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I lived in a constant state of guilt and confusion over the emotions.

On one hand, I agreed with my parents and appreciated how they protected her. On the other, I felt bad for my sister.

And it was definitely not a shock to me that she rebelled against them and me, sneaking around and lying, and then when she was old enough and went off to college, completely went wild.

Lydia: Don’t tell me that you weren’t aware that you’re in love with this girl.

I can give my sister this much. We’ve always had a complicated relationship, and most recently it’s been strained to say the least. If helping me buy twinkle lights, coming down to watch and learn about bonkers hockey, and getting involved with my love life can bring us closer together, then I’m in.

Besides, she’s not wrong.

Lawson: I kind of had an inkling.

Lydia: *heart eyes emoji* *celebratory confetti emoji* *head exploding emoji* I was coming to Rebel anyway, but now nothing could keep me away.

Lawson: Can’t wait to see you. And thanks again for your help.

Lydia: Just let me know when you’re ready to go engagement ring shopping.

My heart thumps hard in my chest again, and I send back the only thing that I can: a thumbs-up and a heart.

Sutton is still huddled with her friends near the food table.

Yes, there is a food table.

And yes, this is simply a dance practice.

But, as happens so often in Rebel, it has quickly gotten out of hand.

I don’t normally feel so thrilled about that. In this case, though, I love everything about it.

Nora has already insisted on changing Sutton’s Parks and Rec schedule so that three times a week she can be done at four, so she can head to the barn to teach her dance lessons.

Andi is apparently filling in for Sutton for any activities that happen during the times she’s teaching her lessons.

Andi is an artist who sells her pieces, takes commissions for various projects, and does graphics work for the Parks and Rec department. But she is mostly living off the alimony her ex-husband pays her. And he is evidently incredibly good at investing.

I already liked Nora Delaune and Anderson Fleury, but the way they have responded to Sutton’s new dance studio has moved them very far up my list of favorite people.

But Nora and Andi aren’t Sutton’s only friends who are in attendance tonight. Astrid, Everly, and Quinn are all here, insisting they need to take line dancing classes to be ready for the barn party. They’ve already handed over the class fee despite Sutton trying to refuse.

She finally met my gaze, and the look I gave her made her smile and accept their money with thanks.

The same went for the ten seventy-something-year-olds as well as all the hockey players.

Once they found out what was going on with Sutton, they insisted on coming to learn the dances as well.

Sutton actually teared up when she saw them all walk in.

“Well, you’ll probably want some chairs and tables sitting around if there’s going to be food,” Nora says as I approached the little group. “I figure for the first barn party we can do like we did tonight and just have everyone bring something.”

In typical Nora fashion, everyone who showed up brought something for the snack table, and it is laden with everything from potato chips to finger sandwiches to a huge jug of lemonade to cookies of all kinds.

The hockey players are the only ones who showed up empty-handed since no one knew they were coming, but they have definitely helped clear the platters and plates.

“But you don’t want too many tables and chairs,” Astrid says. “Most of this space needs to be clear for dancing.”

Sutton nods at both of them, saying nothing.