Page 61 of We Never Kissed

My mouth flew open, and he grinned. “I have faith in you, honey. You have a good heart.” Wrapping an arm around my shoulders, he said, “I’m sure you’ll figure this all out.”

Guilt tainted the warm and comforting feeling my dad’s hugs always brought. He hadn’t even asked me who it was or what had happened. Just supported me like he always did. Hesitantly, I said, “Dad…I need to tell you something.”

He pulled back, looked me in the eyes. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“Well…” I took a deep breath, praying my dad would continue to be supportive even after he heard my confession. “The thing about this guy… He’s really important to me. In fact, he’s—”

“Hey, you two! Hogging the driveway just so you can chit chat?”

Dad and I turned to find Mom walking up from behind the car.

“We’re changing the oil,” Dad said.

“You just changed the oil last week.” She kissed my dad on the cheek, then gave me a hug.

“Dad!” I said, my eyes wide.

He didn’t hide his wry smile. “We’re bonding, Sue,” he said to her but was looking at me.

“Actually, I was about to tell Dad something, but now that you’re here—”

“It’s going to have to wait,” she said, taking me by the wrist. “I need to speak to Ava inside. Your dad will finish, right, dear?”

“Oh, sure, Dad will clean up the mess.”

With Mom’s grip tightening on my arm, I resisted and gave my dad an apologetic look.

“Go, it’s fine,” he said. “I’ll be in soon.”

Without releasing me, Mom wentthrough the front door and all the way to the kitchen. Then she let go and set her bag down on the counter. “Why don’t you wait to tell your dad until this whole thing plays out.”

My jaw dropped. “You know? Did…Alex tell you?”

She moved to the fridge and opened the door. “He came to see me today, but I already knew, honey. I have for a while now.” After a beat of silence, she shut the door. “I think we’ll order pizza tonight. You staying?”

“Mom!” I couldn’t think of anything else to say, though I had so many questions. Instinctively, I moved closer to her, and she took me into her arms.

“I’m sorry, baby. I know this is hard for you. For both of you. But I just know in my heart you’ll get through it.”

With my face against her shoulder, I said, “Aren’t you mad at me?”

She chuckled. “Of course not. Do I approve of keeping secrets? No.” Then she was quiet, but I stayed in her arms for a few seconds longer before pulling back.

“And?” I asked, sure she must have more to say.

“There’s no point hashing it out. We can’t help who we love, and to be honest, I saw this coming a mile away. Even when you were with Mark.”

I coughed out a laugh, my eyes watering over. “But you know what I did.”

Rubbing my back, she said, “Yes, and knowing you, you’re punishing yourself enough.”

I should have thanked her, but I didn’t. I knew what she would say, but I asked what I really wanted to know. “So…what did Alex say to you?”

She pulled her lips beneath her teeth, then said, “I’m not getting in the middle of this, honey. All I can say is give him some time.”

Time I could do, but time could also mean… “But what if I give him time, and he gets over me?”

She grinned instantly. “I don’t think there’s much chance of that.”

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