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“Sorry, I didn’t know.”
Inhaling a sharp breath, I try to calm my racing heart. “You gotta be more careful, okay?”
He nods and grabs the basketball, then we walk back to greet the driver and his colleague. Though the new furniture is finally here, we aren’t officially moving in until next weekend. Katie’s lease on the rental ends at the end of the month, which gives us more time to pack and clean before handing over the keys.
“Well, whatcha think?” I ask Owen once the couch is set up. “Think your mom will like it?”
“Oh yeah. She’s wanted a sectionalforever!” he tells me dramatically.
I chuckle because he’s right. Though she was determined to stay within the budget, I splurged and ordered what she truly wanted, along with a coffee table, end tables, and a new dining room table. We’re moving the beds and dressers last, then each room will be complete.
“Are you excited this place is finally finished?”
“Yep! It’s nice and big, which means enough room for a dog!” Owen adds with a grin. He’s been asking about getting a pet, and we keep telling him maybe after we move since we’ll have our hands full with infants soon.
“Well, you aren’t wrong.” I flash him a wink.
As a surprise, Katie’s parents, Jerry, and Belinda purchased two cribs for the nursery. I was saving up to buy them when they told us they were ordered and on the way. Their bassinets will go into our bedroom, and once the twins grow out of them, they’ll move to the cribs. Today, Owen and I are putting them together.
“Do you think you’ll like being a dad?” Owen asks as we sit on the floor and look over the instructions.
“Yeah, most definitely. Though a little terrified,” I say honestly, chuckling. “But I know that being a dad is one of the greatest gifts in the world.”
Owen frowns, and before he speaks up, I already know it’s going to be about Gabe.
“I know how my dad died.”
Okay well, maybe not that.
Blinking, I try not to be too expressive as I wait for him to elaborate. As far as I know, Katie told him he got hurt, and that was it. We haven’t really discussed in detail what he knows.
“What do you mean?” I finally ask.
He fidgets for a moment before responding and looking up at me. “Anthony told me what his mom said.”
My heart hammers in my chest as I anticipate his next words.
“He saidyoupunched him.”
And I’ve officially entered into panic mode as my chest tightens.
“Well…” I clear my throat, trying to buy some time. “We did have a fight that night.”
“Anthony said he hit his head, and it caused brain damage. That’s how he died. Is that true?” His voice is level and doesn’t sound angry, but I know I need to tread lightly. He’s asking me without his mom present, so it’s not like I can dodge the conversation and let her take over.
“Yes, that’s right.” The words barely come out, but I can’t lie to him. It was only a matter of time before he found out.
“Is that why you were in prison?”
I nod. “Yeah. Getting into a fight that caused his death was a crime, so I had to pay the price.”
“What were you fighting about?”
“Um, well…” I brush a hand through my hair, contemplating how to answer. “We were arguing about your mom. I thought he should be home with her because she was pregnant with you and having some issues. He had a lot to drink that night and didn’t agree. We ended up arguing and fighting when he wouldn’t listen.”
“Oh.” Owen lowers his eyes. “Anthony said his mom was there too.”
“Yeah, she was,” I confirm. “I didn’t realize it was her, though.”
