Page 72 of Beneath the Scars
They bought us snacks, and he offered to take our picture as a way to distract us. Looking back, I’m pretty sure his wife had called CPS, but our mom came back before they arrived, and we left.
He’d written our names on the bottom and put the picture in my backpack. How did Zane end up with it?
As if he heard my silent question, he says, “The day after Mom’s boyfriend kicked me and gave me a black eye, I was supposed to have a visitation with my real dad. Apparently, he’d been fighting for custody since I was a few months old and had finally been rewarded visitation rights.
“A social worker came to the apartment since I hadn’t shown up for the visitation. When she saw my black eye, she got me out of there immediately. They told her they didn’t have any other kids, that I was the only one there. And she believed them, the idiot. She took your backpack, thinking it was mine, and that’s how I ended up with that picture.
“I never stopped looking for you, Mikey. I held onto that picture like a lifeline, showing Dad I had proof even if my memories were hazy. At first, he didn’t believe me since the social worker told him I was the only kid there. He thought maybe I was talking about another kid in the apartment complex. As I got older and kept pestering him about you, he finally had a cop friend look into it. Said you’d been adopted and our mom and her boyfriend were in jail.”
In my silence, Zane continues to talk. “I was so happy tohear you’d gotten out of there and that you were safe. I hoped I’d get to see you again one day. I just never imagined it would be like this.
“I should’ve told Addie right then, but I was so shocked that by the time I recovered enough to say anything, she’d moved on, and it was too late. Then I just became a coward.”
I stare at my half brother for a long moment, and then I turn and leave without saying another word.
Chapter 39
Addie
Aglass of red wine appears in front of me, followed by an affectionate squeeze to my shoulder.
“It’s all going to work out how it needs to, Addie,” Ryan says softly.
“Will it? Michael didn’t take Zane to have a friendly chat. He’s in trouble for something—I just can’t imagine what. He’s one of my best friends, Ryan.”
“And you’re wondering how you could either be lied to or ignorant of a hidden personality.” Ryan says it as a statement, not a question.
Because he’s right. “Am I so naive that I could be fooled for years?”
“No, Addie. You aren’t. I don’t believe someone could become one of your best friends and be lying about who they are at their core.”
What he’s not saying is that Zane was likely lying about something. Michael wouldn’t have brought him in for questioning if he didn’t have proof of wrongdoing.
My sip of wine sits bold and heavy on my tongue. “I can’tstand this uncertainty. How much longer will we have to sit here waiting?”
Ryan shrugs. “Until they get the truth. Zane seemed resigned to the inevitable, so maybe he’s telling them everything without too much trouble.”
It’s been hours since Michael took Zane away. After Ryan finished creating the bride’s bouquets, he brought me back to their house while Mom and Vivi delivered the flowers. Ryan got a text a little bit ago with a heartfelt message from the bride.
He then got tagged in an Instagram post, praising his talent and willingness to step up for her big day. The woman has over fifty thousand followers. Ryan has already received multiple DMs from people requesting flowers. Eliza joked that she’ll need to brush up on her social media skills.
She’s probably not too far off base. If this keeps up, Ryan won’t be able to take on all the requests he gets, but the exposure is incredible regardless.
I’ve finished my glass of wine and am debating pouring another when Michael comes striding through the front door. The thundercloud parked on his forehead is so dark, he doesn’t even notice us sitting in the living room. He heads straight upstairs without a word.
I raise an eyebrow at my brother. What the hell could’ve happened that he wouldn’t give us an update first?
“It’s all you now. I’m passing on my baton.”
Smirking, I stand from the couch. “Thanks for keeping me company today. I know you like to deliver your arrangements yourself, but I’m really grateful you stayed with me. I’d have gone crazy by myself.”
“I’ll be here anytime you need me. Always.”
I peck a quick kiss to his cheek and head upstairs. Blowing out a deep breath, I tap on Michael’s door before peeking into his room.
“I’m not in my right mind for company, Adalaide.” His words are practically growled at me.
“That means you need company more than ever.” I plop down on the edge of his bed, my shoulder leaning against his.
