Page 63 of The Liar's Reckoning

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SILAS

“Don’t make me have to disown you at this hour. I’m practically on my deathbed.”

“Mom, God. I didn’t say we were getting back together. I just said he’s back in town.”

“I’m with Roz. If I have to walk across the bridge myself to keep you away from that man, I’ll do it—don’t think I won’t.”

My mom and Trixie are no fans of Ben. It might have to do with the fact that I spent two weeks here after he dumped me barely able to get out of bed, but that was how I learned the importance of resilience. In my defense, he blindsided me. I was not prepared to find myself wholly unloved. Forgive me if it took a couple weeks to bounce back. “He’s not the anti-christ. He’s just a guy who dumped me.”

“And now he feels bad about it and wants to date you again. Do you need me to remind you about your uncle David?”

I groan. “No.”

Uncle David married the same woman twice and she cheated on him twice leading him to divorce her twice. “A leopard can’t change his spots,” Trixie summarizes in lieu of the cautionary tale.

I tuck the recycled grocery bags into their spot in the pantry before closing the door and facing my parental figures. They’re both sitting at the kitchen table giving me the stink-eye. I shove my hands in my pockets and stare at them. “We went out one time. We’re not dating.”

“I hope he’s not the only thing you’re doing for fun,” my mother grumbles.

“Wow. If you wanna go there, let me assure you—he’s not.” Fuck, I shouldn’t have said that.

Her immediate interest makes her often dull eyes flash bright. “Do tell.”

“It’s top secret. He’s kinda famous.”

That really gets Mom going. “If I guess, will you tell me?”

Even if I don’t plan on disclosing a thing, seeing her excited makes me happy. I grin and take a seat with them. “Not a chance. And it’s not serious either, so don’t get any ideas. I’m just having fun—like you said.”

“Andishe?” Trixie asks. “Fun?”

“He’s interesting.”

“Show us a picture.”

I laugh. “Nice try.”

“How do we know you’re not making him up?” my mom asks.

Trixie chimes in. “Have you kissed him on the lips?”

My face heats. Again, I shouldn’t have brought this up. It seemed easier than talking about Ben, but now I’m not so sure. “A little,” I say.

“Oh dear.” They say this together.

“It was just a kiss. I wasn’t at work. It was a legit hook up.”

“When do we get to meet him?” Mom asks.

“About two weeks after never,” I say. “It’s not a thing. Either of you seeing anyone new?”

“Oh! Tell him about Jason!” Trixie says reaching out to tap my mom’s hand.

“That’s right!”

For the next twenty minutes I sit through a full description and comprehensive backstory of the new home health nurse—Jason—who saw a picture of me on the mantle and had questions.

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