“At first it was because I couldn’t get a hold of him to let him know I was pregnant, then after that, after I lied the first time … it just became easier to stick with the lie. I didn’t want you to get hurt,” Chloe said, speaking through her own tears.
“We know you’re confused and upset, Chris, but we’re here for you. I’ll answer any questions you have, I’d just like the chance to get to know you,” I cut in, trying to give Chloe a chance to compose herself. “Why don’t we give you both some time to cool down. I’ll take you back to my hotel. We can check in, grab some dinner, maybe a swim … What do you say?”
“I’ll go grab my stuff,” he said, not looking at his mom, who was sitting on the couch, watching him
with devastated eyes.
When he left the room I asked, “Are you okay?”
Chloe wiped at her cheeks and took a deep breath.
“He just needs time,” I said, hoping to reassure her. “He’ll realize you only had his best interests at heart.”
“You think so?” she asked, and I felt the pain on her face deep in my gut.
“That’s the kind of kid you raised,” I replied softly, pleased when she gave me a small smile.
“Call me and let me know how he’s doing?” Chloe asked.
“You got it,” I said, then rose, eager to get some time alone with my son.
Chapter Thirty-Six ~ Zoey
The pounding on the door echoed the pounding in my head as I struggled to sit up and come fully awake. Pulling the slash tightly around my waist, I rose from my bed and hobbled to the door, wondering nervously if Gabe had ignored my wishes and came back.
I could see the silhouette of my sister through the pane of glass in my front door. There was a moment where I thought of easing back from the door and pretending I was gone, even though my car was sitting right in the driveway, but I told myself I wasn’t a coward and opened the door.
Chloe’s face was ravaged with tears and her hair was coming out of her ponytail, looking as if she’d rubbed a balloon on her head to make static electricity.
I’d never seen my sister look so disheveled.
My concern outweighed my anger, so I took her hand and drew her inside.
“Are you okay?” I asked as I shut the door behind her and ushered her to the couch.
“He hh–hh – hhates me,” she sobbed, falling into my arms.
“Shhhh,” I murmured, caressing her back as she trembled in my arms. “Just give him time. He’ll come around.”
I held her until her breathing evened out and she pulled back, embarrassment flooding her face as she wiped at her cheeks with the heel of her palms.
“Sorry,” she began.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I replied, rising to grab the box of tissues off of my desk and handing it to her.
“Yes, I do,” Chloe replied, her eyes watching me warily. “For so many things … Crying on your shoulder being the least of them.”
“Chlo…”
“No, please Zoey, let me talk.”
At my nod she continued, “I’m so sorry for the mess I’ve made of everything. For the lies, the years of lies. For not coming clean about why I backed out of going to the camp … and not saying anything when I heard the excitement in your voice when you talked about Gabriel Lewis. I was selfish, and afraid, and I wish I could take it all back.”
“I know you do,” I replied, placing my hand over hers.
“What are you going to do? About Gabriel?”
“I don’t know, Chloe, I really don’t. I like him, could even love him, but I just don’t know if I’m strong enough to get past all of this,”