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“That you’re your own person?”

I nod.

“Seems like a pretty easy one to me.”

“Well, I’ve never met a guy—or anyone, really—who doesn’t care about my last name. That I’m Coach Stevens’ daughter and Liam Stevens’ sister,” I tell him. I’m slightly embarrassed by my admission, so I quickly shift topics. “What are you doing out here?”

“My dad’s having an affair.”

“Oh.” The syllable hangs awkwardly between us. I’m unsure of what else to say. I assumed he was going to say he needed some quiet, or the party was lame. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” I finally add.

“Why would you have?” Amused blue eyes meet mine.

“Uh—people talk?” I offer awkwardly. Surely he knows about the efficiency of our towns’ gossip mills. Especially when it comes to him.

Weston laughs once. Humorlessly. “Yeah, people do talk,” he acknowledges. “But they can’t talk about things they don’t know.”

It takes a moment for his meaning to sink in.

“Why did you tell me, then?” I can’t help but wonder.

“You asked,” he replies simply, taking a sip of beer. I watch the tendons in his throat contract as he swallows.

“I’m sure plenty of other people ask you things.”

“If I want a beer? If I want to hook up? If I’m ready for the season? Sure.”

I’m not sure how to respond to that, so I take the final swallow of my soda and begin playing with the metal tab on the can.

“Do you want some?” Weston holds the beer bottle closer to me.

“No, I’m good.”

“You don’t drink?”

“Nope,” I reply.

“Bad experience?”

“My dad’s an alcoholic.”

I don’t know who’s more surprised by the admission: Weston or me. I’ve had the same three best friends since kindergarten, and I’ve never told any of them the real reason I avoid alcohol.

Blurting out the truth to one of them would be understandable.

Entrusting Weston Cole with the knowledge is unconscionable.

He looks over at me, and I’m oddly comforted by his serious expression. “People can’t talk about things they don’t know, right?” I say, half-shrugging. He nods once, acknowledging he’s not the only one spilling secrets tonight.

Honesty must be contagious.

“Are your parents getting divorced?” I finally ask.

“Nah, everyone thinking we’re the perfect family is too important to them. And this isn’t the first time. It’s why we moved here last summer.”

The speculation regarding why the Coles moved to Alleghany from the city has been the subject of many a conspiracy theory in Glenmont, mostly due to the timing of their arrival, but none that I’ve heard mention a past affair. I take this to mean Weston has just shared another secret with me.

“That sucks,” I finally say, unable to think of anything else to reply with. I’m confused, and it’s muddling my thoughts. Weston Cole is nothing like I expected him to be. It’s disconcerting.

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