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“Dad.” I nod back.
Mom sighs beside me, and I know that means I’m getting a call when Dad’s at work tomorrow. She desperately wants me to forgive him. I just can’t. I’ve heard his many attempts at excuses—“I didn’t know,” or “I was honest with your mom”—but none of them matter because he still cheated.
Ignoring her reaction, I turn to Liam and offer him a high five.
“Jenny said you have a surprise for me,” he says hesitantly, referring to my mom, as he bounces on the balls of his feet. He still calls both my dad and mom by their real names, and my parents just go with it, knowing he’ll get there when he’s ready.
“I may have a tiny surprise,” I say, holding my fingers up about an inch apart with a straight face, trying to hide my excitement.
Liam’s face lights up before it scrunches in thought, and I can’t stop my responding smile.
“Can I eat it?” he asks after a moment, and I burst out laughing before covering my mouth.
“Sadly not, but I also brought some cookies, and you can definitely eat those.”
“Logan!” my mom scolds, and I chuckle at the fact that she still has her no sweets after dinner rule…something I used to hate, but now I can see her reasoning. Sugar after dinner always gives Liam a second wind. Not that it stopped me from bringing it.
“What is it? Show me, show me, show me,” Liam yells excitedly now, interrupting my standoff with Mom.
I pat down my pockets as I walk his way. “It’s not something I can show you here.” I pause for dramatic effect even though Liam would have no idea what that means. “I’ve moved closer to you, little bud. I live just around the corner now. I’m going to get to see you more often.”
His eyes widen as he takes in what that means and then pumps his hand in the air. “Yes! Can you sit next to me at dinner, Peanut?” he asks, using the nickname he gave me, while completely moving on from my big news.
I huff out a laugh. Knowing him, he’ll have a million questions once it's sunk in, but for now, I let it slide and pull him into a hug. “Of course I can. Let’s go.”
I spend the night focused completely on Liam, hoping to avoid the awkward conversations that I know are waiting to be had, and after putting him to bed, I meet Mom in the kitchen to say goodbye.
“He’s a great kid,” I say as I enter the room.
A warm smile lights up Mom’s face and her love for him shines through. “He really is. And so are you. You’ve always been so helpful and reliable and—”
“What do you need?” I deadpan. She’s laying it on thick tonight.
Mom grins. “I have some stuff to donate for the college football team’s winter fundraiser. Can you drop it off when you head to the college tomorrow? Liam’s aunt is organizing it.”
I huff out a breath because I suspect this is a precursor to how it’s going to be living close to them again. “I haven’t even settled in and you’re asking me to run errands.”
Mom laughs. “Trust me, you owe me. I dropped you at the beach many mornings before my brain had even woken up.”
Uh, she always pulls the mom-taxi card. I was under driving age; how else did she expect me to get there?
“Okay, Mom. I guess I can do thisonething. Give me the details.”
I emphasize theoneeven though I’m sure it means nothing to her. Especially with the cheesy smile she has on her face.
“Thank you, sweetie.”
I try to sneak out after that, but as I’m leaving, Dad chases me into the yard and I wince at the sound of his voice. “Don’t you think you’ve been pissed at me for long enough?“ he asks, his voice laced with hurt.
Spinning at his words, my eyes narrow as I throw my hands in the air. “Obviously not, Dad. Because I’m still angry.”
He frowns, like it’s going to get sympathy. “But your mother—”
“I know she forgave you. And I’m grateful for Liam. I am. But you had a secret family, Dad. That’s not easy to forget.”
Anger flashes across his face before he schools his features. “I didn’t have a secret family. I had ason. And there’s more to it. I didn’t know. I didn’t even… I want to tell you but the fact that you won’t listen makes me think you’re not ready to hear it.”
I scoff and start shaking my head before he’s even finished speaking. “Did you cheat on Mom?” I ask for the millionth time, knowing that like always, he’s going to change the subject, proving his guilt. Because at the end of the day it’sthatsimple.
