Page 97 of Stone
Tyler was just as nervous as Dani if not more. I studied his facial expressions and his reactions. He had his mother’s determined look and the same nose, but the rest of him was all Bellows blood. I was as fucked up as I’d ever been.
“If you’re sure it’s okay,” he answered.
“Yeah, it’s okay. I’m sure you’re tired after your ordeal. I’ll show you where it is and get you some clean towels. Dani. Stay for a couple minutes. Okay?” I slipped the tumbler onto the table and stood, resisting glancing down at Dani. I’d never seen her this quiet.
“Thanks.” Tyler shakily rose to his feet. The fact his mother and father had not only encouraged, but had all but insisted he come find us was telling.
My gut told me they did know the circumstances surrounding the adoption. I did what I could to hide my anger. The kid… my kid didn’t deserve my wrath. There was a long enough list of people who did.
Including Gray. I refused to believe he hadn’t at least been forewarned. I also had a feeling Tyler hadn’t been told the entire story. The kid was as lost as Dani and I.
He carried his Coke with him as I led him down the hallway, the room on the opposite side of the house from where Dani was staying and my bedroom. Although the two had been interwoven the last few days.
“Here you go.” Could anything be more awkward than this moment? I’d been through the kind of shit in my life that should prepare me for anything. I’d suffered the loss of children I’d never met, but had been tasked to save, only to have their memories haunt me for ten years. I’d always wanted a huge family and in truth, had thought Dani and I would have a ton of kids together.
Then acts of violence and brutality had made me think bringing a child into this world was akin to an act of cruelty.
But here he was, my own flesh and blood and I was completely tongue-tied. He walked into the room, taking his time looking around.
“Nice place,” he said.
“Tyler. I don’t want you to think you’re not welcome here. It’s just that we’re pretty shocked.”
“I get it. I was going to call, but I didn’t know your number. Besides, I figured you’d hang up on me. The whole story sounds crazy.”
He had no idea.
At least I could chuckle, which relieved some pressure. “You’re right. You don’t know me, but I don’t suffer fools lightly.”
He turned around, showing the same dimples I had hiding under my four-day scruff. “My dad says that. I mean…”
“He’ll always be your dad, Tyler. DNA doesn’t take that away.”
The way he rubbed his hand on his jeans was agonizing. “That’s what he said too.”
“Get some sleep if you can. We’ll talk more in the morning.” I started to close the door but stopped. “One more question. Why were you stalking us at the party?”
“I didn’t mean to stalk you. I just wanted to see what you looked like. When I heard my mom… my birth mom was staying with you, I just wanted to know… I mean I…”
“You were trying to figure out why we gave you up for adoption and thought seeing us together might help.”
Tyler swallowed. “Yeah, something like that.”
“I get it. I only wish I had some easy answers for you, but I don’t. I don’t think Dani does either. That’s her name. Dani Vale.”
“That’s okay and Dad told me about my birth mother. Some anyway.”
A whole lot of guilty consciences were going on.
“Well, goodnight.” I waited until he nodded before closing the door. As soon as I did, the bottom almost fell out from under me. I crowded the wall, taking deep, labored breaths. What the fuck was going on?
My chest was tight, the pain almost making me worry I was having a heart attack. I fisted both hands, bringing them to my face as I lowered my head. What in the fuck was I supposed to do with this shit from here?
Find the truth.
Dani and I needed to talk.
I took long strides into the living room, realizing she’d left. Fucking goddamn it. Now she couldn’t face the truth. Oh, this was insane.
