Page 92 of Tell Me Something True

“Not particularly,” she said, calm and cool-like, as if she absolutely, one hundred percent meant it. “Although I am a little bit curious as to how I became the topic of conversation. I can’t imagine why Miles would bring me up. Or want to talk about me. Especially after the way we left things earlier today.”

“He didn’t bring you up. Verity did.”

“Oh.” But it was stupid to feel disappointed. Foolish to be surprised that Miles wasn’t out there chatting about her to anyone who’d listen. “I’m still confused. What does Verity have to do with it?”

“Every Sunday the Jennings have a family dinner. And tonight, you were the hot topic of conversation.”

“I’m sure Miles didn’t like that.”

“Oh, he didn’t. But the Jennings are nothing if not relentless when they want something.”

“You don’t like them,” Tabitha said, slowly. “The Jennings.”

Although she obviously liked, or at least trusted Verity and her brothers with Ian enough to leave him in their care.

“It’s impossible not to like them,” she said, not sounding too pleased by it, “with the way they all love Ian and help care for him. They’ve been there for my son since before he was born.”

“But they weren’t there for you?”

“They tried.” She paused. Held Tabitha’s gaze. “But I learned early on how stupid it was to rely on a Jennings.”

And if those words weren’t a warning, Tabitha would eat her new ugly camp chair.

“I’m not relying on Miles. For anything.”

“Maybe you’re not relying on him for anything, but Verity is under the impression that you moved your entire life here for him.”

“As I’ve learned, Verity has a very active imagination.”

“Look,” Kat said, resigned and grudgingly, as if Tabitha was yanking the words from her mouth against her will, “this isn’t my business and usually, I wouldn’t say anything, but if there’s one thing I have experience with, it’s the Jennings. They’re a unit. A strong one. They stick together no matter what. They’re kind and funny and charming, truly love each other and actually enjoy being together. That kind of bond is rare. And so lovely it draws certain people to them. People who want to be a part of that. People who’ve never had that.”

Tabitha could only stare.

How on earth was this woman seeing inside Tabitha’s head right into the deepest, most secret part of her?

“Am I the some kind of people?” she asked, because two could play this I’m good at reading people game. “Or are you?”

Kat’s first grin of this conversation was fast, appreciative, and quickly gone. “Yes. But the thing is, even though they’re hard to dislike, even though they draw you in, they’re still human. And beneath the surface each and every one of them is hiding their very own personal demons. Thoughts and fears and traumas that they don’t share with anyone. Not even each other.”

“Mom!” Ian called. “I’m ready to read!”

They both looked to see him in the doorway in only a pair of cartoon sleep shorts, hair wet and dotted with shampoo suds, the dirt still on his chin.

Kat shut her eyes, muttered what sounded like a prayer for patience under her breath, then told him, “I’ll be right in.” She turned back to Tabitha. “And the reason they keep their demons to themselves,” she continued as if they hadn’t been interrupted, “is because admitting they have them would make those demons real, and then they’d have to face them. Deal with them.”

Tabitha thought of the nightmares Miles used to have when they were together. How he’d shut down when she asked them about them.

Remembered his panic attack from three weeks ago.

Demons, indeed.

“I get that you’re trying to warn me about something,” Tabitha said, “and while I appreciate the sentiment, I didn’t move here for Miles. I moved here for me.”

She knew better than to think Miles could forgive her. That he’d ever give her a second chance.

She’d be stupid to hope for something so far out of her reach.

Kat’s mouth went flat. “They didn’t know about you.”

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