Page 15 of Reckless
I committed.“Yes.”
I didn’t look away from Kelly when I said it.
I had started this.I knew enough to finish the sentence.
“We were going to tell you,” I added, “when it stopped being everyone’s entertainment.”
Charlie made a strangled noise.
Hope put a hand over her mouth.
Miley muttered, “Oh my God.”
Britney’s stare could have cut steel.
My mother’s hand slid off Kelly’s shoulder.
Very slowly, Kelly set her tea glass down.
Then she smiled.It was a beautiful smile.It meant I was one breath away from death.
“Well,” she said lightly, and if I hadn’t been looking straight at her, I might have believed she wasn’t furious.“That is one way to announce things.”
I kept my face still.
Charlie looked between us like this was the best thing that had ever happened to him.“Since when?”
“Charlie,” my mother snapped, though not with nearly enough force for my liking.
“What?”he asked.“I’m happy.I love romance.”
“You love chaos,” Jeff said.
“Same difference.”
My mother took her seat again, eyes bright now.
“Why keep it quiet?”she asked.
“Because,” I said, before Kelly could be made to answer that in public, “not everything requires a family meeting.”
Michael’s mouth twitched.
Britney didn’t soften.
Kelly still hadn’t blinked.
I could practically feel the heat coming off her from across the table.
My father finally spoke.“How long?”
There was no point looking at Kelly for help now.That would read as what it was.
I gave him the first answer that felt plausible.“A few weeks.”
“A few weeks,” Charlie repeated.“And you said nothing?”
I looked at him.“You say many things.We all endure them.”
