Page 50 of Risks

I snort. “No. It’s a promise ring. Hegave it to me last Christmas.”

“Varen seems like a pretty goodguy.” He pauses a moment. “You know, Lisa and I were serious back then. Iwanted to marry her.”

I scoff and purse my lips a little.

Jesiah squints his russet eyes whileeasing back in the chair. “My god. You look so much like her, especially with thatexpression.”

I scrunch up my face. “Whatexpression?”

He sputters a short laugh. “The onethat says I’m full of crap.”

I giggle softly and toy with myutensils. “Um, what was she like back then?”

Lowering his head, he takes a fewbeats before speaking. “Funny. Sweet. Encouraging. We weren’t going to followeach other to college. She had her plans, too. We wanted to give long-distancea shot and marry after.”

“Things changed when she becamepregnant,” I mutter.

“Yeah.” He lifts his gaze to meetmine. “You know, despite her lie, I’m still curious about how she’s been allthese years. She happy with Varen’s old man?”

“They were happy in love until thetruth came out.” I clasp my hands on the table. “Do you think it’s weird thatI’m dating my stepbrother?”

He sniffs. “I know of a guy thatmarried his stepsister. It’s not that big a deal. Either way, it’s not my placeto speak on your relationship.”

Detecting the hurt in his words, my stomachsinks, and my anger strengthens towards the woman responsible. “My mom didn’tgive you the chance.”

We fall quiet, breaking out of itwhen the waitress brings our orders.

I sip my hot chocolate before tellingJesiah, “Mom fell down the stairs at our apartment a few days ago.”

His head snaps up from the plate,eyes wide. “Christ. Is she okay?” Genuine concern shines in his features.

I shrug a shoulder. “A concussion, bruises,and a sprained wrist. I haven’t gone to see her since.”

“Why not?” he rasps, perplexed.

“Whynot?” I repeat. “Becauseof this.” I gesture between us with my hand. “Because this is only happeningnow. Because I call you Jesiah instead of Dad. That’s why.”

Understanding veils his appearance.He slumps back in the chair and runs his hand over his low hair. “I’ve come upwith many excuses for why she did that. Nothing justifies it. She hasn’t evenattempted to reach out to apologize.”

“She told me she didn’t want you tochange your plans,” I repeat Mom’s words. “Said you would have given up yourdreams.”

“She’s right. She still shouldn’thave lied.”

I take a second before I ask him,“Were you relieved when she told you she had an abortion? Even a little?”

The brief twitch of his eyes answersme first. “No, Latoya.”

“You can be straight with me. A kidis a lot. You had plans, as you said.”

“Latoya…” He drops his gaze to themug. “Are you looking for a reason to shun me?” He looks up again.

“No.” My shoulders droop as a heavyfeeling crashes over my body. “It’s more like a part of me needs a reason tolet up on my mom.”

He sighs. “I’m sure yourrelationship will recover in time. I see it in your eyes, and Lisa raised you.No way you’ll push her away forever.”

“Maybe not. It’s definitely hard to bearound her right now, though.”

A quiet air settles among us,leaving the sounds of other diners.

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