Young Truths (Young Series) (39 page)

Claire nods. “Makes sense,” she says musingly. “And really, it’s probably more that she wanted to get away from Dad for a few hours.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

She shrugs. “He’s been... off since Lucy died. I mean, it’s no secret that they were close, though God only know
s what the hell it is he saw in her. He always kind of treated her like the daughter he never had. There were times I thought he’d have been happier if he could trade Matt for her. I think I would have thrown myself off a building if that had been possible, but...” She shrugs again. “Anyway, he’s been moping and upset and edgy, and Mom has been dealing with the worst of it. I’d want to get away from him, too.”

“She hasn’t said anything,” I say. “Well, Lucy and your dad did work together for quite a while, right? It has to have come as a shock to him. Matt won’t admit it, but he was pretty upset about it himself.”

“Anyone would be upset if they found their ex’s body floating in the lake behind their house,” Claire points out frankly. “But for all his Lucy is evil propaganda over the years, he seems to be getting wrapped up in everything.”

I shrug. “Of course he is,” I reply dryly. “What aren’t we getting wrapped up in right now?”

She snorts a laugh. “Speaking of which, how’d the paternity test go?”

“We should know the results in a week or so,” I answer. “What I wasn’t expecting was Tom’s presence.”

Her mouth drops open. “You’re joking,” she whispers. “How is Matt not in jail?”

I smirk a little. “He actually handled it better than I did. The only time I thought things might get a little hairy was when we were leaving and Tom looked like he wanted to talk to me—Matt didn’t like that.”

“Can’t imagine why,” Claire murmurs sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah. Anyway, he told Tom to stay away from us and we left. And as much as it pains me to say it, I think that is the permanent end of that friendship.”

“Pains you to say it?” Claire repeats incredulously. “Sam! The asshole dragged you, your husband, and your daughter to get a blood test that is just going to confirm what you told him about Olivia’s parentage. He’s a dick. If he had any sense, he would have just let it go after you two talked in Iowa.”

I nod my agreement. “I just never saw things playing out like this,” I admit quietly. “Not with Tom. He’s spent his entire life trying to get me to fall madly in love with him and he pulls this. Maybe I’m naïve, but I always thought no matter what, I’d always have his friendship. Now I know how untrue that is.”

“He was trying to hang onto you by a tiny, miniscule, nonexistent thread,” Claire says gently. “And honestly, I’d have been surprised if he
hadn’t
raised any questions. Matt seemed to take it all in stride.”

“Matt certainly did,” I agree. “From the day we got the letter, he never had a doubt that Olivia is his daughter. S
adly, I’m the one who doubted.”

“Why?”

“Because it seems like whenever something good happens to us, something bad is waiting in the wings to take us down again,” I say matter-of-factly. “And this seemed like the perfect storm for something that would ultimately destroy us.”

Claire raises an eyebrow. “You think Matt would have turned his back on you if the baby turned out to be Tom’s?” she asks, warning in her tone.

I shake my head. “No,” I answer promptly. “I know he wouldn’t. But that might have been the problem. He goes on with our life as though nothing is changed while I’m wracked with guilt over something I had no control over. At some point, I know that guilt would have been too much for me and I’d end up leaving him again because I couldn’t stand looking at him knowing I’ve hurt him.”

She stares at me as though I’m insane. “Okay, seriously... I have never met a couple that is so wrapped up in self-loathing or doubt in my life. Sam, the moment we all laid eyes on Olivia, we knew who her father was. And if by some twist of fate that tu
rns out to be untrue...” She shrugs. “It won’t make a difference to any of us. The only downside would be that Tom would be in your lives for many years to come. It doesn’t matter, though; Olivia is undoubtedly a Young, and you’ll have physical proof of that in a week. So let’s talk about something else.”

I almost want to laugh at her eagerness to change the subject, but my amusement dies when I think of our next topic. Actually, I’m surprised she hasn’t brought it up yet. “Matt told me about Mark.”

Claire actually flinches. “How’d that go?”

“I didn’t want to believe him.”

“But did you?”

I nod. “Yes. Maybe not at first, but I trust him enough to see through the hatred he’s had for Mark since he laid eyes on the guy.” I have to remind myself I still haven’t told Claire about the circumstance
s under which Matthew and Mark met. After Matthew and I talked through our issues, which included his alleged and false infidelity and him walking in on Mark and me in the hospital room that morning, we agreed to put it behind us as much as we could. It hasn’t been brought up since and as far as I know, neither of us has mentioned it to anyone else. “The real kicker was when he told me Jessica told him Mark has a box of photos under his bed. Of me.”

Claire’s mouth drops open. “You’re kidding?” she says in a low, shocked tone. “Seriously?”

I shrug. “Apparently. I’d accuse her of being the jilted lover, but she broke up with him. She also thinks he’s in love with me.”

“Well, he is,” Clai
re says bluntly. “Everyone sees it but you. It’s why Matt can’t accept your friendship; he knows Mark won’t ever get over it and he’s afraid Mark might try something with you.”

It’s not that I wasn’t aware that Mark has feelings for me; I just preferred to ignore it. I valued his friendship enough to believe that would be enough for him. The sad thing is that all of a sudden, my friendships seem to be dropping like flies.

“Either way, it’s a complete waste,” Claire tells me. “All the hot ones are either gay or insane.”

I roll my eyes at her, smiling. “I don’t know. Your brother’s pretty hot.”

“And that is something I never want to hear you say again, thank you very much. I realize you’ve proven your attraction to him several times, but he’s still my brother and there are things that I don’t need in my head.”

I grin innocently. “What? It’s not like I told you how he can go all night and leave me feeli
ng like I’ve slept for a week.”

She looks at me in disgust. “Jesus, Sam, come on.”

