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“I know, but look at it this way Maybe you can beat Ruth to the altar. She’s in no hurry,” Mandy said with a laugh at her friend. She was no longer Mia’s anymore.
“Yeah, at least I beat Ruth,” she admitted on a sigh.
“Couldbeat,” Mandy corrected.
“Yeah, that’s what I meant,” Mia said quickly. Only then realizing her mistake.
Mandy slid off the table and turned to Mia, and demanded, “You’re not telling me something.”
“Mandy, we have no secrets.”
“You know everyone’s secrets. Spill.”
“You were pregnant.”
“Nope.
“Natalie has a secret mom.”
“No.”
“Hazel had sex with Ruston at a party over the summer.”
Mandy’s eyes went wide in surprise. “Last summer. Really?”
So maybe not everyone in the group knew that one already. “Yes.”
“What’s Ruth’s secret?” Mandy whispered and looked around the room, as if someone else was there.
“I can’t tell you.” She shook her head.
“I won’t say, ever.” Mandy made an X over her heart with a finger.
“Rafferty and her share a father. Howard Brooks is Ruth’s dad also,” she said and felt a weight lift off her chest. One she hadn’t even known was there.
“What?” Mandy whispered even louder.
Mia put her hand over Mandy’s mouth. “You can’t tell anyone ever. Ruth blames Rafferty for Howard treating her bad.”
“How long have you known?” Mandy pulled off the hand and asked.
Mia shrugged. “Since Howard died.”
“Is that what you two are fighting about? You and Ruth?” Mandy asked, and Mia realized that maybe some in the group noticed the tension. But wondered why nobody said anything about it?
“Yes. I just want her to be nicer to Rafferty. But she can’t forgive him for something he can’t change.” She knew she was about to cry.
Mandy hugged her to her. “How long have you and Rafferty been a thing?”
“On and off since New Year’s, maybe before,” she said into her cousin’s shoulder, hating how much Mandy was helping her by just talking to her. Mia should be able to handle it on her own.
“Maybe before?” Mandy questioned, patting her back.
Not pulling away, she admitted, “Well, sometimes the entire year before, we would hook up for sex when drunk.”
Chuckling, Mandy pushed her away so that she could look into her eyes. “And you never said?”
Smirking, she asked, “Would you admit that? I don’t even remember most of it.”
