Page 214 of One Big Little Secret

“Spare me the excuses.”

Surprise flashes on her face, mingled with something else.

Hurt?

I’m not sorry.

We’ve been quasi-friends long enough for me to say something like that without her acting like I just shot her.

Even for this unexpected visit, she’s perfectly made up, like the dolls I used to play with as a kid.

Always perfect. Always presentable. Always thesameselfish brat.

“What do you want, anyway? I need to get back to Arlo soon.”

“Oh, right. But did you meet your parents? I heard they were in town,” she says, following me up the stairs. “I hope it went okay.”

“I didn’t tell them I was filing a restraining order, so I guess that’s a plus. They have one chance to start behaving themselves. We’ll see where we go from there.”

“Holy crap. Pretty hardass for you, Lemmy.”What gives? That’s what she really means. Surprise colors her voice. “I thought they might hit you up to go back to California.”

“They did.”

“Oh. And you said no?”

I turn around and face her, huffing a breath.

“Why, you’re trying to get rid of me?” I ask dryly, staring at the water stain on the wall and hoping she notices too. Any hint of mold will send her into a hypochondriac fit. “Or are you just wondering where Patton went?”

“I mean… I stopped by his office today in Lee’s Summit. He’s been out for a while, according to his secretary, and I wondered—”

“If I know where he is,” I finish.

Her eyes widen at whatever the look is on my face. Hopefully bitter rage because that’s what’s burning through my chest.

How dare she.

How dare she show up and pull this crap, now of all times.

“You decided you’d ambush me while I’m at my most vulnerable. Be honest,” I bite off.

“What? No, I—” She flinches back.

“Kayla, you could have visitedanytimethis past week after Arlo was poisoned. You could have called. But you chose the exact second when you couldn’t find Patton Rory. So you came sailing over here, pretending to be worried, all so I could bail out your latest boy toy quest. I’m not stupid. You’re in luck, I guess, because I have news for you.” I walk down a step and she stumbles back a few steps. “Here’s the thing, Kayla. He’s not going to date you.”

“What? What the hell is wrong with you?” Twin red suns flare on her cheeks. “Don’t talk to me like that! You don’t know him. Guys like Patton always come around.”

“Do they?” I laugh harshly. “Because I’ve figured out Patton Rory’s type—me.”

The red heat on her face melts into whiteness under her bronze skin. She grips the banister, not seeming to notice the metal is flecked with rust and grime from years of neglect.

“Y-you? What do you mean? Lemmy, you’re talking crazy.” She shakes her head. “Are you sure this Arlo situation hasn’t gone to your head?”

“No, Kay. Patton Rory is Arlo’s father.”

Her mouth almost hits the floor.

It would be hilarious if we weren’t standing here on a rundown staircase, arguing about Patton, a man I may never see again.

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