Page 28 of Sparks Fly

“RuPaul’s Drag Race,” I admitted while watching her face carefully for any hint of judgment.

Sawyer’s eyes lit up immediately. “No way.”

“I’m obsessed,” I said, suddenly a little shy. “Every season.”

“I love Drag Race,” Sawyer said, and the certainty in her voice stopped me.

I stared at her. “Seriously?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” she asked like the idea of not loving it was the strange part.

I laughed and set my taco down before shaking my head. “I guess I still think in stereotypes sometimes,” I admitted, then swallowed when the honesty kept coming. “I’ve spent so long trying to fit into one that I forget how to see past them.”

Sawyer’s expression softened. “Your brother told me about that today.”

“He did?” My chest tightened.

She nodded and reached for another taco. “He said you were good at playing the part, even when it wasn’t what you wanted.”

Emotion caught in my throat. “He said that?”

“He said you did it to make things easier after he came out.”

I tightened my fingers around my beer bottle. “He’s not wrong. I wanted to protect him.”

“You’re a good sister,” Sawyer said, like it was a fact.

“He’s a great brother.”

“You two are close, huh?” she asked.

“Yeah. After he came out, we became our own little team.” I said.

“Your parents sound like—a lot.”

“That’s putting it mildly.” I laughed. “My mom needs everything to look perfect from the outside. A bisexual daughter doesn’t fit into that picture when her oldest child is already trans. One queer kid is more than enough for her.”

Sawyer frowned. “But that isn’t fair to you. Hiding who you are just to keep her happy.”

“No, it isn’t.” I looked down at my bottle. “I did it for so long that I stopped thinking about it. It became muscle memory. But now, I think I want to start doing more things for myself.”

“I like that.” Sawyer raised her beer.

I clinked mine against it, and she smiled. It was quiet for a few minutes as we ate.

“How old are you?” she asked.

I almost laughed. We’d talked about so much, and yet we didn’t know how old each other was?

“Thirty-two.”

“Thirty-eight.” She told me without me having to ask.

I leaned into the moment. “Good. I like older women.” I smirked.

“I like you.” Sawyer said easily.

It made my pulse jump. “I like you too.” I said honestly.