Free Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook Page A

something about what people thought. You had to know someone was going to say something.”
    Nathaniel banged a pot down on the counter. “Right. Hey, Isobel, welcome to the family. By the way, you should know most people at school think I killed my mom and sister. Turns out, when they died, I didn’t think to have an alibi set up. Of course neither did my dad, and he has motivation, too, because he got the life insurance payout. Sure, it could have been an accident, but that doesn’t give people much to talk about, does it? Don’t let that bother you, though, just make yourself at home. Have a nice day at school.” Nathaniel pulled another pan out of the dishwasher and practically tossed it into the cabinet. “For some reason, I’m guessing that wouldn’t have been a great opener.”
    He had a point, but still. “You could have found another way to say it.”
    He turned his back to me and continued to put the dishes away. “Maybe I’m a lousy communicator, but I couldn’t think of a great way to drop that kind of news.” There was an unmistakable edge to his voice.
    I leaned against the counter and watched him. “I guess not,”I agreed, hoping I hadn’t ruined everything by acting so jumpy. One thing I was sure of, I didn’t want to lose the rapport we’d started building. “If it’ll make you feel better, I could tell you something embarrassing about my family,” I offered.
    He paused, as if weighing his response carefully. “You aren’t going to sing again or anything, are you? I’ve already had enough trauma in my life.” This time, his tone was light.
    I swatted him with one of the kitchen towels. “I’m being serious. I’m trying to even the score.”
    â€œOkay.” Nathaniel jumped up so he was sitting on the wooden butcher-block counter. “Spill it.”
    Suddenly I felt nauseated. What had I been thinking when I’d opened my mouth? I only had one really big family secret, but other than Anita, I’d never told anyone about my dad. It would have been easier to tell someone that my dad had leprosy or was a terrorist than that he had a mental illness. It was just a small step from someone knowing about my dad’s condition to their wondering just how much like my dad I might be. I didn’t need anyone, Nathaniel especially, thinking I was crazy.
    â€œForget it.”
    â€œForget it? You promised me a story of humiliation. What happened to evening the score?”
    â€œI decided I don’t want to.” I grabbed my backpack and went to turn around. Nathaniel jumped down and grabbed my elbow.
    â€œHang on.” He stepped in front of me to block my path. “You can’t just decide not to.”
    â€œOf course I can. Look at that, I just did.” I tried to keep my voice casual, but my heart was beating hard and fast. I tried to step around him, but instead of letting me pass, he lowered his head to stare into my eyes.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, are you afraid?”
    I refused to look away or blink, lest he take it as a sign of weakness and pounce. “Maybe I don’t feel like telling you my secrets. It’s not like you told me yours. Nicole did.”
    â€œDon’t be pissed at me. You brought the whole thing up.”
    â€œAnd now I’m dropping it.”
    â€œYou’re afraid,” he said, crossing his arms.
    â€œNo, I’m not.”
    â€œYes, you are. You can say what you want; I know I didn’t kill anyone. I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. Clearly, you’ve got some issues, though.”
    â€œI’m not ashamed of anything.”
    Nathaniel raised one eyebrow. “Sure.”
    â€œI’m not.” I pressed my lips together. This is why I never missed having siblings. I’d had a stepbrother for less than a week and we were already fighting. It was just a matter of time until someone told us