trouble.”

Her voice lowered.

“Real trouble.”

His heartbeat changed.

“No.”

The lie came automatically. Rebecca studied him. Mothers were dangerous that way. She had known him before he learned how to perform for everyone else. Maybe not everything. More than most.

“Elliot.”

“I’m fine.”

“I didn’t ask whether you were fine.”

Fuck. Everyone had learned that now. He looked toward the stairs. Ronan remained upstairs. Rebecca followed his gaze.

“Does Ronan know?”

Elliot looked back.

“Know what?”

“Whatever you’re not telling me.”

Silence. Her face changed. There. Mother. Recognition without information.

“He does.”

Not a question. Elliot said nothing. Rebecca swallowed.

“Is he protecting you?”

His chest tightened.

“No.”

Another lie. Worse. Rebecca stared.

“Your whole life, you’ve been able to look me in the eye when you lie.”

Elliot froze. She continued.

“You’re not doing it now.”

He forced himself to meet her gaze. Too late. Rebecca’s eyes filled with something he did not want to name. Fear. Not of him. For him.

“Mom.”

“What happened?”