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Kane flashed me a boyish grin. “I’m proud of you, babe. Do you think he’ll leave?”
I shrugged. “No clue, but I held my ground, and that’s what I’m happy about. However, I might have mentioned the football team was waiting to bury him alive.”
A laugh bellowed from Kane’s chest. “I love you, babe.” Kane’s mouth crashed over mine as the rain continued to fall. His kiss stole the air from my lungs and made my knees weak.
“I loveyou, Kane Cooper.”
“Let’s go home.”
I took his hand as we ran, laughing like two little kids.
* * *
“That’s the last shower we’ll take here together,” I said to Kane as I handed him a plush cream bath towel. I dried my hair the best I could before I walked into my bedroom, the cold air chilling me again.
“You mean the last time I’ll make love to you inthatshower.” He strolled out of the bathroom with the towel slung low on his hips.
“True, but I’m okay with that. I’m excited to officially move into your place tomorrow.” I glanced at my phone. “It’s almost time to video chat with my family.”
Concern ghosted over Kane’s features.
“What is it?” After standing up to Marc, I wasn’t sure anything could get me down.
Kane tugged on his long-sleeve Whitmore University T-shirt, then stepped into his jeans. I dressed in a warm sweater and skinny jeans. Realizing I wouldn’t have time to dry my hair, I walked to the bathroom to get my brush.
“Brie, there’s something we need to talk about before we chat with your mom and dad.”
“You sound really serious, Kane. What’s wrong?”
He ran a hand over his damp hair, his gaze landing on the floor, then traveling back to me.
“While you were meeting with Marc earlier, I got a phone call I’ve been waiting for.”
My stomach plummeted to my toes. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything is fine, babe. But …” He sighed, then sat on the bed. “At Thanksgiving, when I saw Conner, it made me think.”
“He’s a doll, isn’t he? And such a good kid. Mom and Dad have done an amazing job with him.”
“They have.” Kane stood and gently grabbed my shoulders. “I didn’t know until today when the phone call came through, but, Brie … your parents aren’t Conner’s mom and dad.”
“Kane, what are you talking about?” Anxiety pulled and tugged at my insides, and for a fleeting second, I was pissed that Kane was trying to tear my family apart. “You’re not making any sense.”
“I took a paternity test, and the Langstons provided Conner’s DNA, while I gathered some of your hair from the pillow you sleep on. Brie, you and I are Conner’s parents.”
I gulped, confusion clouding my thoughts. “What? The test provedwe’rehis parents?” I shoved my hands through my hair, frantically trying to understand what was happening. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“To protect you and Conner. Rodger and Carolyn said that you were pregnant when they found you unconscious on the side of the road. At some point, you probably hit your head, plus with the trauma of the cult and the pregnancy, you blocked it all out. Conner was delivered by c-section. Your scar is faint, but I saw it when we were in bed together. I didn’t think anything about it. It was the tattoo I focused on.”
I raised my sweater, exposing my lower abdomen. “No, that happened …” I hesitated. “Mom and Dad told me I had a deep gash when they found me. It needed stitches, so they kept me in the hospital for a week and a half.” Fear, grief, and anxiety were a few of the emotions that overshadowed my words. I diverted my eyes from Kane.
“You were in the hospital twice. The first time when they found you, then when you delivered Conner. Babe, they said you were so fragile that they were afraid it would send you spiraling into a deep depression. Rodger and Carolyn hoped your memories would return, not so much about the cult, but for Conner’s sake.” Kane rubbed my arms as he waited for me to say something.
Fear seized me as I realized Conner had been living a lie, too. “How is Conner going to feel when he finds out everyone hid this from him? They lied to both of us.” My pitch rose with my questions.
“I don’t know, babe. I’m not sure what the next step is. I had to confirm that I was his father first.”
I searched his face, frowning. “I never paid attention before, but he looks like you. He has the same brown eyes and shape of the brows.”
