Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
When it comes to my dad, I always feel confusion and frustration, and while I’ve accepted this is the way things are, I still wish I could understand why. What is it about me that makes it so hard for him to love me?
“You okay?” Miles asks, reading my mood.
“Yeah. Just always dread going home. It’s easier this time, though.”
“I have that much power, huh?”
“You do, but I’ll never admit it again.”
We pull off the highway, and I give him directions to my father’s house. “Holy shit,” he says when we pull out front.
“Ridiculous, isn’t it?”
“I thought I came from money, but this is on another level.”
“I try not to act like a spoiled douchebag.”
He cocks a brow. “Only a douchebag would use the word douchebag.”
“Good point.”
I go to open the car door, but Miles stops me. “You good?” he asks, and I feel the smile in my chest before it makes its way to my lips.
“I am. Thanks for coming.”
“Just doing my boyfriendy duty,” he teases before kissing me, and like always, Miles’s kisses make me almost giddy. Who knew having sex or touching someone you have feelings for was so much better? Any kind of intimacy has always been great to me, but it’s even better with him.
We get out of the car, and I take his hand, holding it as we approach the large, Tudor-style house.
I’m so distracted with having Miles with me, I don’t knock like I usually do when I come home. I didn’t text Cedric first either, so he’s not waiting for me, playing buffer.
I close the door behind us, and just before I call out Cedric’s name, I hear him yell, “What the fuck is this, Dad?”
Great. Is my father making a big deal about Miles coming with me? I probably should have checked in again with Cedric, but fuck that. Shouldn’t a parent want to meet their child’s boyfriend? Doesn’t it make him happy that I’m sticking with one guy instead of acting slutty, something he’s accused me of more than once?
“It’s none of your business!” Dad shouts back.
The two of them rarely fight, and when they do, it’s always about me. What could I have done before I even arrived, unless it has to do with Miles? If my father doesn’t want to meet my boyfriend, then he’s not going to spend the holiday with me either. We’re a package deal.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” I tease Miles. I’m about to head down the hallway toward my dad’s office, where the voices are coming from, when they continue.
“This says Dax isn’t…”
My heart stumbles. Dax isn’t what? What did I do?
“Hey, maybe we should…” Miles says softly.
“Shh.”
I step closer to the partly open door.
“My son. No.”
Dizziness hits me, nearly knocking me off my feet.
I’m not his son? What the fuck is he talking about? For whatever fucking reason, he doesn’t love me like a son, but that doesn’t make me not his.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Cedric says.
“I assure you, it does. The DNA results you dug out of my locked desk drawer tell you right there. Why were you going through my things?”
“I was looking for my birth certificate.” There’s a pause between them where I wonder what’s happening, and then my brother’s voice is softer, sadder when he asks, “How did you find out? How long have you known?”
I should say something. I should let them know I’m here or turn around and walk out, but I can’t make myself do either. I’m not his son. How could I not be his son? I can’t process this. Cedric is older, and he’s Dad’s son, right? Or maybe neither of us is?
Miles’s hand tightens on mine, offering support, tugging me closer like he doesn’t want me to hear this, but I can’t move. I need to know what he’s talking about.
“I’ve always known…or rather, since right after he was born. Your mother cheated on me. She almost left me, but she didn’t know if he was mine or… We did a DNA test, but the man she was in love with left her. He didn’t want a child, and I didn’t want a scandal or public embarrassment, so she stayed, and I raised him as my own.”
I shake my head, pull my hand from Miles’s and cover my ears as if that will change what I already heard, as if, if I don’t hear anymore, it won’t be true. How can any of this be true? He’s lying. He must be. My mother would never do that. She loved him, loved all of us. She was honest and good and fuck him for making this shit up. I drop my hands, needing to hear more.
“You’re lying,” Cedric says, plucking the thought from my head.
“Don’t act like a child, Cedric. It doesn’t suit you. Clearly, I’m not lying. Now if you’ll excuse me—”