The Secret of You and Me - Melissa Lenhardt Page 0,114
we slow down for a minute? I’m out of breath.”
He led me around the floor smoothly, but the tension in his shoulders didn’t lessen.
“What’s the matter? Are you angry? I think the party’s a success so far.”
His jaw snapped open. “Have you seen Nora behind my back?”
I almost deflected, answered him with a question. It was second nature to me to lie about who I was. But, no longer. “Yes.”
Charlie led me off the dance floor and out the back door by the stage. He pulled me along until we were a good ways off from the barn. He swung me around and released me. “Are you trying to destroy our family?”
“Calm down, Charlie.”
“Calm down?” His voice dropped to a growl. “You’ve been sneaking around with your lesbian lover in our hometown. Where anyone could see you.”
“We’ve been careful.”
“Oh, well, that makes the fact my wife is cheating on me all better.”
“Fuck you. You’ve been cheating on me for years.”
“Not with a man.”
“Is that why you’re so angry? Because it’s a woman? Does that somehow emasculate you more than if it was a man? Or is it because it’s Nora?”
Charlie moved toward me and stuck his finger in my face. “Stop seeing her.”
“No.”
“Sophie, so help me God.”
“You know what? Fuck this. I’m done.”
Charlie grabbed my arm as I tried to push past. “What do you mean, you’re done?”
“I’m leaving you. I won’t come out, so Logan won’t get ridiculed, and for you to save face. But, once Logan goes to college, I’m leaving town to be with Nora.”
“You owe me more than that.”
“If you weren’t such a shit about everything, then I would gladly pretend a while longer, help you with the election. But, you’ve been nothing but hateful and threatening since you found out. I’m not going to live like that.”
“You’re the most selfish person I know.”
“Me? Do you think living a lie for eighteen years has been selfish? I did it for Logan because I thought it would be best for her. I did it because I felt guilty that I didn’t love you more. I wanted to feel something, but it wasn’t in me.”
“I’m going to turn her against you.”
“And how is that different from what you’ve been doing for years?”
He smirked. “Logan worships the ground I walk on. It won’t take much for her to see you for the selfish bitch you are.”
“Dad?”
Charlie and I turned toward Logan’s voice. We’d been so busy arguing we hadn’t heard or seen Logan follow. Her eyes were wide with an expression of horror.
“Logan,” Charlie said. “Honey. What are you doing out here?”
“Avery sent me to find you. It’s time for the cake.”
“What cake?” I asked.
“For your birthday.” Logan kept her eyes on her father as she answered. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
“Oh, how sweet.” I moved forward and put my arm around Logan’s shoulders to direct her back into the dance hall. “I’ll act surprised.” But, Logan wouldn’t move.
“Dad, what were you saying?”
“Nothing.” He turned on his charming smile. “Your mom and I were talking about election stuff. Come on. Let’s cut some cake.”
Logan pushed away from us and stepped back. “Would everyone please stop lying to me? I want to know what’s going on.”
“Logan, now isn’t the time,” Charlie started.
“I’m leaving your father,” I said.
“Sophie,” Charlie warned.
I kept my focus on Logan. “Don’t worry. I won’t come out until after you leave for college. But, I think staying will make for a miserable home life. I don’t want that for you. Or us.”
“Why would you try to turn me against Mom?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I heard you.”
“Logan, it’s complicated...”
“No, it’s not. People get divorced all the time. Big fucking deal. Why would you want to turn me against my mother?”
Charlie clenched his jaw and nodded briskly. “Thanks for this, Sophie.”
“Me?”
“If you hadn’t been fucking that cunt—” he pointed toward the back door where Nora stood holding a beer “—none of this would have happened.”
“Oh my God, Dad,” Logan said. “What is wrong with you?”
“I’m watching my future go up in flames, that’s what’s wrong with me.” Charlie strode off toward the dance hall. Nora stepped out of his way. He leaned in and said something to her as he passed.
“I’m so sorry you had to hear that, sweetie.”
“I can’t believe you were right.” Logan’s voice cracked.
“And I hate it. I do. I wanted to be wrong, for your sake.”
“That’s fucked up.”
“Logan, when all of this is over, we need to have a conversation about your language.”