Chapter 4

“Very,” Nelson says and nods.

Grampa lets out a sputtering sigh. “I don’t understand people.” He stands, fetches the coffeepot, and divides the leftovers equally between us, his mouth set in a grim line.

Nelson looks at me, a curious tilt to his head.

“My parents didn’t want me,” I explain. I don’t have a problem with telling my story even to a perfect stranger. I never had.

“What do you mean?”

Grampa huffs. “My useless son got a girl pregnant because, apparently, neither of them had ever heard of condoms.”

“That earned me a lengthy and detailed sex ed talk when I was twelve.” I grin, trying to lighten the somber mood.

“At least I don’t have to worry about yougetting someone pregnant.”

“Nope.” I grin again and shake my head so vigorously, my curls fly everywhere, and a strand gets stuck on my lip. I brush it away, and Nelson’s gaze zeroes in on my mouth. His eyelids are heavy, his interest evident. I shiver as tingles race all the way from the base of my neck down to my toes.