Dinner that evening was awkward. Emily and June chatted away without a care in the world, but Mick was unusually quiet, though he was monosyllabic at the best of times. The fact he looked embarrassed hurt. I'd lied to the face of my best friend to protect the woman I loved, but also myself. There was nothing else I could have done. If I'd admitted to sleeping with my niece, what would his reaction have been? I figured fists thrown, threats levied, and my name quickly spread across the community and beyond as some sort of creep.

June kissed my cheeks as always beyond leaving. Mick met my eyes, and...