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“But . . .” He shook his head in disbelief.
“Kane Moran’s your father.”
Sean’s mouth went slack. “The guy with the motorcycle?”
“Who got you out of the shoplifting charge.”
“He’s my father?” Sean’s voice cracked. “This is just another lie, isn’t it?”
“No.” She eyed him in dead seriousness and his color changed from ruddy rebellion to ghost white.
“No way.”
“Yes, Sean, I should have told you sooner.”
“Damn straight you should have! What is this, Mom? Are you gonna tell me that my whole life is a lie?”
“No, but—”
“Jesus, I can’t believe this!” Tears sprang to his eyes. “You were screwing him and then passing me off as that pervert St. John’s. For the love of God. What about Sam?” His voice cracked again and his eyes filled with unwanted tears.
“Paul’s her father.”
“Holy shit, Mom.”
“Sean, just listen—”
“No way!” Backing up, tripping over the stool, he made his way to the door. “No fucking way!” He barreled out of the door, running as fast as his legs would carry him. Claire chased after him, through the French doors and down the porch, but her heels caught in the floorboards and she couldn’t catch him as he ran down past the garage, past the dock, and into the woods. “Sean!” she yelled. “Sean!”
“What happened?” Samantha, who had been sitting on the porch swing, asked.
“I gave him some news he didn’t want to hear.”
“What?”
“I’ll tell you about it later. Right now I’ve got to find him.”
“Just let him cool off,” Sam advised. “He doesn’t really have to go to the party, does he?”
“He should.”
“He’d just be a pain if he went,” Samantha said sagely.
Claire stared into the woods and felt powerless. Maybe Sam was right. Then again, she felt that she should follow her boy, hold him and tell him everything would be all right, that she was sorry she lied, but life would go on. Dear God, she prayed that he was okay and she was doing the right thing.
“Okay, let’s let him have a little time to himself,” she said to Samantha, and turned toward the house. They walked into the kitchen as the phone rang. Claire snagged the receiver on the third ring.
“Claire?” Miranda’s voice was shaking. “Have you seen Tessa?”
“No? Should I have?”
“She and I were going to the party together, but she’s not in her suite or anywhere else around Stone Illahee.”
This wasn’t a surprise. “You know how she is.”
“I know she didn’t want to go, but last night she told me she would.”
“She’s changed her mind before.”
