“Plus, Jules, kids are all so different. Maybe he’s advanced for his age or just a big kid.”
“That’s true so it’s possible. But let’s say his birthday really is end of March like she claims…” Jules counted under her breath. “Was she already with someone so soon?”
“No, she said it was a one night mistake.”
“So, sleeping around?”
“Yeah—yeah, I guess.” I hated that possibility too.
“People who aren’t in a good place emotionally can make bad decisions. I know better than most. When did she get with the psycho guy?” Jules reminded me of Nancy Drew and fighting the temptation to hang up on her made my jaw ache.
“I don’t actually know.”
I didn’t like the way any of this looked. Either she was keeping my son from me, she played the field pretty quickly after our divorce, or Kacey was Chris’ son. She vehemently denied Kacey was Chris’, but maybe she was lying? The idea Miranda and Kacey could be permanently tied to that abusive piece of garbage was plausible. My fists clenched. Fierce protectiveness quickened my breathing. I’d take any explanation over that one.
Jules continued. “Look, I’m not going to tell you what to do or think. But, as your sister, I’m letting you know…something feels off about Kacey.” She took a deep breath. “You are the most intuitive and observant person I know. But you’re blind here because you want to believe the best about Miranda. The Miranda we used to know would never do anything crappy or spiteful, but situations aren’t always what they seem. And life has a funny way of changing people. For the better or for the worse.”
I said nothing.
“You there?”
I sighed. My swallow was painful and my lungs couldn’t fully expand. “I’m—I’m here.”
“I made you sad.” Her words were soft and apologetic.
“No, no. You didn’t.”
“What’s wrong?”
So many things. Jules and I had hit a couple rough patchesin our adult life. But we recently promised to be honest with each other. Which was difficult for both of us. In order to be honest with each other, it meant being honest with ourselves first.
The truth squeezed out of my tight throat. “I do—I do care about her, Jules.”
“Aw, Jack.” Emotion swelled in her voice.
“You’re going to worry about me now I’ve admitted it.”
“You didn’t have to admit it. I knew.”
“Maybe I should be angry at her, but when I saw the bruise, and the way she kept looking over her shoulder…”
Jules sniffed.
“I wanted to do whatever was necessary to make sure the two of them were safe. But I feel like a big idiot now. Maybe I should’ve left it alone. She’s made her choices.”
“No.” Jules’ voice wobbled. “There’s nothing wrong with loving her, Jack.”
Despite our history, nothing had changed for me. I’d been in love with her since the apple crisp. Felt good to admit it.
“I’m being cautious because I love you. I want you to have your eyes wide open and know this might not end the way you want it to.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “You want to hear what Pat said, though?”
Between the three of us, Pat was the Sage. We both knew he was right a grand majority of the time. “Definitely.”
“He said this was your second chance, and he’d lose respect if you didn’t capitalize.”
TWENTY
Miranda
