Read Online The Secret of Strange Waters (The Light Keeper Series Book 2) by Kelly Hall - Free Book Online

was weirder when that someone was her secret boyfriend.
    “I’m not going to Homecoming.” I picked at my food with my fork, wishing she would change the subject.
    Talon smirked. “What if someone asks you?” he said. He was enjoying this.
    “Highly unlikely,” I retorted. And it was true. Everyone knew he and I were together, except Mom, who pressed on.
    “Come on Lily, you’re beautiful! There has to be someone planning to ask you. Right, Talon?” She piled the sour cream on her nachos.
    He chuckled, totally enjoying my discomfort. “I bet there are quite a few who‘d love to take you.”
    “Okay, that’s enough about me. So what about you, Talon? Who are you going to ask?” I turned the awkwardness on him to watch him squirm. But he didn’t. He was as cool as ever.
    “I do have this one girl in mind actually, but she’s kind of intimidating,” he said.
    “Is she pretty?” Mom asked with a singsong tone.
    “Oh, without a doubt the most gorgeous girl in school—next to Lily, of course,” he reassured Mom. “But she’ll probably turn me down.” He tried to poke his lip out in feigned disappointment, but cracked a smile as he looked my way. Mom didn’t notice. She was too busy scooping beans onto her chip.
    “That’s nonsense,” she said with a scolding tone. “Any girl would be lucky to have you on her arm.” I only wished she wouldn’t mind if that girl was me.
    We finished our food and headed home. Mom didn’t feel well, so she went straight to bed once we got there. It was no wonder; she stuffed her face like she hadn’t eaten in days.
    Talon and I watched TV on the sofa. He was kicked back in the recliner on the end, and I lay next to him with my head on a throw pillow. He stroked my hair till I was almost asleep. During a commercial break I sat up and tried to stay awake. He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me. His lips made their way to my neck, and I tilted my head to the side and giggled.
    That’s when I saw her. Standing in the darkened kitchen, mouth gaping and eyes wide. She had caught us, and there was no denying anything now.
    “Lily!” she screamed. I froze as she put her hand over her mouth and ran to the bathroom.
    I figured it would be a shock if she ever found out, but I didn’t think it would be so repulsive that she would feel the need to puke.
    I jumped up to run after her, but she slammed her bathroom door before I even hit the kitchen. I turned to look at Talon, who sat on the couch with his head in his hands. “I’m sorry, Lily,” he said. For exactly which part, I wasn’t sure.
    I ran to the bathroom door and could hear Mom being sick on the other side. “I’m sorry,” I yelled through the door. “Are you all right?”
    “No! I’m not,” she said with a strained voice. She coughed again. I heard the faucet come on, and then Mom was gargling and spitting. “I can’t believe this, Lily! How long has this been going on?” I was glad I couldn’t see her face. I had pictured this happening many times, and it was never anything like this.
    I felt tiny, like her little girl. The tone she used was one I haven’t heard since I was much younger. “June,” I answered.
    Mom swung the door open. “The whole time?” she asked. I nodded. Then a suspicious look came across her face. “Has he touched you?” Her accusation made my stomach clench.
    “No, it’s not like that! Don‘t go there, please!” The conversation was nauseating me .
    “It’s like something ! I saw you just now!” She sat on her bed. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Her faint voice cracked. I wasn’t sure what hurt her more: me being with Talon, or keeping it from her.
    “We were going to. We weren’t sure how y’all would take it and we didn’t want to cause any problems.”
    “ He’s gonna tell Tom, not me!” She threw a hand to her head as if it was pounding. “Talon,” she called. He walked in from around the corner, where he‘d been listening.
    “I heard. I’ll