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I don't reach to embrace him. That's never been part of our relationship. I know he cares for me. Deep within my heart I know he truly loves me but the wedge that was put there when I found out he had kept Hunter from me for all those years is unyielding. He lied about something as fundamental as my heart.
"Is mom here?" I'm hopeful that I can get this over quickly and be back in Hunter's apartment before it gets too late. I'm falling behind in my studies and an empty place means extra study time over the course of the next few days.
He studies my face as if he's about to launch into a tirade about the merits of running away from the man I love. I know m
y father doesn't approve of Hunter. He's the one who once had him arrested. "I'll go get her."
I breathe a heavy sigh of relief that I've dodged one uncomfortable confrontation tonight. Now all that's left on my agenda is getting my mom to spill the beans. I have to find out what she knows about Hunter. I hate living with him not fully understanding what's going on and what he's keeping from me.
"He's trying to protect you." The words reach me before she appears at the top of the staircase. She looks elegant even wearing her pajamas and a silk robe. It's rare to see her without her makeup. It's been years since that's happened and I'm stunned by how youthful she looks.
"Daddy?"
"No. Zander." She's standing in front of me now. I can see past the barrier she usually has surrounding her. There's worry skirting the edges of her beautiful brown eyes.
I follow her lead into the large sitting room. She takes a spot on an ornate sofa and I settle in next to her. Although the home I grew up in is elegantly designed and decorated, the one thing I always longed for was the coziness that comes with having a family who showed affection.
"What is it, mom?" I can't let my pride shelter me this time. I need the truth. I've been struggling for days with the knowledge that Hunter is hiding something.
"It's about the boy." She's staring down at her robe, her pointed red fingernail tracing a line along the fabric's intricate design.
"Cory?" I offer his name. He's an important part of my life. I want him to be just as important to my parents. In a perfect world, they would embrace him and Hunter but perfect worlds are only found in fairy tales and other people's homes.
She nods silently. I hear her breathing become heavier. She's struggling with whatever it is she needs to tell me.
"Please, mom." I reach to touch her hand and this time she doesn't instantly recoil from my touch.
"It's about the boy's father." Her words hit me like a high speed baseball. She didn't say Hunter, or Zander. She didn't call him by his name.
"Hunter?" I offer. "You mean Hunter?"
"No." She pulls her gaze up to meet mine. "His real father, Sadie."
Chapter 11
"How...how do you know?" I struggle to get the question out in one breath. I didn't think anyone knew that Hunter wasn't Cory's biological father. Hunter told me himself that Christina had no idea who that man was.
"Your father told me." Of course he did. My father knows every detail of Hunter's entire life.
I squeeze her hand harder this time. "They don’t know who the father really is." That's what Hunter told me. It's the truth. He told me that Christina had so many one night stands that she couldn't pinpoint Cory's father.
"Did he tell you that?" Her brow furrows as she scans my face. I see concern there. Real, genuine concern flashes over her expression. I can only remember seeing it once before. It was years ago when I was so ill during those months before my heart transplant.
"Yes." I see no reason to not be direct with her. I feel as though she's offering me everything she knows. I want to do the same.
She pulls her gaze down and her eyes flit back and forth slightly almost as if she's searching for something in her lap. "Sadie," she begins but stops herself.
"Mom," I whisper as I lean in closer. "Please, just tell me."
"They know who it is." Her voice is so soft. I struggle to make out each word. "They all know."
"Hunter knows?" I can't believe that. Why would he keep something so important from me? Why wouldn't he share that detail?
She pivots her body so her shoulder is touching mine. "Sadie, I don't know who he is. I overheard your father talking."
That's all I need to hear. I bolt to my feet and turn to walk out of the room.
"Sadie," she almost screams my name into the silence of the house. "Stop."
