“I know. This is actually what I always wanted. I needed to get out of Snow Creek.”
Raine grew up here like I did. She’s several years younger than I am, but she didn’t come out until a few years ago. I was her first real relationship, which is probably a big part of why she couldn’t accept the fact that I like both women and men.
Snow Creek is a small town, and our LGBTQ population is tiny. In Denver, she won’t have any problem meeting another lesbian. This was a good move for her.
“So… You and Brock Steel…”
Interesting. I figured we had laid that subject to rest.
“Like I said, we’re not serious.”
“You think it could get serious?”
I hope so.
I might be carrying his child.
The words hover in the back of my throat.
But I don’t say them.
“I wouldn’t mind,” I say. “He’s more than just a womanizer. He’s actually a really good guy.”
“All the Steels are pretty good people,” she says.
Interesting perspective for her, and it makes me think… “Hey, I have a question for you.”
“Yeah?”
“Did you know that the Steel family had a lien on the salon building here in town?”
“Yeah, I think I recall something like that on the paperwork when I bought it.”
“And you didn’t think anything of it?”
“My dad was helping me with all of that,” she says. “I figured if he didn’t mind, I didn’t mind.”
“Oh.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.”
“How did you even know that?”
“Callie and Donny have been doing some research.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Steel family stuff, I guess.”
She seems to buy my response, thank God. I may have just said something I shouldn’t have.
Sadie brings the lasagna, and Raine digs in.
Which means we don’t have to talk.
And that’s fine with me.