We head to Baker Oaks, the silence in the car growing louder with each passing second. I feel like I’m going to explode. I have so many questions, and I can’t seem to get any of them out of my mouth. I don’t want to look at either of them without answers, but I’m also terrified to learn anything else.
Holden coaches Bella?
Bella goes by Izzy?
Holden knows my kid?
“Sooo, is anyone going to talk about the elephant in the car?” Bella asks, a sassy intonation on her last word.
“What elephant?”
“Mm, the one where you’re dating my hockey coach?”
“I’m not dating your hockey coach. I didn’t know you had a hockey coach. I guess I did know, but I didn’t think it would be him. Why didn’t you tell me you coached hockey?” I ask Holden.
“It never came up. We’ve talked about so many things and besides. You said your kid was Bella. That’s Izzy.”
Now Bella is the one flinching.
“Explain. We don’t lie in this family.”
She lets out a breath. “It’s not a lie.”
“Well, that’s not your name.”
“It kinda is. I-I’ve been going by Izzy around my friends.”
“Since when?”
“Um. The past year?”
“Why?”
“Do we really have to do this now?”
No.
“Yes.” I shake my head. “No, not really, if you’re not comfortable. I’m just very confused.”
“Yeah, tell me about it. You’re dating my coach.”
“I’m not dating your coach, Bella.”
“Is this the same Holden who fixed the swing and the porch?”
“Uh.” My mouth is open wide, and Holden, who’s quietly listening to our spiraling conversation, smirks and mouths,busted.
“And who sent us dinner?”
When I don’t reply, she continues. “Is he the reason you’ve been smiling more lately and, like, dancing slowly in the kitchen when you cook?”
How many shades of red are there? Because I’m positive I turned all of them, at once, all together, all over the place.
Holden looks my way, questioning the truth behind her words with the lift of an eyebrow, but I avert my gaze immediately.
This is too much.
“Fine. Don’t tell me, but don’t give me thewe don’t liebullshit when you’re lying to me.”
