"It's not something I talk about in my house, either!" Alfie said defensively, scowling and shoving his hands into his pockets, shoulders tense and defensive.
"Maybe you're just a little too interested, right?" Which, he realized a moment after he'd said it, he probably really shouldn't have said. And when he answered again it was fast and defensive, too, like he was trying to ward off another beating. "It just happened. We didn't mean it the first time."