Page 15 of Keeping Our Secrets

“No, that’s okay mom.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I don’t really need anything right now.”

“You could come with us just to get out of the house,” James added.

“I’ve got a book that I’ve been wanting to read, so I might just do that today.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

“What about you Liam? Do you want to go shopping with us?”

“I appreciate the offer Alana, but I’m good.”

“Okay. I just didn’t want you to feel left out.”

“I’m a little too old to go shopping with my parents,” Liam responded.

“You’re never too old to spend time with your parents,” my mom argued. “But I understand how you might think we’d cramp your style.”

I glanced back and forth between them, wondering where the conversation would lead.

“Don’t mind him, sweetheart. Liam and I haven’t gone shopping together since he got his license.”

Liam and I spent the rest of the meal mostly in silence as we listened to Mom and James.

“Wasn’t this nice?” my mom asked aloud.

Neither Liam nor I answered back, but James was quick to respond, “I think so, love. We should do this a couple times a week while both the kids are still at home.”

“We should,” she agreed. “What do you think kids?”

Kids? Yeah, we were still toddlers.

“I think that’s a great idea, Alana,” Liam finally answered. “It will give Mairi and a chance to get to know each other better.” Mom beamed at James, completely missing the predatory look from Liam. “Don’t you think so, sis?”

* * *

Later that afternoon, both of our parents had left the house to go shopping, when Liam cornered me in the kitchen.

“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were moving here.”

“I tried to tell you.”

“When?”

“So many times.”

“Hard to believe, considering you never answered my texts.”

“I didn’t get any of your texts.”

“Why not?”

“Probably because I blocked your number.”

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