Personal Demons 2 - Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers Read Free Book Online Page A

gestures to the tissue with a grin.
    I glare at him, holding the contaminated tissue by the corner at arm’s length. “Such as…?”
    His face draws wide in surprise. “I think I might have just lied.”
    â€œI knew you were no angel,” I say, chucking the tissue in the trash just as Mom calls up the stairs that dinner is ready. I shoot a grin over my shoulder, and Matt disappears as I pull the door open and head downstairs.
    I get to the kitchen just as the back door screen slams. I look up to see Grandpa.
    â€œGrandpa!” I squeal, and run over to hug him.
    â€œThere’s my girl,” he says as Maggie steps into the room, and I don’t miss the disappointment on her face. I’ve always been Grandpa’s favorite, since Matt and I started working on cars with him when we were little—not that we were much help back then. None of my sisters were ever interested in joining us in the garage, so since Matt died ten years ago, it’s just been Grandpa and me every Sunday after church. My midnight blue ’65 Mustang convertible was our last restoration project.
    â€œDid you get that Shelby?” I ask, dragging him to the table by the hand.
    â€œOn its way.” He pulls up a chair next to mine and sits.
    â€œIs it a total rebuild?”
    â€œYep. Pretty much a mess. Don’t know what I’m gonna do without ya when you go off to college.”
    â€œWell, don’t think about pulling that engine without our help.”
    â€œ Our help?”
    I cringe. “Luc was gonna meet us at your house after church.”
    â€œLuc wants in, huh?” he says, rubbing his balding head.
    I reach up and brush his gray fringe back into place. “If that’s okay…?”
    â€œNot sure I want to share my best mechanic.”
    My cringe deepens into a pleading grimace.
    He breaks into a deep belly laugh. “I can see it’s an all-or-nothin’ proposition.”
    â€œHe’s really good. You won’t regret it.”
    His blue eyes sparkle. “We’ll see.”
    Mom steps up behind him, wiping her hands on her apron and leaning down to kiss his cheek before settling in at her end of the table. She brushes a stray lock of sandy blond hair back into place before picking up Grandpa’s plate and serving the chicken.
    Watching her, I can’t help but think about how much she’s changed in the last few weeks. She seems so much more alive, like maybe she’s finally letting Matt go. There’s a little pang in my heart as I glance around the kitchen, knowing he’s here and wishing I could share him with her.
    She hands Grandpa a heaping plate of food. “Glad you could make it for dinner, Dad. I don’t think you’re eating as well as you should.”
    â€œI’m eatin’ just fine,” he says, laying his plate on the table and patting his roundish belly.
    Dad comes in from the family room as the rest of my sisters—all but Mary—find spots around the table. “Ooh. My favorite. Chicken and dumplings,” he says, tucking his napkin into his lap.
    Food is passed and everyone eats, but the Cavanaugh table is never a quiet one. Grace and Maggie fight over whose night it is to clean the kitchen while Dad gives Kate a hard time about her lack of a summer job this year. Everyone has something to say—all at the same time. Mom turns to me when there’s finally a lull in the conversation.
    â€œSo what are you all dressed up for?”
    I look down at my black silk tank and jeans. I wonder what it says about me that this is “dressed up.”
    â€œLuc and I are going out to the Gallaghers’ tonight with Taylor, Riley, and Trev.”
    â€œTrev? Riley’s still seeing Trevor?”
    I can’t help cracking a smile. “Yep, hot and heavy.”
    â€œAnd Taylor’s okay about Riley with her little brother?”
    â€œGetting there.” That’s actually a