Ryan denied everything.
Until charges appeared.
That was the end.
Jake told him he had to leave.
Megan agreed.
Or at least, Jake believed she had.
As far as I knew, Megan hadn’t spoken to Ryan in years.
“You’ve been seeing Ryan?”
Megan lowered her voice. “He’s sober.”
Jake looked away. “My goodness.”
“He finished rehab.”
“When?”
“A few months ago.”
“A few months?”
Megan started talking quickly.
“He reached out after he got out. He said he wanted to make things right.”
“And you answered him.”
“Yes.”
“Without telling me.”
“I knew how you’d react.”
Jake laughed bitterly. “You’re looking at it.”
My mother quietly led everyone else toward the lobby.
I stayed. Mostly because I was already a part of this drama.
Also because, at that point, I wanted to hear every answer too.
I asked, “Why did you call him your husband?”
Megan looked embarrassed. “I didn’t really.”
The waitress said, “You said, ‘This is my husband.'”
Megan sighed. “It was stupid.”
“Very.”
She looked at me. “I didn’t want anyone asking questions.”
“You’re in a restaurant. Why would the waitress ask if he’s your brother?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why lie?”
Megan rubbed her forehead. “Because I’ve been paranoid.”
