AllFreeNovel
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I’m not alone. Ronni bursts into tears, I tighten my arm around her. Tears roll down Fiona’s face. Alex sobs next to Jace. None of us, except maybe Zane, had a clue. Even if Zane knew part of it, from his expression, he wasn’t privy to the entire story.
Ty takes a deep breath and very deliberately looks at Jace, Zane, and then me. “I’ll shut up now, but before I do. I’m sorry. I said horrible things to all of you. Things I truly didn’t mean. I can’t expect any of you to understand. This information is, well… It’s a lot. I just need you all to know while I’m never going to be cured, I’ve done everything in my power to learn how to manage my CPTSD. I understand if you don’t want anything to do with me. If the band is truly broken up. I hope that isn’t the case, because I was so fucking excited to start things up again. No matter what happens, all of you are my family. I hope you’ll find it in your hearts to forgive me. To learn more. To talk to me. I’m an open book. I’m not hiding anymore. And I’m not going to let what happened fucking define me anymore.”
My wife jumps up, still sobbing, and crouches next to Ty. She takes his hands in hers. “Iunderstand, Ty. I’m sorry you felt so alone for so long. You’re a good man, sweetheart. You deserve happiness. I’m here for you. Connor too.”
I nod. Touched at Ronni’s big heart. Even better, I realize I don’t have an ounce of animosity left at the fauxmance situation that plagued my mind for so long. I glance up at Zoey who smiles at me. Grips Ty’s shoulder and squeezes.
Everyone begins murmuring and whispering. As we process what Ty’s just told us, I know with certainty we’re going to be okay. There’s no question.
We’re family.
Zoey jumps in to quiet the room. Ty finishes his tale, confirming that Carter is his biological father and he’s grateful for it. We also learn he’s inherited a shite-ton of money from his mother’s side of the family, who are icons in the community. Talk about a life-changing experience all the way around.
Carter chimes in because, well, Carter. My eyes flick to Zane, who’s hard to read. He’s gained a brother. Then again, from the moment they met, Ty has always been his brother. What a strange turn of events.
Rather abruptly, Jace and Alex say their goodbyes. Ty hands them some sort of flyer and they’re gone. Some of my anxiety returns. I thought Jace was on board with reuniting. Hopefully he hasn’t changed his mind.
Their abrupt departure has us all talking softly amongst ourselves. Zoey claps her hands sharply. “You guys, if we could just say one thing I'd appreciate it.”
We all snap to attention.
“If any of you are like me, you're probably feeling a lot of different things. I handed Alex and Jace something we put together that will give you the basics.” Ty picks up the conversation. “Rather than leave here today and let you speculate, I think it will explain a lot.”
They hand out the flyers. The room buzzes again with various groups of us chatting softly about what just happened. Fiona speaks inaudibly to Zoey, I can’t hear what they’re saying. Before I can speak with Ty or Zoey, they say goodbye and leave. My optimism begins to turn. It’s not a great sign when fifty percent of LTZ isn’t even in the room.
Maybe this didn’t go as well as I thought it did.
Moments after Ty and Zoey leave, Ronni jumps up and pulls Fee in a huge bear hug. She pulls away and looks her square in the eye. “Are you okay? That was a lot.”
“I’m fine.” Fiona’s jaw is set.
Zane pulls her down into his lap. Cradles her head. Whispers into her ear. She presses her temple against his. They sit that way with their eyes closed for five minutes or so. Comforting and calming each other too, so it appears.
I stand and place my hand on Ronni’s shoulder. Bend to speak calmly in her ear, “Should we go?”
Lianne, who’s said nothing during this entire time, is adamant. “No, Connor. Ronni. Please stay. Let’s talk this out for a bit.”
“Yes, I’d like that.” Ronni cranes her neck up at me.
I kiss her lips. “Aye. We’ll stay.”
Zane gestures to the kitchen. “Fee always has delicious stuff in the fridge. Let’s go eat.”
“I have some soup I can heat up. Artisan bread.” Fee wipes an errant tear from the corner of her eye. “I’d like us to have some time to decompress after all of that.”
The six of us follow them into the kitchen. We sit around a huge marble-covered island while Fee and Zane bustle about, pulling a feast together, in addition to the soup.
“I heard you visited the house.” Carter sits next to me and waggles his brows.
Lianne smacks his arm. “I told you not to say anything.”
“Ohmygod.” Ronni folds her arms on the table and buries her face on top of them.
Carter nudges me. “She just gave herself away, eh?”
“I plead the fifth.” I make a zipping motion in front of my lips. “Don’t remember a thing.”
Ronni looks up. “He was showing me theview…” Her face reddens when she realizes she just dug herself in deeper.
