“And you’ll spend it up here alone if you don’t stop talking to me in that tone.”

“Unbelievable. Fine. Ruin everything. Like you always do.” Lily scowled, wrapping her arms around her knees and murmuring something under her breath that made Ellen snort.

“Can I talk to you downstairs?” I asked. “Now.”

She stomped down the attic stairs and followed me into my bedroom. I closed the door and turned. “How dare you talk to me like that? Anytime, but especially in front of your friend. I’ve been pretty lenient with you, but I’m tired of it. I’m your mother.”

As soon as I said those words, I flinched. I’m your mother. Lily’s eyes narrowed, and I half expected her to scream, No you’re not. That whoever had sent that baby shower invitation had already gotten to her.

But she lifted her chin. “You treat me like a baby. Everyone sees it, even Adam.”

“I’ll treat you with respect when you act like you deserve it.”

She clenched and unclenched her fists, out of breath like she’d been running.

I wanted to hug her, but I was frozen. Greg’s words whispered in my ear. Tell her, before someone else does.

“Lily, I—”

“Lily?” Ellen’s voice from the attic, echoing against the walls.

Lily reacted quickly, lunging for the doorknob. “I’ve got to go. Don’t worry about us. We’ll, like, do our nails and talk about boys all night, just like you want.”

And she was gone, before I could say anything at all.

That’s when my cell phone buzzed.

Downstairs, Adam was flipping through the TV channels. Michael Myers seemed to be murdering people on every station. I could almost relate to him.

“Ready to watch a movie?” Adam asked, a bag of candy corn in his lap. I married a man who liked candy corn?

“I can’t, Adam. Kendra just texted me.”

I stared at the message I’d gotten after Lily had left me in the bedroom.

Busy? Need you to meet us at Alice’s. Bonfire meeting.

I’d texted her back: I don’t know if I can. I’ve got Ellen sleeping over.

And then her response, almost immediately, like she’d been waiting: It’s important.

“Party emergency?” He smirked, but then saw my face and dropped it.

“I don’t know.” I sank down on the couch next to him. I wasn’t sure I could handle a crisis with Kendra right now on top of everything else.

Adam kissed my head. “Well, maybe it won’t take long.”

“Maybe. Lily’s pissed off at me. Keep an eye on them, okay?”

“Always.”

I left to get ready, my nerves at high peak. I felt like I was going to throw up. Lily’s attitude. The note. My lies to the Ivies. The party tomorrow.