Page 212 of One Big Little Secret

A tall boy with a shock of sandy hair comes over and sets down coffee and a few small bites for us. I asked Junie to give us whatever she recommended, and she’s totally outdone herself.It’s a small tower of tiny cakes, bite-sized so we can have as many as we choose.

For a second, my parents shut their mouths and start stuffing them instead.

Good timing.

The only thing I agree on is that we need breathing space, before anyone says something they can’t take back.

My participation in this talk is hanging by a thread.

Mom looks at me, the force of her gaze pinning me down.

She always gave me that look when I was a kid and stepped out of line. Right now, it’s more like an invitation for me to fall backinline.

For me to give up what I’ve built, what I’ve lived, and go back to being the doormat she always wanted in a daughter.

Worse, it’s the future she wants to inflict on Arlo.

I take a deep breath as I finish chewing my cake. Lemon, with a sweet icing that counteracts the sharpness.

“Look, you can talk all you want about a fresh start,” I tell them both. “And you can try to tempt me with money and promises, but I have a life here. I have afamily. And I have no intention of giving that up. If you’d like to meet Arlo and come back into my life, you’ll respect my terms.”

Mom’s perfectly outlined mouth tightens at the corners. “We’reyour family, Lemmy. Oh, it’s been years. Can’t we just forget this whole mess ever happened?”

“No. You abandoned me to raise my son alone so you could go chase beaches and your holiday trips to Hawaii.” The ire in my voice scrapes them raw with the truth, judging from the way they flinch back. I take a bite of the cake. “Also, I don’t need your money or your assistance. I’m co-parenting now.”

“With who?” Dad sucks in a sharp breath.

“Arlo’s father,” I say flatly.

Mom blinks at me as she swallows a gasp. “You—you knew who he was? Not your ex?”

“Not even close. He’s a wonderful part of Arlo’s life, and mine.” There’s a secret wish in my words, a prayer that Patton will always be around.

“Who is he?” she demands, drumming her nails on the table.

“His name is Patton Rory. He’s smart. He’s kind. More importantly, he’s always there for us, and I never need to have to ask him twice for anything.” There’s no point in hiding it now, or the sour little victory I feel at the shock shadowing their faces.

“Rory? As in…” Mom trails off as her face falls.

Dad’s expression withers.

Even with their California dreaming, the Rory name hits them like a bullet. That’s how it is with Kansas City royalty. Maybe Mom even met Delly while she was here, moving frantically in her lofty social circles.

“One of the Rory brothers,” Dad says in disbelief. “Higher Ends?”

“The one and only. The youngest brother, Patton.” I don’t bother hiding the smugness in my voice. If they thought they could lure me back with money, they’re mistaken. Patton Rory earns more in a year than they’ll earn in a lifetime.

“Impossible!” Mom hisses. “How could you possibly know them?”

“I didn’t, but things change fast. Arlo’s actually staying with Delly Rory right now while we have this family reunion.”

They gawk at me for what feels like a century.

I’m sure they’re waiting for me to back down and say I lied.

No dice.

I don’t back down. I meet their gazes with all the defiance Patton taught me, knocking me out of my own head and my fears with every kiss. I wish so badly I’d appreciated it more.

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