Page 50 of Small-Town Secrets
Once I knew how to.
22
Laurence
Aaron wasn't coming home.
I cleaned the kitchen. I put the kids to sleep. I dusted the shelves in the living room, even though they didn't need dusting. Anything I could think of to keep myself distracted.
Honestly, I should have thought about how to talk to Aaron—and how to talk to my kids, but I couldn't. Every time I tried, it felt like my brain was starting to fall in on itself. There was too much to consider. Too many mistakes I had made, too many opportunities I'd missed. I was gonna have to wing it.
I gulped, dusting around one of Aaron's books. 'Dog Training for Dummies.' As if Aaron was a dummy. I'd always admired him so much growing up. Maybe a little too much.
A key turned in the lock of the front door.
Aaron was finally here.
My body turned rigid.
The moment of truth had finally arrived.
Barely even breathing, I listened to his footsteps as he came down the hall. "Laurence?"
"In the living room," I responded, making myself turn around. I forced a smile on my face too, even though I didn't think I could fool Aaron. I'd been through a lot of terrifying moments, but I'd never felt so tense in my life.
Aaron was going to hate me for what I'd done to him.
I was sure of it.
When he stepped into the living room, though, I couldn't define the look on his face. His jaw was set, but his expression completely blank.
"Did you have a good time at the tattoo studio?" I asked only to break the silence that was tearing at my nerves.
It didn't seem like Aaron was in the mood for small talk, though. He cut right to the heart of the issue instead. "Howard isn't the father of your children, is he?"
"No, he's not." What else could I say but the truth? Aaron already knew. There was no point in hiding anymore. Still, it was hard to get the words out. I'd kept this secret for so long I'd kind of thought I'd be taking it to my grave.
"Are they mine?"
I stared at Aaron, trying to gauge what he was thinking, but it was impossible to tell. His expression was closed off. Some emotion glimmered in his eyes, but I couldn't interpret it. It could have been hope or it could have been shock. Or fear. Maybe it was all three.
I had to put an end to this.
"Yes, they're yours."
Aaron swallowed. I watched his Adam's apple bob as he did, focused on his every move. I had no idea how he was going to react, so I braced myself for everything.
"Why..." Aaron started, then stopped. "How..." He shook his head, visibly fighting to keep his composure. I'd never seen him so upset before. I kind of wanted to go to him and stroke the tension out of his shoulders, but I was pretty sure that touch wouldn't be welcome right now.
"I'm sorry," I said, keeping my distance.
"How long have you known?"
My gaze dropped to the floor.
I owed him the truth—all of it—didn't I? "I always suspected."
My babies had been born with blue eyes, but the color changed very quickly, until I could see Aaron each time I looked at them. I’d buried that feeling pretty quickly, though. There'd been no way to besure, and anyway, I'd only tricked Aaron into sleeping with me. How could I come to him with two babies? How could I expect him to provide for them?
