Page 35 of Rousing Renee

“I know. Dumb rule.”

“You didn’t want to know about Tammy because you were jealous and hurt by her actions.”

“Jealous?” she scoffed.

“Yes. Scholarship.”

“Fine. I didn’t like that the two of you were messing around, either.”

“Okay. Are we talking about the past or not?” I asked her to confirm.

“Go ahead.” She sighed.

“Since I was younger, I’ve always wanted children. Tammy knew that and lied about wanting them.”

“She had an implant put in while we were in high school. She definitely didn’t want any accidental children. She hated kids. How did you not know that?” Renee asked.

“She showed me a different side of her. We went as far as getting tested because we couldn’t conceive. That’s how I found out that she had her tubes tied and had been on birth control all this time.”

“Ouch. That’s harsh. As somebody who really, really wants children, I understand how that must’ve felt. I’d be severely hurt if I couldn’t have babies.”

“You don’t have to say that if you really don’t want them.”

“You wish. I want all the babies.” She giggled. “I’ll have to show you the book I have filled with baby name combinations.”

“You will.” I stared into her eyes, and they shone brighter than they had been when she walked out of the bathroom.

“So she lied to us both.”

“She did,” I confirmed. “The important part is that we are truthful to one another. Anything else I should know?”

“That I tried to commit suicide six months ago.”

“I figured that’s what you meant. Anything else?”

“No.”

“All right. Let’s go get this grilled cheese made.”

“Now?”

“Mhm. Right now.”

“Yes, Sir.”

And that was the right damn answer.

CHAPTER 10

Renee

I took a bite of my slightly burnt grilled cheese. It wasn’t as good as the one he’d made, but we weren’t wasting a perfectly good sandwich.

“Ready to try again?” he asked.

“Mhm. I need the fire to be set lower and more cheese. I remember.”

“Good girl.”

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