Page 73 of Justified Lies

“Holy crap.” It wasn’t a very sophisticated response, but it was all she had.

“Yeah,” Gabe agreed. “Plus, it was at least strike three for her so…” He shrugged.

“Anyway, I get called to the prison for a meeting with her and the court appointed slouch, and she tells me she’s pregnant. Doesn’t know for sure who the dad is, doesn’t want to give it to our parents who, at the time, had their own mountain of issues. Doesn’t want to give the baby to strangers. So that leaves me.

I was terrified, I didn’t want the kid. I was single, had zero responsibility other than getting to football practice on time every day. But I owed Meg. I mean, I’m her big brother and I should have kept her from getting into this mess in the first place. Maybe if I had been around…”

Lianna’s heart broke for Gabe. She could tell he’d had this internal argument with himself before, probably too many times to count.

“So that’s how I became a dad. Sweet story, huh?” he said sarcastically. “Jacob doesn’t know everything obviously. I’ll tell him once he’s old enough to process it. The last thing I want is him or anyone finding out before I have a decent way to explain where he came from. I learned firsthand that people judge you because of your parents’ mistakes.”

Lianna let Gabe talk without interrupting for as long as she could but couldn’t help herself any longer. Placing her free hand on top of the one he was already holding, she willed him to meet her stare.

“I can’t imagine being put in your situation. Thank you for trusting me with this.”

Gabe looked down at their joined hands.

“Megan just finished her sentence. I thought she wanted Jake back, but she didn’t. I’m keeping my guardianship permanently. I can legally adopt him now and finally look forward instead of having to look over my shoulder. Now you know how screwed up my life is. Probably regret asking, huh?”

Reaching up to cup his rough cheek, Lianna spoke without even having to think of her response.

“No, I don’t regret anything. I think you are amazing. I appreciate more than you could ever know that you trusted me with the truth. But honestly, I can’t think of any story you could tell me that would change the way I feel about you.”

“I realized it’s either trust you or lose you. I came too close to the latter this afternoon. I’m sorry I lied to you.”

Gabe gently took Lianna’s good arm and pulled her across to his lap. As he cradled her like a baby, she snuggled her nose into his neck, breathing him in. She rubbed his side softly, her fingers tracing the outline of his bandage.

“You know all of my truths now, Lianna, and you’ll know all of them going forward.”

Gabe kissed her softly on the temple, then her cheek. He finally rested his forehead against the side of her face. “I love you.”

The hordes of butterflies in her stomach started fluttering their wings all at once. Lianna pulled away to look up at Gabe. The sincerity in his eyes told her he meant what he said. The happiness and satisfaction she felt was intoxicating. She loved this man so much she could scream. Instead, she kissed his nose, under his eyes, then finally on his lips.

Gabe took control of the kiss, pressing his lips to hers, hard. There was an urgency that took her breath away. Lianna slid her hands into his hair, as desire surged through her. Mustering all the restraint she had, Lianna broke their connection.

“Do you think you can make it up to the bedroom?”

“I’ll die trying,” Gabe said as he released her.

Lianna stood and extended her hand down to him.

“Good. I was beginning to think we’d never get past the one-night stand.”

Gabe laughed, then tried to hide a wince as he took her hand and let her help him up. They had just reached the base of the stairs when he tugged on her hand. Turning back, she found Gabe staring down at her, a hesitant expression on his handsome face.

“You do love me, too, right?”

Now it was Lianna’s turn to laugh.

“You know I do.”

Leaning up on tip toe, she kissed his lips softly and gave him the words he needed.

“I love you, too.”

Pulling back, he smacked her rear playfully and smiled mischievously. “Good, then let’s go start this fling.”

Epilogue

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