Page 31 (1/2)

“I was getting the feeling that you weren’t sold on it”

“Eh”

He narrows his eyes as if he’s deciding whether to poke at me about this or not

My brain wars over how honest to be with hiether, but he’ll also be working with randfather on this project That means that Wade isn’t my friend He’s not automatically on my side

“My grandfather and I …” I sigh, reaching for the words “I just o”

Wade lifts a brow It’s clear he didn’t expect this bit of information

“My biological father was his only son,” I say “I never knew him”

“I’m sorry That must’ve been difficult”

“It’s not difficult when it’s all you know”

Our pace slows and turns more into a meander The rhythm settles my nerves with its consistency and ease

“I hate tomy words slowly “I’ve hated him, loved him, idolized a version of him that I completely made up in my head My mom said that he ca”

Wade ss hard “I don’t mean to pry and you can absolutely tell me to fuck off and I won’t be offended But your father was a Bowery He had ertips”

The thought feels unfinished and, when I look at Wade, it confir me with a hesitation that I’ve never been able to escape about my past

“I guess he did” I kick at a rock on the ground as alk “I know the story my mom told me and I believe it I believe her But I’m sure that if he were around, he’d have another version or at the very least his side of the story So, as far as I knohat I’ve always been told, is that he wanted no part of having a child And round, would’ve huranddad”

Wade’s brows pull together into a furrowed line His jaw sets

“Monant—he left He didn’t want children, least of all by a woman with debt up to her eyeballs and no obvious way out,” I say sadly “He thought she was digging her claws in for his money”

We stop next to a pile of sticks They’re on top of one another in a triangular shape Wade inspects them as if his life depends on it