My innocent expression remains in place. “I don’t know what it is you’re thinking, but I was referring to his ability to stay awake all night with Olivia,” I inform her. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Claire.”

Flipping me off, she pushes away from the counter. “I thought you wanted my help with your book order,” she grumbles.

Laughing, I nod. “It’s in the back...”

As I pull into my parents’ driveway, I pause for a moment, taking several deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself down before I do this. I certainly wouldn’t be helping matters by going in there half-cocked; part of me still thinks there’s been some sort of misunderstanding surrounding several coincidental pieces of evidence.

“Are you sure this is the best course of action?” Marcus asks quietly, speaking for the first time since we left Young Technologies. “Is it really so important for you to know whether or not your dad was fucking Lucy?”

I flinch at the words. “He’s spent the last four and a half months trying to pretend that we’re all this one big happy family, even after all his bullshit over the years. No, I don’t want to believe it was all a lie, but for once, he needs to come clean. He never has to answer for anything he does and this is a step too far. This has the potential to hurt my mother and my sisters if they ever find out. I need to know in case that happens.”

“Fair enough,” Marcus says
resignedly. “Let’s get this over with, then. And don’t even try telling me you don’t need me in there or that I shouldn’t concern myself with it. I couldn’t give two shits about your dad; what I
do
give two shits about is keeping you out of jail for assault and battery. And I’ll warn you, Matt, if I start to see you losing it, I will drag your ass out of there. Got it?”

Rolling my eyes, I nod my agreement, wondering how much longer I’m going to be kept on a leash. “Fine. Let’s go.”

My only saving grace right now is that my mother isn’t home; she’s offered to babysit Olivia during the day, so she won’t have to be witness to whatever happens between me and my father. We get to the front door and I ring the doorbell, all the while mentally talking myself out of and back into this plan of mine. Maybe Marcus is right; maybe there are some things I’m just better off not knowing. Besides, the man is sick, practically on his deathbed, and it won’t be long before he breathes his last. Do I really want my last few memories of my father to include my knowledge of his alleged infidelity?

When the door opens, I know it’s too late. “Matthew!” my father says in surprise, looking between me and Marcus. “I wasn’t expecting you. Is everything all right?” He pales slightly. “Is your mother hurt?”

“No,” I say quickly. “No, Mom is fine; I’m sure she’s having the time of her life with Olivia.” He relaxes significantly. “I just wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Of course,” he says, stepping back to hold the door open for us. “Let’s go to my study. Can I get either of you a drink?”

I’d love an entire bottle of whiskey, but I don’t say as much. Marcus declines as well and we follow my father through the house. My father leads us into his study, closing the doors, and turns to look at us. “So what’s this all about?” he asks, walking around his desk to sit. I don’t miss the heavy limp as he moves around.

I shoot a glance in
Marcus’s direction and lean forward in my chair. “I need to ask you something,” I say evenly, “and I need you to be completely honest with me. Don’t treat me like a child by lying—I know more than you think I do and I’ll know if you are.”

He looks between us nervously. “Okay,” he says quietly. “What’s your question?”

I take a very deep breath, unable to believe I’m actually about to have this discussion with my father. “Were you having an affair with Lucy?” I ask him, looking him directly in his eyes.

He looks back at me with surprise and confusion and fear and... there it is. Guilt. “Why would you ask me that?” he asks sharply.

“Fuck!” I exclaim, slapping my hand against the desk as I stand. “You were. When? How long?”

Pacing around the room, I barely hear his stammered explanation. Years. On and off. But he ended it, he swears. I spin around to face him again. “You ended it?” I ask through gritted teeth. “Was this before or after you were diagnosed with cancer?”

His eyes widen in further surprise. “How do you know about that?” he demands.

I shake my head at him in disgust. “I’ve known for months. I’ve just been waiting for you to actually tell me. God, I’ve been such a fucking idiot. I let my guard down around you because you started apologizing for everything and treating Samantha the way you should have
been treating her all along. I started forgiving you and trusting you because I knew I wouldn’t have much time left with you and I wanted to take whatever I could get. Now
this
? The police thought they found
my
fingerprints all over her apartment which made my wife think I was lying to her about having cut contact with Lucy. And all along, they were yours. You and your fucking DUI! Someone fucked up the paperwork and mixed yours with mine.” I fist my hair in my hands, hardly knowing what I’m saying. “Does Mom know?”

M
y father shakes his head. “No, she doesn’t,” he says quietly. “Are you going to tell her?”

“What, and break her heart even more? No, I couldn’t do that to her. You, though... I should have known all your apologies and begging forgiveness were bullshit. You’ve never been genuinely sorry for anything in your life, have you? You’re probably not even sorry that you spent years fucking your son’s ex-girlfriend behind your wife’s back!”

“Matt,” Marcus says warningly as my voice grows louder.

I ignore him, inwardly smirking as I see my father’s face turn red in anger. Finally, a reaction. “Cancer is fitting for you,” I growl. “Gets you just enough pity and sympathy from everyone you’ve ever hurt because you’re going through hell. Well, fuck you, Paul. I’m done with you.”

“You don’t get to talk to me like this,” he exclaims, shooting up from his chair. “I am your father and as such, you will address me with respect when you come into my home and fling around all your baseless accusations!”

“They’re not fucking baseless!” I yell. “Every accusation I’ve flung in here is based on absolute fact. What I want to know is where the fuck you get off thinking you can just do whatever you want and have it all forgiven like you’re going to confession. So you broke up with Lucy; is that supposed to absolve you of all guilt? Jesus, she’s half your age! I couldn’t ever imagine fucking my son’s girlfriend. It’s disrespectful to me; it’s disrespectful to your wife and your daughters. What else have you done that we don’t know about, Paul? How much is going to come to light when you finally keel over?”