“In all honesty, what else do you know about my life?” He met her eyes, his expression honest and open.
She shrugged. “Nothing, really.”
“It’s easy to assume that other people’s lives are easier than your own. But I am very familiar with standing up against the only life you’ve known.” He managed to sound kind, but she was sure that she had insulted him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume—”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll tell you.” He picked up his cup and sipped. “I’m the oldest of five children. I have three brothers and a sister. The man I considered my father when I was little isn’t, in fact, my father. My stepfather and my father almost killed each other once. That should be indicative of my stepfather’s feelings towards me, although he’d rather die than talk about feelings. He’s an awk
