Page 44 of Sassy Bennett Doesn't Do Romance

“Yeah,” I answer. “It’s just her and me now, so we’re pretty close.”

Sassy looks at me in question.

“My mum died a few years ago.” I rub the back of my neck, always hating this conversation. “I don’t have a dad. So it’s me and Becky.”

“That’s really tough,” Sassy says. She glances at the machine as her ball comes through, then back to me. “It’s funny. You don’t look like you’ve had a hard life. I wouldn’t have guessed that you’ve gone through that.”

I shrug. “I had a great childhood. I wish I could have Mum back, but I’m grateful for the time we had.”

If I didn’t know better, I’d swear there was a tear in Sassy’s eye as she picks up her ball and walks off to her lane. But I do know better. There’s no way in the world Sassy Bennett would get teary over someone else’s sob story.

She knocks the last pin down with ease and comes back over to me.

“You have a great outlook on life,” she says thoughtfully. “Your mum must have done a good job of raising you.”

“She did.” I smile, appreciating her words about my mum. “Then Becky took over until I left for uni.”

“Did Becky want you to stay with her?”

“Nah, I actually made my decision to move up here partially based on giving her a break. They kicked us out of our house the day after Mum’s funeral and we struggled with money. Me moving up here, onto campus, meant she could rent a studio flat for a lot less than a two-bedder. We talk on the phone and visit when we can, but we’re both happy living our lives.”

“What’s the story with your dad? Was he ever in the picture?”

A frown settles on my face, and I stand up to take my turn bowling.

“No.” I say, picking up my ball and taking aim. I swing my arm back and throw, relishing the sound of the ball hitting the ground hard and rolling until it knocks over eight pins. I glance at Sassy as I walk to the ball return. She’s sitting there patiently waiting for me to give her more information about my dad. The weird thing is, I want to give it to her. I’ve never spoken about him to anyone before, and now here I am, ready to share the sordid details with Sassy.

“He wasn’t in our lives when we were growing up. We didn’t even know his name. Mum raised us on her own and wouldn’t speak about him. Becky tracked him down recently. I don’t know why. As far as I’m concerned, he’s dead to us.”

“Did you meet him when she tracked him down?”

“Nope. Not sure I’ll ever bother. He’s an asshole.”

“Did he do something bad to your mum? Cheat on her or something?”

“Mhm,” I pick up my ball. “That’s an understatement.” I let fly again and curse when the ball only knocks down one pin, leaving one still standing. It was my second last turn, so there’s no catching Sassy’s score now. I take a seat, but Sassy makes no move to take her turn. She’s waiting for me to finish my story.

“He not only cheated on Mum, but he had a whole second family in another state. He was living a double life, and she had no idea. When she found out, he was history.”

“Whoa,” Sassy’s eyes are wide. “And what about the other kids? Have you met them?”

“There’s only a half-brother. Becky met that creep and the prick nearly killed her.”

“What?” Sassy gasps. “Are you serious?”

“It was accidental. But still. He’s doing jail time now.” I can’t believe I’ve shared all of this with Sassy. I don’t even talk to my mates about this stuff because I hate speaking about it. It still makes me feel sick when I think about how close I came to losing my sister.

“And here I assumed you were a good boy, with a perfect life.” Sassy is trying to lighten the mood. I appreciate it.

“Compared to him, I’m a fucking saint. But I can be wicked in other ways.” I nudge her with my elbow and give her a suggestive look.

“Meh, you’re pretty strait-laced in all the ways.” She mocks.

“Oh, come on! How many guys do you know would break into the dean’s office and get dirty on his desk?” I huff in pretend outrage, but when she raises an eyebrow at me, my façade drops. “Wait. Really. How many guys do you know would do that? Or have done it with you?”

Sassy waits a beat and then bursts out laughing, punching my arm lightly. “Only you, I swear. But you should’ve seen your face! It was like all of your dreams got crushed in one go.”

“They did!” I say, clutching my chest. “That’s my biggest claim to fame. Don’t take it away from me.”

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