Page 208 of One Big Little Secret

She smiles. “That’d be cool. We certainly try to make everything yummy at the Sugar Bowl. But this family, I thought they’d be more stuck up. Giant sticks up their asses, just like I thought about Dex at first.” She winces. “But they’re not like that at all. I was so wrong. If you’re worried you and Patton—”

“I’m not. He hasn’t even spoken to me in a few days,” I say, wishing the words hadn’t left my mouth. There’s no hiding it now, though, so I sigh and give her the truth. “We had an argument, Junie. I said crap I didn’t mean, and I think he did, too. Not that I can ever read that man’s mind.”

Arlo’s mouth moves sleepily as he rolls over. I decide to let him doze instead of wrestling him into his pajamas.

“Oh, I mean, that’s no surprise. I kinda thought you guys were fighting,” Juniper nods, tucking a lock of her auburn hair behind her ear. “When he came back here, he just seemed different. Way more protective and guarded, I guess.”

My heart sinks.

“That’s my fault. I made him think—” I bite back the hurt in my voice.What’s the point of waiting for someone who’s so damn scared she won’t stop running from the past?“I don’t know what to do. Is he even in town? I couldn’t bring myselfto ask Delly.” It’s a long shot, I know, but I suddenly have the fiercest urge to see him, to hash this out in person.

“I’m sorry. He’s on a mission, I heard.” Juniper shakes her head slowly.

“Where?”

She shrugs. “I wish I knew. The guys made it clear this was their thing, and I’m trusting they won’t screw it up. Feel free to ask Dex if you want, though. Or I’ll be happy to do it for you.”

I stare at Arlo, the light of my life. He’s back to sleeping peacefully and the color in his cheeks looks almost normal again.

Alive.

He’s alive and okay, thank God.

I repeat the words in my head as I follow Junie back downstairs, but she stops me before we head into the dining room, where I guess they’ve all moved for dinner.

“Also, not to make this awkward, but I know about Arlo and Patton,” she says softly.

She knows?

Shit.

I stop mid-step and stare. “Patton told you?”

“No. I’m just a good observer, and I’m pretty well acquainted with Rory eyes by now. There’s no mistaking that shade of blue with Arlo.” She smiles gently. I try to relax before her next words turn me to stone. “But he told his brothers. Accidentally, I think.”

“Oh my God, he… he told them? What did they say?”

“Not much. Delly doesn’t know, not yet. They decided it’s not their place to drop the bomb. They want her to hear it from the horse’s mouth. From him, from you, whenever things are less crazy…”

She can say that again.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so heavy with everything pulling me down.

“I’m not trying to make this harder. I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone. And also that”—her brows draw together slightly—“Patton really loves the boy. There’s no faking that.”

“I know, I just—” I stop. What else can I say when his words pummel me in the face again?

What’s the point of waiting for someone who’s so damn scared she won’t stop running from the past?

God, he’s right, and I’m still living like I’m afraid of my own shadow.

“It’ll be fine, I’m sure, even if it feels pretty difficult right now.” She pushes the door open to the formal dining room.

Sure enough, Dexter and Archer are arguing again, although their voices hold a little less vitriol than usual. Delly sits at the head of the table like the queen she is, massaging her temples.

I see Colt at the other end of the table. He’s checked out of the conversation with his earbuds in, playing a game on his phone.

When they see me, everyone goes silent.

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