Page 72 of Justified Lies

“Well, that was easy.” Gabe smiled.

In the past twenty-four hours, he had traveled thousands of miles to see his dysfunctional family, watched the woman he loved flee a knife-wielding psycho, and was stabbed. Somehow, despite all of that, he was happier in this moment than he had ever been.

“I could get used to this,” he said, turning back to the task at hand. Gabe heard the island stool being pulled out, as Lianna finally took his advice and sat down.

****

Lianna couldn’t believe it was only 8:00. Gabe had cooked them spaghetti but allowed her to clean up after she caught him wincing in pain. Adamant that he was feeling fine, he handled the task of getting the boys into bed.

Coming down the stairs after settling Annie, she found Gabe finally resting on the couch, his bare feet up, watchingSports Center. Lianna’s stomach did a gymnastics routine at thesight of him in her space. She could envision this being their norm too easily and that terrified her.

When she first saw him tonight, standing in the doorway, wet from the rain but in one piece, a relief she had never experienced shot through her. She had spent most of the afternoon nauseated from worrying about his safety. The plan to remain friends would never work. She loved him too much.

Gabe flicked off the TV and turned gingerly so his feet were on the ground. Then he patted the sofa cushion and gestured for her to sit next to him. She did, choosing the exact spot he patted. Turning her body so she could face him, she hugged a pillow to her chest.

Gabe leaned over and without a word pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. A strand of her hair caught on his beard briefly before he pulled back. She heard him draw in a deep breath as he linked their fingers.

“Jacob’s mom’s name is Megan.”

The moment the words processed, Lianna stiffened. They were finally doing this. Gabe tightened his grip on her hand. Then, sinking further into the couch, he rested his head against the back. Gazing at the ceiling, he went on.

“I went to see them yesterday, her and my parents, in Saskatchewan.”

Lianna already knew that part and she started to sweat waiting for the next words to come out, the words telling her that while they had a connection, he was going to become a family with Megan.

“It’s a long story, I don’t even know where to begin,” he said, shaking his head and closing his eyes.

Lianna couldn’t take it.

“Gabe, you don’t owe me an explanation. You have to do what’s best for Jacob, and yourself.”

Opening his eyes, he turned and looked at her then, his head still thrown back against the couch. Without responding, he studied her, so she felt compelled to go on.

“I figured you’d get back together; it was only a matter of time and…”

“Whoa.”

Now Gabe was sitting up, his face twisted. Lianna suddenly felt silly.

“You know, you and Megan...”

“Megan’s my sister. Shit, I guess I should have started there.”

“What?”

“I’m not Jacob’s real dad. Screw that, I am his real dad. But I’m not his biological father. I never even planned for him to call me dad.”

“Oh,” was all Lianna could muster as her brain struggled to comprehend everything.

“When Megan was younger, she was troubled. My entire family was troubled, including me. But Megan couldn’t stay away from bad things—drugs, alcohol, or the guy variety. I’m not even sure she knows with certainty who Jacob’s father is.”

He squeezed her hand even tighter.

“I got a call one day, she had just received her sentence,” he cleared his throat, “for involuntary manslaughter.”

Lianna willed her eyes to not pop out of her head.

“Long story very short, the drug dealer she was dating, most likely Jacob’s father, killed a pharmacist during a robbery. It was an accident, but instead of calling for help, Megan took the time to snag the victim’s wallet while he bled out. She used his money for her next hit and was high as a kite when the cops caught up with them the next day.”

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