Page 39 of Holding Ground

“Okay…well, it sounds like you probably don’t have anything to worry about, right? More likely than not, there’s nothing going on. Doesn’t seem like you to stress out about something like this until you know there’s something to be worried about.”

I nod, though he can’t see me. “Agreed. That’s not what’s on my mind.”

“All right…”

I lean back so I’m fully prone on the bed. “When she asked about my maternal history…”

Trey’s long sigh comes through the phone. “You realized how little you know about where you came from.”

See, I knew he’d understand.

Trey was adopted by my aunt and uncle after living with them through foster care. While he does know who his birth parents are—he actually went looking for his birth father and found him—he wasn’t raised by them and didn’t live in a house and come to know the ins and outs of their personalities the way you only can when you live with them.

“Exactly. And I think maybe I want to know more, which makes me feel like a traitor.” I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to prevent any tears from forming.

“Have you talked to Uncle Jed and Aunt Molly about it?”

“No.” I roll over onto my side, with my phone pressed against my ear. “I don’t even know how I’d approach something like that. I haven’t even fully decided that this is a road I want to go down.”

“That’s fair. It’s something you should really consider. There’s always a chance you’ll find out things you wish you didn’t know.”

“I know, but sometimes I think that might be better. At least then I’d know something.”

“Only you can decide for yourself what you need. But, Emelia, your parents love you. I don’t think they’d be upset if you wanted to know more about your birth mother.”

“Objectively, I know you’re probably right. But it’s more the thought of hurting them. I don’t want them to think they’ve done anything wrong or that I want someone else. I love them so much, and…it feels like a hot poker in the chest.”

“Thanks for the visual…I get it. You know I do.”

“That’s why I called. I wasn’t looking for answers. I just wanted to commiserate with someone who’s already been through it.”

“I will, and when you think you’re ready, I’ll be right next to you when you tell your parents.”

I smile even though he can’t see me. “Thanks.”

“Always.”

“Okay, enough of that. Tell me what’s going on with you.”

“You sure? I’m happy to listen as long as you need me to.”

“I’m sure.”

Trey fills me in on everything happening in his life, as well as the local Sunrise Bay gossip. Apparently, there was some kind of pregnancy scare with my cousin Crew last week, and Trey’s sister, Althea, is dating some guy he really has a problem with.

“Well, we both know Althea’s not going to listen to you if you try to tell her. I speak from experience.”

Trey laughs because he has held my hand through a lot of dramatic breakups. After my college boyfriend broke up with me, I was a little disillusioned and didn’t make the best choices in men.

“I know you’re right.” He groans. “It’s just hard to remain silent when you can see the crash coming from a mile away. Speaking of potential collisions…let’s talk about the one that’s about to happen to you. How’s it going, living with that guy and his daughter?”

“Not as bad as I would have thought, honestly. Baylor—that’s the daughter—she’s adorable, and Elliott is surprisingly more tolerable with me living under his roof.”

“Huh.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. Usually when you don’t like someone, you’ll rant and rave about them, like the first time you mentioned him to me. Just not the reaction I was expecting, I guess.”