I sucked in a breath. We never talked about Dad. He’d been a playboy too. A man never tied down. He came to town twice. Stuck around for a bit, but when having kids lost its luster, he was gone.
“Do you really think he would do that?”
“First of all, he’s a man.Yes,I think he would. He’s also younger and sleeps around. Jude warned me about him after I mentioned he was in town. He’s a heartbreaker.”
“Jude knew about him?”
“He broke the director’s heart in season one. She’d begged him to give her a chance and all he wanted was a night of fun.”
My mouth went dry. He’d been nice to me, but our relationship had been short and he’d left just like he said he would.
“Listen, the baby isyours.” Brooke shook her head. “You’re the one growing it. He just shot right once and got you pregnant.”
“Do youhaveto say it like that?”
“Am I wrong?”
She wasn’t. “No. I just don’t wanna think about it.”
“You’ll have to when you have it.”
Just like Jade, she already knew my decision. “You think I’m keeping it?”
“You’re a mom anyway. It may as well be to your own kid.”
I felt a pocket of warmth for my sister. So much of our relationship was strained, but there were times I knew she cared about me.
“How do you think the town is gonna react when they find out?” I asked.
She laughed. “Oh, I don’t wanna be you right now. Have fun with that. They’re gonna be so in your ass, but at least it’s not me this time.”
All the warm feelings cooled. “That’s helpful.”
“It’s the truth,” she said with a shrug. “Sorry, Grace, but you’ve totally ruined your good girl reputation.”
I shut my laptop. “You’re so great at pep talks.”
She didn’t sense my sarcasm. “Thanks. I love giving them.”
6
DEAN
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
SherriffMike Finch:Jackie, are you still keeping those raccoons as pets?
Comments:
Marjorie Brown:Plead the Fifth, Jackie. You ain’t gotta tell him shit!
Mollie Wilson:But she’s admitted it before. Can you use group comments as evidence?
Marjorie Brown:I’ve broken plenty of laws in my youth. They can and will do whatever it takes! Delete those posts, Jackie!
SherriffMike Finch:Dammit, Marjorie. This wasn’t your attitude when I helped you change your tire.
Marjorie Brown:You weren’t sniffing out arrests then.